CrawlerXJ

I know the post is old. I used the search

Can I use the control arm that came with my Zone Offroad lift? Or do I have to use the stock ones I threw away?

Thanks

Search and destroy

There just longer, so really it depends but I would say it doesn't matter. The biggest change will be caster. I would try and get adjustable uppers if there fixed lowers.

CrawlerXJ

So, with Zone CA the caster will not align? I thought this helped all this? I am looking for better ride, not more issues. lol

Search and destroy

They're longer to fix it with no cad but the angle it will put it out at won't really effect it. You'll probably just have no ca shims in there. Theres a Lot of people who do run it without problems.

caged

my 5.5 inch RE lift came with drop brackets. the drop brackets are basically dropping the mounting points the same amount the springs lift so it keeps factory settings. my fixed RE control arms were stock length, but as mentioned, longer fixed lowers will push the axle forward slightly, so at least adjustable uppers can set the castor.

but if the upper and lower controls arms used are a match, you should theoretically be fine as the control arm drop brackets drop both the upper and lowers the same amount.

yarom

I looked at a number of solutions before going with the RC brackets. I am generally not a big fan of their products (my lift is RE). They are as stout as any other solution and once installed properly, work very well. Welding is optional but not necessary if the bolts are inspected and tight. The RE kit is not much different, other that the longer braces...

As for the arms, when lifting above a certain point (4" ?) the front axle pulls back closer to the rear of the wheel well - that's just geometry. I found it necessary to use adjustable LCAs to center the wheel in the opening (push a bit forward) for better clearance. I also used adjustable UCAs to tilt the axle for a better angle to the shaft and to facilitate alignment overall.

CrawlerXJ

Zone emailed me. Very vague. Not cool. But, they said the lower is longer. What is the stock measurement?

caged

stock is somewhere around 15.75" or something like that.

CrawlerXJ

Ill measure it in a few and post back.

Here is Rocky Road email reply. What does that mean? Clueless.

"Our CAD system has adjustable pocket depth so that castor can properly be set. So you can compensate if your control arms end up being a bit long. Shouldn't be a problem".

AVjeeper

The drop brackets (DB) push your control arm rear mounts forward .5"-1" to adjust for geometry and lift so with the drop brackets your control arms should be stock length.
I figured this out the hard way. I upgraded my 4" lift with DB and my axle ended up being too far forward by 1" because my arms were already longer to adjust for the lift. I started wearing out my double shear track bar bushing.

The only thing I don't like about the RE is drilling out the UCA rear mount bolt hole to .5". There's no going back after that. Otherwise it's great.
Here is a decent write up.
http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/re_db.html
There are several more write ups easily searched for.

Jason

CrawlerXJ

Hey Jason,

Sounds like they will not work with the Zone kit then even though Rocky Road said they will?

ohio95xj

I ordered the rc drop brackets yesterday, i just ordered the lower x flex control arms with it, rc started using different material for the x flex joints so they don't wear out like the used to

BNJeepsta

I have the old x flex arms. Maybe 3 months max before my joints were bad.

ohio95xj

yeah, RC started using daystar poly bushings, the new ones are a pretty big improvement

BNJeepsta

Oh no, my poly bushing are fine, its the crap x flex joints that are all slutty and junk