Ok Guys and Girls, I need your help in picking long arms and I've whittled it down to a few different mfgs.

First off I'm at about 4 to 4.25" of lift (I plan on staying here). I have stock control arms (hate it) and since I need to upgrade, I'm going long arms. I'm mainly going for a great driver/weekend trail rig. My XJ is my DD, and I drive quite a bit for work. I've been thinking about frame stiffeners, but considering my uses, I don't think I really need them. Plus I don't weld (currently), and I don't trust many shops.

Here's what I've whittled it down to. I'm sure I'd be happy with any of them, but I'm having a tough time making a final decision.

Serious Long Arms (Frank Z) - I know he had a falling out here, but everyone loves his products. Beefy, t-case skid, and great warranty.

Clayton - Removable x-memeber center section (Great plus), beefy, and great warranty.

B. Lee's 3 Link - Looks like a solid setup, and plus I can have a 3 link instead of a radius arm setup. Although a radius arm should be plenty for me. Only issue, he's kind of a pain to get a hold of, but he will make it to my needs/specs.

TNT - High clearance, belly pan, t-case skid, but expensive. Not sure if I really need the belly pan anyway. Not climbing in the rocks.

So what do you guys think? I'm not trying to start a debate, and I know it's kinda personal preference, but I'm stuck on making a final decision.

 

out of that list, i would choose clayton (the 3 link version).

 

With Clayton's 3 link you need at least a 6.5" lift...according to their website.


I went with the CavFab arms since the price was right and I liked that they were a true three link, used currie joints instead of heims, and there wasn't a requirement to be lifted 6.5" like the Claytons to use.

 

Don't forget Full Traction when looking at long arms. It is a 4-link and can be used at 3.5" lift. JeepSpeed style system.

 

For your height and the choices that you listed only the B Lee would be mine.

 

Yep, clayton calls for 6.5" of lift for their 3 link. I was talking about their radius arms.

Peligro, Where can I find this CavFab kit you mention?

Steve, Full traction website calls for 5 or 5.5" of lift, so I figured that was out of the question. Where did you find that it can be run on 3.5"?

Fred, Any reasoning to that? I've been told all these kits can work at as low as 3.5" from the mfg's/vendors.

 

CavFab https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/ca...reveal-224775/

Full Traction http://www.full-traction.com/model.p...&m=4&b=1&t=1#n

 

From the Full Traction website - "Note: The minimum lift height requirement should exceed 5-in for proper steering and track bar alignment."

 

Not sure what the difference is, but the 4-link is offered as a functioning 3.5" lift. Try this link http://www.full-traction.com/detail....&p=1468&n=NULL

 

x2 on cav fab, its on sale for 730ish right now. if i didnt already have b.lees 3 link i would have gone cave fab

 

Yeah, it looks like a pretty solid setup. 3-link, beefy, JJ's, and a nice xmember? I think I'm gonna order one. Unfortunately, the sale ended on Tuesday.

Appreciate your help guys. I wasn't even gonna post because long arms have been covered so much, but glad I did!

 

Clayton quality and strength is impressive to say the least. I highly recommend them. I went with the radius arm setup as I'm keeping it at around 5.5" of lift. Keep in mind that the Clayton x-member (and I believe most of the ones you listed) require welding.

 

Call them up, will likely make an exception and add you to the pre-orders.

It's good to keep the long arm discussions current, it continues to evolve. When I put together my lift six years ago, long arm kits were rare, mostly DIY.

 

Good point. I just dropped him a line with a few questions, so I'll see what he says and go from there.

USN, I knew the clayton setup was welded, I could probably find someone to do that. AFAIK, all the other options are purely bolt on. However, the cavfab kit looks pretty nice! I'll see what happens.

 

+1 for CavFab. Just got mine yesterday.
Here's some photos and my initial thoughts. First off, pics do not do this thing justice. I can be overly critical and I'll say that I was expecting a lot when I ordered this kit since I was replacing my perfectly fine Rubicon Express long arms. That said, as far as build quality and craftsmanship go, this kit has far exceeded my expectations. Everything about it is pure BEEF. The Currie joints, the links, crossmember, everything. After seeing this I can't wait to see what else Cavfab offers in the future. Obviously these are just initial impressions, but build quality wise, anyone who bought this at the pre-order price got a steal. Even at the regular price it is a hell of a deal. I'll give some more thoughts after the install, but unboxing this has already made my day.