so im trying to find out if it will be worth it to build my own lift. i was planning on a 4.5" RC short arm with CA drop brackets. but im wondering if i can build it for less. so if i were to build my own lift it would be a long arm setup, with a home made cross member that is dropped 1", i would also build it to be able to go to 6" or 6.5" if i ever want it to. what i need to know is how long to the lowers and uppers should be about and where to put the mount for the upper arm onto the lower arm. also, what the best materials would be to use, and any tips or advise on anything else i missed would be great, thanks!

 

you need to figure out a good mounting system way before you worry about lengths. cutting arms to length is easy. i suggest making a crossmember/mounting system first. at least thats what i did.

but for what its worth, my lowers are 34"

 

well i thinking about using some 2x6 with 1/4 inch wall, just not exactly 100% sure on how to do it yet, any suggestions?

 

buy a crossmember from a company. clayton maybe? and then make your own arms. saves you some money but gets you a proven mounting system

 

good start. i always recommend plating the frame. i plated the inside and outside of mine.

 

just looked at claytons cross member, gives me an idea on how to do it now lol

 

and i do plan on doing HD engineering's frame stiffeners, their full kit

 

if you want a deal on the fronts, let me know

 

ill keep that in mind if u still got them in febuary lol

 

Also if you were thinking about short arms for 4.5'' of lift, don't because it sucks.

There is little to no room for drop of the front axle, as the control arms are just about hitting the shock mounts even with a heavy home brew recovery bumper.

Control arm drop brackets would aid this, however, at the cost of ground clearence, and smashing them on everything.

 

which is why if i build it, it would be long arm.and im just not sure on all the dimensions for all the links and the cross member, and if it would be better to go with a 4 link, or 3 link

 

You would get more flex outa a 3 link the 4 links just a lil stronger that's all.... but 3 link it super bad a$$

 

put the front end on jack stands and do not move it, build your x member then just build the rest to fit it.

heres my y link set up in the front, the style everyone hates lol

seems to work fine to me, has more flex than that but the sway bar keeps it at bay

oh and yes its a lot cheaper to build your own kit
theres more info in my build, theres a link to it in my signature

and yes i know my fender needs to be cut more, and my x member is missing a few bolts so i dont even wanna hear it haha

 

I Think if i do a 3 link setup, im guna wait till i get my waggy D44 up front trussed, locked and regeared

 

o ya, nice build by the way, just went through all of it, very nice welds