long arm build
 

So I got a ruff stuff diy long arm kit.
I built them as radius arms. When I go to tons next year or so I'll be 're doing them as a 3 link.
Let get started.
First you gotta mock it up so you get the idea of what your building

Attachment 263090

Now that you have an idea of what your doing you need to decide on how you will be mounting these to the unibody. You can do that with the provided brackets welded directly to the frame or build/buy a long arm crossmember.
I chose to use the provided hangers and weld them directly behind the stock crossmember. (This is because I will soon be going to tons and I wanted to keep it cheap and simple for now)
Now you can begin tack welding, cutting, grooving the dom, heims, and brackets.
I built and cut the lowers to length first after tacking the frame side bracket.


Attachment 263091



Attachment 263092



Attachment 263093

Tig welded the bushing end cause it looked sweet!
Everything else was mig welded
Then after you get the lowers the length you want you need to weld the lower bracket on the lower arm for the upper link. I chose to put mine 14 and 5/8ths in from mounting hole at the bushing.


Attachment 263094



Attachment 263095



Attachment 263097

Now you can cut your uppers to length and weld the upper mounting bracket on the arm for the upper.


Attachment 263098

Finish up welding the frame hanger, and tighten all your bolts.
One side complete!

Attachment 263099


Repeat process for other side:)
By the way, I'm only 19 and no way in heck I'm that good of a welder so thanks to my buddy's boss Rocky for the sweet welding he did today!

More pictures, overall ride quality has improved greatly.
Can't wait to beat them on the rocks!


Attachment 263130



Attachment 263131

No love for the long arms?!? Geez y'all are a tough crowd this week:stuart:

looks great man. Can't wait to long arm mine. Looks like it would be a good base kit to SAS my brothers Ford Ranger.

Do you have frame stiffeners or did you just weld them to the unibody frame? Why didn't you just build a three link now instead of having to convert it over later down the road? The HD Offroad brackets make it really simple, btw.

I think it looks good other than that.

that's what I was wondering Frame stiffies?

And, not that its a huge deal, but I would have built a replacement crossmember that will house the joints flush with the bottom of the crossmember or frame for hopes of a flat belly when all said and done. Where you have the brackets is encroaching on roughly where I would land rear 4 link frame brackets, but again thats only on my rig. I approve!

Agreed with 94XJ, but a sweet setup for a 19 year old for sure. You could always do the suggestions later and grind off the tabs.

There are hd stiffeners under them brackets. I can easily go 3 link when I do my tons. I just wanted to keep it simple with the d30 for now.
And yes 94 xj, those arms will be freaking rock anchors for sure! They will get slid on like crazy. Again, just wanted to keep it simple until I tear it down for tons

nice welds. a problem I have with my setup is at full bump, the lower arms actually come in contact with the frame. how close do yours get at full bump?

They hit. But I still need to do more trimming of the stock lower control arm bracket.

I use mine as bump stops. what could possibly go wrong!

Lol, just notch out the unibody;)

Well guys atoms and 94xjsport94 we're right. Should have built a 3 link with a crossmember to raise the lowers up a tad. They were rock anchors at Arbuckle offroad park. Also the radius arms folded my stock uca tower and I crushed the stock lca brackets on the axle. Ruff stuff lca and uca tower will fix all this.
Don't get me wrong I love the long arms I just put alot of work into them when I could have gone a step farther and done a 3 link.
Ohh well when I get tons I'll turn em into a 3 link without too much trouble.
These things will droop my axle about 14" if I don't have shocks on her! My 12" travel shocks max out lol

if it's any consolation you have definitely done some of the nicer fab work on this forum. I hope this pushes you to get on that 1 ton swap ASAP because I want to see how it turns out