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6.5" vs 4.5" long arm?

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Old 11-18-2016, 03:37 PM
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Default 6.5" vs 4.5" long arm?

It's about that time to order a long arm lift. I've been stuck between 6.5" or 4.5". My fenders are already trimmed a good bit and I will be running 35's. I've seen 35's ran with a 4.5" long arm lift, but I want the most flex possible. Also by getting the 6.5" I don't wanna be too tall. Any input from you guys??
Old 11-18-2016, 03:40 PM
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Why not go in the middle and run 5.5.

A lot of it depends on how much ground clearance you want/need. What kind of terrain you plan on wheeling, how much up travel you want/need. 4.5 will require a lot more bump stopping to keep from rubbing which limits your up travel.

Both have their pros and cons.
Old 11-18-2016, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by LACK
Why not go in the middle and run 5.5.

A lot of it depends on how much ground clearance you want/need. What kind of terrain you plan on wheeling, how much up travel you want/need. 4.5 will require a lot more bump stopping to keep from rubbing which limits your up travel.

Both have their pros and cons.

Yeah 5.5 would probably be perfect. It will mostly be used for wheeling. Will not be a daily driver.
Old 11-18-2016, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bjefferies94
Yeah 5.5 would probably be perfect. It will mostly be used for wheeling. Will not be a daily driver.
For my 3 link I plan on going with RE 5.5 coils up front which actually net around 6" from what ive heard. But with a bumper, winch, etc should be back down a little bit.

For the rear im going with 3.5 leafs, +1" shackle and shackle relocation brackets that adds around an inch to an inch and a half.
Old 11-18-2016, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by LACK
For my 3 link I plan on going with RE 5.5 coils up front which actually net around 6" from what ive heard. But with a bumper, winch, etc should be back down a little bit.

For the rear im going with 3.5 leafs, +1" shackle and shackle relocation brackets that adds around an inch to an inch and a half.
What brand of long arms are ya going with??
Old 11-18-2016, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bjefferies94
What brand of long arms are ya going with??
Cav Fab's alpha 3 link. They are about to realease a new kit. For the price it cant be beat IMO.

http://cavfab.com/CavFab-Jeep-Cherok...Link_p_61.html


Check out this thread. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/ca...24775/index13/
Old 11-18-2016, 05:34 PM
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That looks pretty sick right there
Old 11-19-2016, 05:44 AM
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I do not understand when people say you will need to bump stop more with a lower lift. The lift height doesn't change the location of the frame. I understand you will hit your bumpstops more with a lower lift, but I do not understand why you would need longer bump stops with a lower lift. What am I missing?

I would suggest 4.5", then use spacers if you want to go higher.
Old 11-19-2016, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by bjefferies94
That looks pretty sick right there
Yeah that looks pretty awesome. If that kit would have existed when I built my xj I would have bought it for sure.
Old 11-19-2016, 09:47 AM
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It depends on where you plan on wheeling at and the conditions you will see.


I chose a 4 1/2" lift to keep my center of gravity down as I'm in the National Forest's a lot and many of the trails are off camber big time. That along with the fact of low hanging tree limbs, no big time crawling where I go just trails a lot of them on private ground where you can make your own.
Old 11-19-2016, 01:06 PM
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Itll be on some tough trails, lots of rocks and flexing. But i guess my best bet would be to get a 4.5" and go up with spacers or 5.5" coils if needed
Old 11-20-2016, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by bjefferies94
Itll be on some tough trails, lots of rocks and flexing. But i guess my best bet would be to get a 4.5" and go up with spacers or 5.5" coils if needed

You could also use a 1" Boomerang Shackle (very good flex) and a ACOS spacer in the front to adj. for any height you desire
Old 11-20-2016, 10:35 AM
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I agree with going in the middle. 5.5" of lift is perfect for 35's! I'm on Clayton long arms and running Metalcloak 3.5" springs w/ ACOS spacers up front and Clayton 4.5" leafs w/ Clayton shackles (adjusted to +2.5" to compensate for the added weight of the bumper) in the rear. With pretty much exactly 5.5" all around.

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Old 11-21-2016, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by bad_idea
I do not understand when people say you will need to bump stop more with a lower lift. The lift height doesn't change the location of the frame. I understand you will hit your bumpstops more with a lower lift, but I do not understand why you would need longer bump stops with a lower lift. What am I missing?

I would suggest 4.5", then use spacers if you want to go higher.
I reckon that it would all depend on tire size. If you lift and keep the stock tire size, then the stock bumpstops will be fine, but if you go bigger tires with a smaller lift, you should bumpstop to keep it from eating into your fenders. Course this all depends on how much trimming is done.
Old 11-21-2016, 10:21 AM
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^ What he said ^

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