TJ control arm drop brackets

[Longhorn84]

There are old threads about this but I'm curious if anyone today is running a short arm lift with drop brackets to help geometry? I see them for XJs and JKs, etc, but not TJs, I'm confused why. I don't need the clearance, I just want a better ride and thinking the flatter angles would help.

For example, for a JK,

 

[rasband]

What shocks are you running? I wouldn't expect control arms to meaningfully change the ride on the road.

 

[Longhorn84]

What shocks are you running? I wouldn't expect control arms to meaningfully change the ride on the road.

Long arms should perform better than short arms just based on the geometry based on my research (and drop brackets would mimic the geometry) but I have also seen folks disagree on here, hard to watch a video on CA geometry and not be convinced. I have Rancho 9000xl and I have a separate thread asking why my ride sucks so it could be a few things but shocks I spent money on to get "good" ones.

 

[ranger101]

I have Rancho 9000xl and I have a separate thread asking why my ride sucks so it could be a few things but shocks I spent money on to get "good" ones.

Bilsteins cost twice as much as Rancho’s and the ride isn’t very good. Just because it cost more doesn’t mean it’s better, my experience.

 

[Longhorn84]

Bilsteins cost twice as much as Rancho’s and the ride isn’t very good. Just because it cost more doesn’t mean it’s better, my experience.

Fair enough. The ranchos are adjustable and I've tried them on three different settings, they definitely change the ride but still think it moves more than it should.

 

[rasband]

Fair enough. The ranchos are adjustable and I've tried them on three different settings, they definitely change the ride but still think it moves more than it should.

can you expand on “think it moves more than it should”? What does that mean to you?

 

[Longhorn84]

can you expand on “think it moves more than it should”? What does that mean to you?

Bumpy, I feel every imperfection in the road, Chris here said his rides like a Cadillac and has the same lift I believe, mine is far from a Cadillac. I feel like the body rocks after hitting a bump too much.

 

[jjvw]

Bumpy, I feel every imperfection in the road, Chris here said his rides like a Cadillac and has the same lift I believe, mine is far from a Cadillac. I feel like the body rocks after hitting a bump too much.

Arms aren't going to change that.

 

[rasband]

Bumpy, I feel every imperfection in the road, Chris here said his rides like a Cadillac and has the same lift I believe, mine is far from a Cadillac. I feel like the body rocks after hitting a bump too much.

Unless your arms are nearly vertical, arms won't change this. And no TJ "rides like a cadillac". They don't have to ride like shit, but they also won't ride like grandma's mercury. I can drive comfortably with a finger on the wheel, but it's not like my old BMW. Jeeps can drive nicely with the right setup.

 

[eastbloc]

What jjvw said.

What you are experiencing is either:
shocks
too much psi in tires
tires are too stiff
heavy duty springs.

 

[Chris]

The only one I'm aware of who ever made geometry relocation brackets for the TJ short arm suspensions would be Nth Degree.

For whatever reason or another they are very, very common on JK lifts, but not TJs. Why that is, I'm not sure. @mrblaine or @jjvw could likely explain it, but I'm sure it has something to do with packaging or similar.

 

[Blackjack]

Superlift and Dick Cepek made drop brackets at one time that were not that popular as they severely decreased ground clearance at the lower control arms and Nth Degree used a combination of raising the axle side of the rear uppers along with drilling the rear lowers to change their angle. The Nth Degree works well for lifts heights of 4.5 inches or less. Lift heights higher than 4.5 inches require taking a different approach as the arm lengths are too short to adequately correct their operating angles.

 

[Longhorn84]

Arms aren't going to change that.

I believe you! So then side question, what difference in ride quality would long arms make? I’ve watched many videos but this one does a good job at showing the differences clearly

 

[Longhorn84]

What jjvw said.

What you are experiencing is either:
shocks
too much psi in tires
tires are too stiff
heavy duty springs.

Right, and unfortunately I think those are all ok, I’m not at my house now but I’ll report back with tire psi. I do have Mickey Thompson mtz p3’s, not sure if those are too stiff but I’ve lowered psi in the past based on things I’ve read on this forum and I have rancho 9000xls which are adjustable 1-9 and I’ve tried them on 1,5,9 (which does make a difference) and my springs are Currie 4”.

If I went new tires in the future which 35”s have y’all had that performed best on road?

 

[jjvw]

What jjvw said.

What you are experiencing is either:
shocks
too much psi in tires
tires are too stiff
heavy duty springs.

Assuming the ride height is where it ought to be, it isn't the springs either.

 

[jjvw]

I believe you! So then side question, what difference in ride quality would long arms make? I’ve watched many videos but this one does a good job at showing the differences clearly

Ignore that video and everything he says about suspension. Arm length has next to nothing to do with the ride quality.

 

[Longhorn84]

Ignore that video and everything he says about suspension. Arm length has next to nothing to do with the ride quality.

Haha, ok, I just am looking for answers before I just sell it and move to a JK and start over with my build which I’m close to doing. I want this to be “wife driveable”, my wife drives a 4 runner so it’s not like she’s used to a bmw, but my Jeep is bouncy at lower speeds and I’m sure it didn’t drive like this out of the factory.

 

[Longhorn84]

Unless your arms are nearly vertical, arms won't change this. And no TJ "rides like a cadillac". They don't have to ride like shit, but they also won't ride like grandma's mercury. I can drive comfortably with a finger on the wheel, but it's not like my old BMW. Jeeps can drive nicely with the right setup.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-arm-lifts-vs-short-arm-lifts.3382/post-95260
“ Interesting. I have the exact opposite experience you have. I've had the Currie short arm lift going on 2 years now (with Bilstein 5100 shocks) and it's the best thing I ever did. It rides like a damn Cadillac both on-road and off-road. I mean it rides really, really damn good!”

 

[S.McArthur]

And here we go again...

 

[rasband]

what PSI

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-arm-lifts-vs-short-arm-lifts.3382/post-95260
“ Interesting. I have the exact opposite experience you have. I've had the Currie short arm lift going on 2 years now (with Bilstein 5100 shocks) and it's the best thing I ever did. It rides like a damn Cadillac both on-road and off-road. I mean it rides really, really damn good!”

Well, supposing his does drive like a Cadillac, doesn’t that imply that short arms are fine?

I’d suggest cycling your suspension to see where you are getting interference. If it’s harsh or overly bumpy, you could be bottoming out or have socks that aren’t right for your setup. I can tell you that moving to Fox’s up front that were tuned for an LJ was pleasant - firm but not harsh.