ThE MaKiNg Of A rOcKmOnStEr
Some of us have broken dana 60's and 44's with completely stock motors, and 35's.
My next suspension build will probably be based off the ruffstuff specialties 3 link diy kit.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: 3 hrs NW of Moab
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Big 4.0L
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: 3 hrs NW of Moab
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Big 4.0L
I have used the barnes 4x4 3 link kit with the johnny joints and it is pure beef. I am thinking a 6.5 long arm now with trimming and 36 iroks after seeing ct67 72's before the axle swap that is exactly what I am shooting for but as I said I will need more lift as I am moving back to michigan and I will need the clearance for the mud.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: 3 hrs NW of Moab
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Big 4.0L
he is my last project from az about a year ago except I dont have any pics with the 3 link or the HP 44 front or the gm 12 bolt rear
Old School CF Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,652
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I vote to go elsewhere for long arms. No personal experience but from everyone ive seen that is more experienced with building long arm setups IRO is inferior. Serious, RE, Clayton, and RK are what the goons use.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Vernon Washington
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Renix and tube header
Hahaha, I would refer to the guys who have time to build their own setups as the goons! Not meant to offend anyone, so don't take it so. I purchased the serious longarms, and soo far theyve worked out great.
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 0
From: meriden Ct
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by CheapCherokee
when counting links you should count the control arms that connect to the body, not the axle. obviously calling it a 2 link sounds dumb so instead you should be calling it a wristed radius arm setup as KTM mentioned. that 3rd "link" in the IRO long arms shouldnt really count because its freakin welded to the main lower arm. how does that count as a link? its part of the link its welded to.
Technically its a 4 link anyway. Two lower links, one link from the upper mount to the lower arm and a panhard.
It's a y link radius arm. But still 3 links.
It links the upper axle mount to the lower link. Hence a link. And its not wristed because it doesn't move. A wristed link pivots.
Technically its a 4 link anyway. Two lower links, one link from the upper mount to the lower arm and a panhard.
It's a y link radius arm. But still 3 links.
Technically its a 4 link anyway. Two lower links, one link from the upper mount to the lower arm and a panhard.
It's a y link radius arm. But still 3 links.
4 link: just that, four SEPARATE links going from the body to the axle.
3 link: 3 SEPARATE links going from the body to axle.
radius arm/y link: 2 lower links, with the upper links connected to the lowers.
wristed radius arm: This is where it gets tricky and theres always someone who disagrees in the group, you have the ford setup that has been around the 70's. It never came from the factory wristed, but "wristing" the arms was a popular modification done by both home fabricators and lift companies alike
here is an arm modified to be "wristed"
and here are the stock unwristed arms

The unwristed arm is generally left on the side the differential is on to better control the pinion angle, while the wristed side is on the other end of the axle.
Whats so different from the way this works compared to the iron rock setup? You have the drivers side arm mounted to the axle, keeping the caster and pinion angle in check, and on the passenger side you have the link thats "wristed" to the lower control arm bracket via a bolt and bushing who's only purpose is to keep that side of the axle in place.
Just because the iron rock "y" (which is one solid piece by the way, not separate links) is connected to the axle differently than a radius arm, it doesn't make it a 3 link. It is still a radius arm.
And lets leave trackbars out of this. It is commonly accepted that the trackbar is a given, and has very little to do with how the actual link setup performs.
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Originally Posted by ktmracer419
damn, everyone needs to accept a universal way to describe suspension link setups.
4 link: just that, four SEPARATE links going from the body to the axle.
3 link: 3 SEPARATE links going from the body to axle.
radius arm/y link: 2 lower links, with the upper links connected to the lowers.
wristed radius arm: This is where it gets tricky and theres always someone who disagrees in the group, you have the ford setup that has been around the 70's. It never came from the factory wristed, but "wristing" the arms was a popular modification done by both home fabricators and lift companies alike
here is an arm modified to be "wristed"
and here are the stock unwristed arms
The unwristed arm is generally left on the side the differential is on to better control the pinion angle, while the wristed side is on the other end of the axle.
Whats so different from the way this works compared to the iron rock setup? You have the drivers side arm mounted to the axle, keeping the caster and pinion angle in check, and on the passenger side you have the link thats "wristed" to the lower control arm bracket via a bolt and bushing who's only purpose is to keep that side of the axle in place.
Just because the iron rock "y" (which is one solid piece by the way, not separate links) is connected to the axle differently than a radius arm, it doesn't make it a 3 link. It is still a radius arm.
And lets leave trackbars out of this. It is commonly accepted that the trackbar is a given, and has very little to do with how the actual link setup performs.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
Well man... despite what people say who have not given them a shot, IRO is not a bad company. I have over 140,000 miles on 6.5" kit and have not had any major problems. I can list every problem I have had here:
1. Went through a few of the braided brake lines. They now come coated in rubber, have not broke once since.
2. track bar bushings (1 time)
3. The M14x 120 Class 10.9 bolts that go through the CA Bushings- I have worn them out once... the bushing is not affected but it cuts into the bolts over time. I have had to do this once.
4. Pound leaf springs straight.
Thats it. In 140,000 miles I have maybe 100 bucks in repairs (mostly brake line). I use it as my DD but spend alot of time off the road. Crawling, mudding, sand, driving through the surf, it has handled it all very well. It rides nice on the road and works great off the road. I have ran a few different kits over the years and can say that this is by far my favorite.
Customer service is awesome. I have never had to wait more than a few hours for a reply.
People knock them because of the "10mm" bolt... mine has not moved (without me doing it) since I put it on. People knock them because of the radius setup but most of the kits out there are radius arms. TNT Customs consistently gets some of the best reviews out there and they are also a radius arm setup.
I say give them a shot. They are easily the best of the cheaper brands and i dont see the small "improvements" the expensive kits have being worth 2/3x as much money. Spend that cash on your engine and have fun.
1. Went through a few of the braided brake lines. They now come coated in rubber, have not broke once since.
2. track bar bushings (1 time)
3. The M14x 120 Class 10.9 bolts that go through the CA Bushings- I have worn them out once... the bushing is not affected but it cuts into the bolts over time. I have had to do this once.
4. Pound leaf springs straight.
Thats it. In 140,000 miles I have maybe 100 bucks in repairs (mostly brake line). I use it as my DD but spend alot of time off the road. Crawling, mudding, sand, driving through the surf, it has handled it all very well. It rides nice on the road and works great off the road. I have ran a few different kits over the years and can say that this is by far my favorite.
Customer service is awesome. I have never had to wait more than a few hours for a reply.
People knock them because of the "10mm" bolt... mine has not moved (without me doing it) since I put it on. People knock them because of the radius setup but most of the kits out there are radius arms. TNT Customs consistently gets some of the best reviews out there and they are also a radius arm setup.
I say give them a shot. They are easily the best of the cheaper brands and i dont see the small "improvements" the expensive kits have being worth 2/3x as much money. Spend that cash on your engine and have fun.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
P.S. Im not sure why people knock IROs quality. IROs arms are made from thicker metal than Serious Offroads, Rustys and several other kits. Almost all LA kits use 2" DOM, including the more expensive brands. Sure the RK kit might come with the "MONSTER BUSHING" and a "MONSTER KRAWLER JOINT" and while they might be better than the "bushing" and "super-flex joint" IRO runs, you will notice no difference running through a mudhole. Plus you could have 3 spares of everything with the extra cash. (not that I think you would need them.. I have done everything except jump it) I will give RK credit for offering solid control arms... most companies do not.
As for radius/3link/4link etc... there are people who swear by each design. They are all going to be better than your stock arms and they are all going to give you flex. Serious is a radius, TNT is a radius, Skyjacker is a Radius, Rough Country is a Radius, Rusty's is a Radius, Rubicon Express is a Radius...... Who cares if IRO is as well.
As for radius/3link/4link etc... there are people who swear by each design. They are all going to be better than your stock arms and they are all going to give you flex. Serious is a radius, TNT is a radius, Skyjacker is a Radius, Rough Country is a Radius, Rusty's is a Radius, Rubicon Express is a Radius...... Who cares if IRO is as well.
Last edited by Ianf406; Nov 1, 2012 at 01:46 AM. Reason: doubled a few words
P.S. Im not sure why people knock IROs quality. IROs arms are made from thicker metal than Serious Offroads, Rustys and several other kits. Almost all LA kits use 2" DOM, including the more expensive brands. Sure the RK kit might come with the "MONSTER BUSHING" and a "MONSTER KRAWLER JOINT" and while they might be better than the "bushing" and "super-flex joint" IRO runs, you will notice no difference running through a mudhole. Plus you could have 3 spares of everything with the extra cash. (not that I think you would need them.. I have done everything except jump it) I will give RK credit for offering solid control arms... most companies do not.
As for radius/3link/4link etc... there are people who swear by each design. They are all going to be better than your stock arms and they are all going to give you flex. Serious is a radius, TNT is a radius, Skyjacker is a Radius, Rough Country is a Radius, Rusty's is a Radius, Rubicon Express is a Radius...... Who cares if IRO is as well.
As for radius/3link/4link etc... there are people who swear by each design. They are all going to be better than your stock arms and they are all going to give you flex. Serious is a radius, TNT is a radius, Skyjacker is a Radius, Rough Country is a Radius, Rusty's is a Radius, Rubicon Express is a Radius...... Who cares if IRO is as well.
As for the kit working fine just for you, thats fine and dandy. but 140k is a lot of miles, for the rest of your jeep to last that long through wheeling and look as beautiful as it does leads me to believe you don't exactly push the limits of your rigs capability. Maybe I'm wrong, and you take care of everything that happens to it on the trail pretty nicely, but its just an observation.
as for joint and bushing quality, it may not matter in your application, it does matter to many other people.
Last edited by ktmracer419; Nov 1, 2012 at 07:17 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6,685
Likes: 6
From: Jacksonville, FL
Year: 92
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
im sure he doesnt wheel too hard at all.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: 3 hrs NW of Moab
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Big 4.0L
Well man... despite what people say who have not given them a shot, IRO is not a bad company. I have over 140,000 miles on 6.5" kit and have not had any major problems. I can list every problem I have had here:
1. Went through a few of the braided brake lines. They now come coated in rubber, have not broke once since.
2. track bar bushings (1 time)
3. The M14x 120 Class 10.9 bolts that go through the CA Bushings- I have worn them out once... the bushing is not affected but it cuts into the bolts over time. I have had to do this once.
4. Pound leaf springs straight.
Thats it. In 140,000 miles I have maybe 100 bucks in repairs (mostly brake line). I use it as my DD but spend alot of time off the road. Crawling, mudding, sand, driving through the surf, it has handled it all very well. It rides nice on the road and works great off the road. I have ran a few different kits over the years and can say that this is by far my favorite.
Customer service is awesome. I have never had to wait more than a few hours for a reply.
People knock them because of the "10mm" bolt... mine has not moved (without me doing it) since I put it on. People knock them because of the radius setup but most of the kits out there are radius arms. TNT Customs consistently gets some of the best reviews out there and they are also a radius arm setup.
I say give them a shot. They are easily the best of the cheaper brands and i dont see the small "improvements" the expensive kits have being worth 2/3x as much money. Spend that cash on your engine and have fun.
1. Went through a few of the braided brake lines. They now come coated in rubber, have not broke once since.
2. track bar bushings (1 time)
3. The M14x 120 Class 10.9 bolts that go through the CA Bushings- I have worn them out once... the bushing is not affected but it cuts into the bolts over time. I have had to do this once.
4. Pound leaf springs straight.
Thats it. In 140,000 miles I have maybe 100 bucks in repairs (mostly brake line). I use it as my DD but spend alot of time off the road. Crawling, mudding, sand, driving through the surf, it has handled it all very well. It rides nice on the road and works great off the road. I have ran a few different kits over the years and can say that this is by far my favorite.
Customer service is awesome. I have never had to wait more than a few hours for a reply.
People knock them because of the "10mm" bolt... mine has not moved (without me doing it) since I put it on. People knock them because of the radius setup but most of the kits out there are radius arms. TNT Customs consistently gets some of the best reviews out there and they are also a radius arm setup.
I say give them a shot. They are easily the best of the cheaper brands and i dont see the small "improvements" the expensive kits have being worth 2/3x as much money. Spend that cash on your engine and have fun.
Last edited by ExTrEmExJ99; Nov 1, 2012 at 09:14 AM.


