Project_Pos

Alright so I ordered 4.5 inch coil springs and they say it settles around 5 and I went to the junk yard looking for a lifted jeep and no luck but I did notice that a lower control arm on a dodge 1500 4x4 or a 2500 4x4 it is 3.5 inches longer thank the stock xj. Would that work with 4.5-5 inches of lift? What is the difference in your lower control arms?

Guywitha92

control arms play a big factor. Especially with that much lift. Strength, pinion angles, axle centering

Project_Pos

Well pinion angle I can go with shims but would they work what's the different between the stock lower control arms and the ones for 4-6 inches of lift? Length is the only thin I can think of.

Martlor13

You can't use shims on the axle for angles on the front. Why not get adjustable control arms? Yeah they cost more, but having the ability to adjust is a great benefit for your rig.

Fred/N0AZZ

You need adj upper and lower CA's, dbl. shear track bar, sway bar disconnects, SYE, new driveshaft, shocks, brake lines, etc. just to name a few for that size lift.

Martlor13

This right here.

Project_Pos

Yeah your right! But it's going to be only trail rig after the spring! And I'm all about the junkyard budget with stock parts working on they jeep. Like the bastard pack will be another thing I'll do. I have sway bar links I got from a lifted jeep at a junk yard and he had stock lower and upper control arms. So.

Martlor13

You will need drop brackets at a minimum.

Fred/N0AZZ

Making those parts even more important. All Jeeps do not interchange parts with other models the XJ is a beast all of it's own on most of them like suspension and steering for 2.

Basslicks

Going back to this original post, no. Those are way too long. To put it into perspective, for 3.5" of lift, the LCAs are only about .5" longer than stock.

Constantine

Here is a list of junkyard parts you can use:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

It gives you a couple control arm options

bad_idea

I am at 5" of lift with control arm drop brackets. At 5" of lift the arms will be at a fairly severe angle. The upper and lower arms will be too short due to the angle of the arms. The CAD brackets are a good solution to get the arms at the correct angles. With my CAD brackets (Rough Country) the stock lower arms were too short to adjust the caster properly. I purchased some fixed length lower arms 1/2" longer (IIRC) and then was able to adjust the caster correctly with the stock shims in the frames side LCA bracket. The stock UCAs worked out well with the CAD brackets.

You do not need adjustable arms, you need longer arms. Identify needed length and purchase those. If you want to go the junkyard route, some of the different model Jeeps have arms that are slightly longer. The difference from stock arms and aftermarket arms are the easy adjustment (convenient, but not REQUIRED), stronger, and longer. You need longer UCAs or CAD brackets to get the wheel in the center of the wheel well again. You need longer LCAs to get the caster angle correct.

Fred/N0AZZ

Long story short no your concepts are backwards on several.


Sorry to be harsh but try to give the correct information on things.

bad_idea

Please elaborate on my backwards concepts. The goal is to maintain good angles on the arms and set caster to a reasonable degree without killing the pinion angle. My arms are at the same angle as stock thanks to the CAD brackets and my caster is right at 5 degrees thanks to longer LCAs and shimming the LCAs with the factory shims. My XJ handles great. What of my method failed to accomplish the goal?

Tsaani97xj

Stock the lowers can adjust pinion/caster. When you lift usually the lowers are used to adjust the centering of the wheel in the well. Uppers adjust for pinion/caster. At least that is what I think Fred was referring to.