4.5"-6.5" or 7" lift
right now I have a 4.5" lift and want to go to 6.5 or 7 inches. my question is what do I need to do this? I know ill need bigger springs and shocks, a sye, longer brake lines. do I NEED a long arm kit? what else do I need or need to do? I don't go muddin a crazy amount maybe once a month, once every 2 months as of right now
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I went from about 4'' to 6.5'' parts, but ended up at 7'' due to coil spacer to compensate for bumper weight, and I added leaf box sliders on my full 6.5 pack, which put me up a little bit.
You don't need a long arm kit. I have a couple buddies who run the same height, all on short arms. I ran them too for a while, however the angle was so steep that between that and my full 6.5 pack on stock shackles, my ride was pretty bad. I went to long arms and have loved it. You may also want a custom driveshaft. I did the hack n tap, and used a buddy's unbalanced shaft for a while, it was OK until it broke months later. Had it retubed/extended for $300 and it's perfect now. Shims may be nice too. I've been meaning to put mine on.
You don't need a long arm kit. I have a couple buddies who run the same height, all on short arms. I ran them too for a while, however the angle was so steep that between that and my full 6.5 pack on stock shackles, my ride was pretty bad. I went to long arms and have loved it. You may also want a custom driveshaft. I did the hack n tap, and used a buddy's unbalanced shaft for a while, it was OK until it broke months later. Had it retubed/extended for $300 and it's perfect now. Shims may be nice too. I've been meaning to put mine on.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'd say you do need long arms. In my experience with short arms on 4.5" lift you need either limit straps or long arms. I've been happy flex wise but they have massive drawbacks when compared to long arms. In the end I bottomed out my front axle at a higher speed and bent the **** out of my brackets and an LCA. 4.5" and short arms was working well. Not comfortable. But served their purpose for the price. But I like to beat on my rig so I'm finally making the upgrade. And 5.5" and up I'd say long arms are a must
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 11
From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
over 5" you should have long arms or drop brackets, extended brake lines, upgraded steering, SYE, and of course the appropriate length shocks. once you go to 7" you need long arms and over the knuckle or crossover steering.
sorry, but people who say "you can get away with..." are idiots. going that high REALLY changes the way the jeep handles and IMHO isnt safe unless you do it right.
sorry, but people who say "you can get away with..." are idiots. going that high REALLY changes the way the jeep handles and IMHO isnt safe unless you do it right.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
over 5" you should have long arms or drop brackets, extended brake lines, upgraded steering, SYE, and of course the appropriate length shocks. once you go to 7" you need long arms and over the knuckle or crossover steering.
sorry, but people who say "you can get away with..." are idiots. going that high REALLY changes the way the jeep handles and IMHO isnt safe unless you do it right.
sorry, but people who say "you can get away with..." are idiots. going that high REALLY changes the way the jeep handles and IMHO isnt safe unless you do it right.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
short arms: 4 arms attached to the body in 4 different places
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/of...xj-mj-comanche
long arms: attached in only 2 places and usually replace/attach to the crossmember
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...4-7.5-S-A-Lift
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/of...xj-mj-comanche
long arms: attached in only 2 places and usually replace/attach to the crossmember
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...4-7.5-S-A-Lift
short arms: 4 arms attached to the body in 4 different places
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/of...xj-mj-comanche
long arms: attached in only 2 places and usually replace/attach to the crossmember
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...4-7.5-S-A-Lift
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/of...xj-mj-comanche
long arms: attached in only 2 places and usually replace/attach to the crossmember
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...4-7.5-S-A-Lift
It really depends on which style the long arm kit is.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton, GA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 6
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
I've got a control arm drop with my 6.5 inch lift. Long arms are okay, but depends what you use your Jeep for. Long arms are good for articulation.
You can get longer springs, or blocks and spacers. A SYE is a must.
You can get longer springs, or blocks and spacers. A SYE is a must.
I didn't say radius arm setup, and neither did you until now.
Hardly splitting hairs when trying to explain about long arm kits with someone that is new to the long arm aspect.
Hardly splitting hairs when trying to explain about long arm kits with someone that is new to the long arm aspect.


