If I get adjustable lower control arms, will I need to get adjustable uppers as well? Or can I still have fixed uppers with adjustable lowers? Any insite would be greatly apreciated.

 

What is it you want to do?
The stock stamped arms are very weak and bend easily. That being said, initially replacing the lower arms on stock or 3" or less lift with non adjustable HD ones will help the strength issue. Adding adj. or 'flex' ends will not help all that much plus you will be limited by the stock upper arms.
The better way especially for 3-6" lifts is to replace both upper and lower arms with adj. flex HD type arms. That is what I did.
Why go thru all that labor of just replacing the lowers when the uppers are not that much more. Save your money and do both together.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

ok i didnt give enough details. Right now i have the RE 3.5 lift. I want to add 2 inch spacers up front and a 1 inch shackle in the rear just to level it out and get it just a tad higher. I just dont know if the lowers that came with the 3.5 lift are long enough for another 2 inches up front. I still have stock uppers with the RE fixed lowers. My real question is, will i need longer lower arms for 2 more inches of lift, and if i do need longer lowers, and i get adjustable ones, is it necessary to get adjustable uppers?

 

Yes you will need longer lowers. See chart.

Control Arm Length Application Chart
For Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

Lift...........Lower Control Arms/Upper Control Arms
********Decimal**Fraction**Decimal**Fraction
Stock........15.75.......15 ¾........15.00.......15
2”.............15.92.......16............14.88 .... ...15
3”.............16.09.......16............14.92 .... ...15
4”.............16.33.......16 3/8......15.03.......15
4.5”..........16.47.......16 ½........15.11.......15
5”.............16.62.......16 5/8......15.21.......15 ¼
6”.............16.97.......17............15.44 .... ...15 ½
7”.............17.36.......17 3/8......15.74.......15 ¾
8”.............17.81.......17 ¾........16.09.......16
9”.............18.30.......18 ¼........16.50.......16 ½
10”...........18.82.......18 ¾........16.96.......17

 

id rather have a fixed lower for what ever size lift u have and have adjustable uppers i hate adjustable lower's...i have a RC 4.5" lift with rustys fixed control arm for a 6.5" lift and they work perfect but i do wish i would have ordered the adjustable uppers

 

ok that helps. but do i have to have adjustable uppers and lowers? or can i just have adjustable lowers and get adjustable uppers later on? not really worried about flex too much at this point as the budget is not quite there yet. its either adjustable lowers now, or wait to put spacers and shackles on untill i get uppers and lowers.

 

id get adjustable uppers first bc u r in the same boat as me and we have LP dana 30's and u will be wasting ur money if u buy just lowers

 

The only thing I'm concerned about is that the lowers may be to short.

 

ok well iv been there and done that and with LP axle it easy to make the front drive shaft bind up

 

How would you make it bind? Just wondering. I guess I don't know enough about what the control arms are actually used for. I just thought they kept the axle from moving forward or back. I'm still learning so excuse me for being so concerned. But any help is good help.

 

if u just put longer lowers it will twist the bottom of the axle down winch on a low pinion will make the front drive shaft bind thats what happened to me

 

Oh I get it now. So if I had adjustable uppers i would adjust those to keep the right pinion angle. And I could still have fixed lowers. Thanks a lot for you help!

 

u got...anytime

 

Ok so control arms keep the axles centered in the wheel well. And keep the angle so the axles don't bind. What's the benefits of adjustable lowers rather than adjustable uppers? Or vs? I'm guessing the best bet scenario would be adjustable lowers AND uppers? I am currently stock on my ZJ and going up 3". Found a deal on LCAs for $20. Otherwise I'd probably just wait and by adjustables.

 

I think I'm going to go ahead and get adjustable uppers with the fixes lowers and get adjustable lowers later on if I find that I really need them after all adjustments are made.