Flexing
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Im supprised that nobody has mentioned this, but a 3 or 4 link is gona flex more than a y-link.
And ill second for clayton. I have there y-link and its amazing. I couldent do the 3 link because i dont have enough lift.
And ill second for clayton. I have there y-link and its amazing. I couldent do the 3 link because i dont have enough lift.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL6
Technically, based on the geometry of the various lift designs you will get more flex out of a 3 link system than any other. A 3 link will allow for the most droop before any of your suspension components start to bind. Technically a properly triangulated 4 link would flex just as good, or better, but to get the correct triangulation you would need to relocate the axle control arm mounds. The Rock Krawler 3 link flexes better than any other pre-made lift kit out there that I have seen. Of course you can get tons of flex and droop but if your springs are not long enough to keep pressure on the tire then you wont get much traction. I personally have a Rough Country long arm kit and I like the amount of flex I get, but if I had to do it again I would build my own 3 link.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
^^clayton tested both their long arm system and their 3 link and admitted to seeing no worthy gains in flex. They did however emphasize that the 3 link is much stronger and they would recommend it for competition guys.
I dont know if the tests had any biases. And I think the article is on pirate somewhere. Just FYI
I dont know if the tests had any biases. And I think the article is on pirate somewhere. Just FYI
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 IL6
I would think that technically the 3 piece clayton crossmember is a bit weaker than a 1 piece unit but it would be quite difficult to break either. The reason they make it a 3 piece is so you can service the transmission and transfer case without having to remove your long arms. It is bolted together with 8 grade 8 bolts so I dont think it would end up being a weak point in the setup. I have the rough country crossmember which is one-piece and if I have to swap out the tranfer case again I will probably be wishing it was a 3 piece.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
The clayton 3 peice xmember is solid. The uni body rails are gona get bend before you break the crossmember.
Last edited by Drewjharper1900; May 29, 2012 at 04:47 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: SIERRA VISTA AZ
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 CYL



