gthbryce

I finally bought my rubicon express drop brackets. I'm sitting at 6.5" on rusty's offroad fixed arms. I'm pretty sure my current control arms are too long. Can I run stock control arms with the drop brackets?

VTJeep

...drop brackets are a bandaid and not recommended. How do you know that your current LCA's are too long? Have you called Rustys to see what they recommend for a LCA length to go with your 6 1/2 inch left? What are your alignment specs? is your caster way off or something?

cherokee90

Drop brackets are sweet for the price nice choice, I'm running stock control arms at 6 of lift but my caster is off I need alittle longer lowers. How long are your lowers?

VTJeep

Getting anything for cheap is always sweet. This does not make them a good choice. Like I stated before, this is a Band-Aid. Another example of a Band-Aid on a jeep is a TC drop bracket, or axle shims: just get a SYE kit!

SeriousOffroad

How exactly are drop brackets, or shims a band-aid?

Mike1114

Not to highjack the thread but I also just put on a 6.5 lift that I pieced together. I have adjustable LCA's but stock uppers.

I can tell right now my caster angle is terrible, but can an alignment shop get it back to near spec with only adjustable LCA's or am I gonna HAVE to get uppers too?

I know seriousoffroad is gonna say I should, and I get that but do I have to?

SeriousOffroad

You don't need to go to an alignment shop, just buy a $12 angle finder and set the caster angle yourself...but you knew I was going to say that.

brookhart63

Please do not go around the internet spewing information that is wrong. Drop brackets and shims are not band aids. SHIMS ARE REQUIRED WITH THE USE OF AN SYE. This is the third thread i have pointed this out to you in.

TheNerd

X2 on VT being a donkey.

Here is a quick table to show you an APPROXIMATE CA (both upper and lower) length for a given lift height. It now has both RE and RC drop bracket info (which is apparently different).

http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/re_db.html

outkast

I also fail to see how DB are a bandaid?!? They are a well engineered product that solves a very real problem. Strength is not an issue with them and drop brackets have been around longer than long arm kits for these Cherokees. I have an original set of them made by BDS back in the early 90's when my dad bought them for his Cherokee....I bet they have over 500,000 miles on them through all the trucks they have been on. No problems ever. And they are old enough they do not have braces.

I agree with transfer case drops being a band-aid however. Well maybe more like a splint. They do help but it is not a cure or a fix, the problem is still there you just don't feel it as much.

Axle shims are necessary part of proper axle geometry....not just in Cherokee's but in drag cars, stock cars, semi's, buses and pretty much anything with a solid rear axle.

OP: Sorry for the rants on you thread. You could certainly run stock control arms with the drop brackets at 6.5" of lift. Your DB's essentially eliminate 4-5" of lift the control arms see. I personally would run the Rusty's lowers with a set of adjustable uppers to get you axle back into alignment...but that is because I like the extra wheelbase that would give you.

Mike1114

So I can get by with stock uppers?

outkast

With adjustable lower....maybe....maybe not depends how much adjustment you need. If there is not enough in the lowers to get it with in spec then you need uppers too. Ride is going to be horrible with that much lift on short arms either way.

DeftwillP

You're the reason cherokeeforum is a bandaid.

VTJeep

You sir can shut the hell up. To the rest of you, who have actually chosen to point out why I was wrong... aside from the sarcasm.. you're right. I'm sorry. I had my facts wrong.

yarom

X2 - I have both SYE and shims. Was absolutely necessary to get the right angle.