Long Arms or Bilsteins?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Grants Pass
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Long Arms or Bilsteins?
So I was planning on puttiln long arms on my xj to get a better ride and flex but I was also reading that Bilsteins or other high end shocks really make a difference with ride. Which one will make the ride smoother? I'm assuming the shocks but I figured I'd ask.
#3
New shocks will contribute to a better ride on the road, and you can only flex as much as your shocks will let you. So if you can max out your shock without the suspension binding, you will need a longer shock for more flex. Long arms will only give you more flex if you get a shock with more travel.
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flint/Asheville
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
another cheap alternative would be drop brackets to get the control arms closer to stock angles. Idk if they yours are that bad but dont expect a lifted jeep to drive like a caddy
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 rebuilt w/ bored TB, banks header, upgraded ignition, 3 row rad, high flow h2o pump, 180* t-stat
ya but longarms will improve the ride WAYYYY more than new shocks
and provide more flex. true shocks CAN act like a limiting strap, but at that amount of flex, youll stretch/tear a brake line before you reach your shock limit.
besides shocks arent that tough, they'll give at some point, ask me how i know (check my build thread, i popped the eye right off my shock hehe)
i vote longarms, youll be alot happier i the long run....
oh and look here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tru...ng-arms-40199/
LOTS of good info
and provide more flex. true shocks CAN act like a limiting strap, but at that amount of flex, youll stretch/tear a brake line before you reach your shock limit.
besides shocks arent that tough, they'll give at some point, ask me how i know (check my build thread, i popped the eye right off my shock hehe)
i vote longarms, youll be alot happier i the long run....
oh and look here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tru...ng-arms-40199/
LOTS of good info
Last edited by tannerp89; 06-21-2010 at 12:18 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Effingham, N.H.
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
If you have the money for a long arm then I would go for it. The only issue is as stated above, you will want new longer shocks for the long arms to flex more. If you plan on going to 6" I would get long arms. I am at 6"s with short arms and it's stiff as hell, doesn't bother me but I know the ride would be a lot better with long arms.
#7
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
ya but longarms will improve the ride WAYYYY more than new shocks
and provide more flex. true shocks are a limiting strap, but at that amount of flex, youll stretch/tear a brake line before you reach your shock limit.
besides shocks arent that tough, they'll give at some point, ask me how i know (check my build thread, i popped the eye right off my shock hehe)
i vote longarms, youll be alot happier i the long run....
oh and look here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tru...ng-arms-40199/
LOTS of good info
and provide more flex. true shocks are a limiting strap, but at that amount of flex, youll stretch/tear a brake line before you reach your shock limit.
besides shocks arent that tough, they'll give at some point, ask me how i know (check my build thread, i popped the eye right off my shock hehe)
i vote longarms, youll be alot happier i the long run....
oh and look here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tru...ng-arms-40199/
LOTS of good info
regarding what length. do not trust what ever the manufactor tells you will work wit your lift. flex it out and measure your compressed and extended lengths!
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 rebuilt w/ bored TB, banks header, upgraded ignition, 3 row rad, high flow h2o pump, 180* t-stat
i never said they are MEANT as a limiting strap, obviously you shouldnt over extend your shocks, like DUH.
and hes right about measuring for shocks first, i wish mine were longer, but went with the shocks that came with the kit. im on short arms tho so...
and hes right about measuring for shocks first, i wish mine were longer, but went with the shocks that came with the kit. im on short arms tho so...
#9
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
then why did you say this? just copying what you typed. dont want to lead someone on thinking their shocks are limiting straps just like you said.
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 rebuilt w/ bored TB, banks header, upgraded ignition, 3 row rad, high flow h2o pump, 180* t-stat
why anyone would think your SUPPOSED to use a shock as limiting strap is beyond me, i was simply stating that they CAN and DO act as a limiting strap.
move along....
#11
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
lol wow. Again NO and they CANT be use as limiting straps. you WILL destroy them. lol
#12
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 rebuilt w/ bored TB, banks header, upgraded ignition, 3 row rad, high flow h2o pump, 180* t-stat
DID YOU READ THE REST OF MY POST
no **** you'll destroy them, look in my build thread, been there done that....
like i said, i wish i had longer shocks, cause mine act as limiting straps
and nowhere in there did i state you SHOULD or CAN use shocks as a limiting strap
i was simply refering to the fact that too short of shocks CAN and DO act as limiting straps
no **** you'll destroy them, look in my build thread, been there done that....
like i said, i wish i had longer shocks, cause mine act as limiting straps
and nowhere in there did i state you SHOULD or CAN use shocks as a limiting strap
i was simply refering to the fact that too short of shocks CAN and DO act as limiting straps
#13
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
dont want to lead someone and them destroy their shock because you said the above
#14
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 rebuilt w/ bored TB, banks header, upgraded ignition, 3 row rad, high flow h2o pump, 180* t-stat
it wasnt advice, it was a statement.
im done with you
im done with you
#15
Seasoned Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wy & OK
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 83 CJ7 & '96 XJ & '97 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 258ci, 4.0 & 4.0
Wow, I got it! I was laughing the first time you said it, I was thinking back when one of my shocks on my CJ-7 became a limiting strap, it pulled the top mount out of the frame.
I also broke a mount on a 65 Scout back in the late 70's when a shock compressed all the but there was still wheel travel to be had, so the Scout was standing on the shock!
I also broke a mount on a 65 Scout back in the late 70's when a shock compressed all the but there was still wheel travel to be had, so the Scout was standing on the shock!