I have the same lift on my Cherokee, and my axle was also pushed back like yours. It also rode like crap, so I bought some CAD brackets and it solved both problems. Don't believe the hype with long arms, they aren't needed.

 

i agree. i went from R.E 5.5 extreme kit with drop brackets to clayton clone long arms and there really wasn't any notice between the two except when flexing. but with the drop brackets it still flexed like a ****.

never once did i get hooked up on the drop brackets. rode great. i still have all my R.E parts and will probably put them in my little xj as my other xj has R.E 4.5 kit right now.

so in short, get the R.E drop brackets. it will be well worth it. and cheaper them long arms.

 

The drop brackets are the cheapest for sure but who wants to lose all that clearance for them. I personally would hang them up on logs across the trail for sure a lot of the time where I wheel at and on rocks. I went with the Adj. U/LCA's just for the reasons you stated and pinion angle knowing that my plan was to go with long arms down the road.


Several kits are really nice like the Clayton, bleeoffroad, TnT all make good long arm kits as do others. There is a reason you see so many people running them and then those wanting to lol.

 

Okay, for now I'll look around for some adjustable lower control arms to put in there. Don't currently have the funds for long arms. I don't really like the idea of losing any ground clearance with drop brackets and my on road ride isn't that bad.

 

If the drop brackets get hung up, it is most likely when going in reverse. Regardless, the benefit will outweigh that drawback. Will also keep the axle from tucking rearward under the jeep when drooped.

 

I had this issue when in Moab. Using arms for a 3" on a 5" lift. when at full articulation, the springs would "pop" on the bumpstops. Now running Adjustables, and my axle is recentered.