Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

6.5 inch short arm

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:30 PM
  #1  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default 6.5 inch short arm

Is anyone else running a 6.5 inch short arm setup? I heard that's too much for short arm. I need to replace my upper control arm bushing at the unibody for the third time and was considering getting a forged joint end through rustys..the brand I have..to eliminate this.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:31 PM
  #2  
helmut's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Frankfort IL
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by gthbryce
Is anyone else running a 6.5 inch short arm setup? I heard that's too much for short arm. I need to replace my upper control arm bushing at the unibody for the third time and was considering getting a forged joint end through rustys..the brand I have..to eliminate this.
You better be using drop brackets at 6.5 with short arms.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:32 PM
  #3  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Both upper and lower are fixed not adjustible btw.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:34 PM
  #4  
Axel1831's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
Default

Originally Posted by gthbryce
Both upper and lower are fixed not adjustible btw.
Then itd be a good idea to get drop brackets. It will increase ride quality and it will let the short arms work better.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:34 PM
  #5  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by helmut

You better be using drop brackets at 6.5 with short arms.
I bought it like this... and can do u turns on the steepest san fransisco streets on a dime without any tipping problems as far as that goes..
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:35 PM
  #6  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I've heard drop brackets cause hang ups and such? Aren't they just band aids to a failure suspension lift?
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:37 PM
  #7  
Axel1831's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
Default

Originally Posted by gthbryce
I bought it like this... and can do u turns on the steepest san fransisco streets on a dime without any tipping problems as far as that goes..
Drop brackets will make the length work correctly. At 4.5 and 5" of lift stock control arms can be used with a drop bracket. So putting in drop brackets will let the short arms do their jobs at that height in lift.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:39 PM
  #8  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Rustys lower arms are j shaped and dip unlike other short arm kits where they are straight. Did they design it that way so a drop bracket was not.needed?
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:40 PM
  #9  
Axel1831's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
Default

Originally Posted by gthbryce
I've heard drop brackets cause hang ups and such? Aren't they just band aids to a failure suspension lift?
From my experience and the info ive read NO. But you can always run long arms. With most drop kits. Its not handing down far enough to really get caught on anything.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:42 PM
  #10  
Axel1831's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
Default

Originally Posted by gthbryce
Rustys lower arms are j shaped and dip unlike other short arm kits where they are straight. Did they design it that way so a drop bracket was not.needed?
That i cant answer. Ive told ya what i know with drop brackets and everything. Hopefully someone who is currently running your kind of set up can help.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:46 PM
  #11  
89eliminator's Avatar
aka Wade-O
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 10
From: IN
Year: 1989 Comanche
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

they are bent to clear the shock mount on the axle. drop brackets arent a band-aid either. just an alternative to long arms. i ran 6.5" coils with short arms for a few years. yeah it works, but can be improved upon greatly.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 08:55 PM
  #12  
helmut's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Frankfort IL
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The drop brackets have nothing to do with tipping over. You could either get them to put the arms more level or get long arms. At 6.5in they are so constantly at droop so you loose a lot of flex as they cannot go much further. Also the ride sucks.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 09:24 PM
  #13  
brookhart63's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: cedar rapids
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 ohh
Default

Originally Posted by helmut
The drop brackets have nothing to do with tipping over. You could either get them to put the arms more level or get long arms. At 6.5in they are so constantly at droop so you loose a lot of flex as they cannot go much further. Also the ride sucks.
^this. Regardless of what you do, drop brackets or long arms, I'm certain it will be an improvement over what you have now.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 09:52 PM
  #14  
gthbryce's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The lower control arm mounts on the later models are notched out so the control arm has unlimited movement though right? I was thinking of going long arm anyways but moneys money
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 10:39 PM
  #15  
brookhart63's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: cedar rapids
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 ohh
Default

? What? Do you know much about suspension systems? Travel can be limited by a number of different things, not just LCA.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:32 AM.