Short Arm VS Long Arm

[rholbrook]

I am ready to lift my son's 04 LJ. Do we need a long arm or should we do a short arm. It is mostly driven to school and back with an occasional trip to Moab or St. George. Should we save the money by going with a short arm and buy other stuff for his Unlimited or just put a long arm on.

What other expenses am I looking for? Tummy Tucker or Belly Up pan will come with the long arm so do I need a body lift? Do I need a SYE? I just want to make sure I have all costs planned for.

 

[DaveB]

It would depend on how much lift you are doing. How much higher are you thinking ?

 

[BCGPER]

One thing I didn't like about my LJ with the long arm kit was the rear arms were way too long. The kit was a basic TJ long kit, with even longer rear arms to make up for the extended wheelbase. I was constantly getting hung up on those rears.

One thing I will say, the thing rode great, and handled better than it did in stock form. I'd go for the LA kit again, but I don't think I'd use Rubicon Express because of the rear arm issue.

 

[bryson]

I agree with the long arms... unless you only plan on lifting it an inch or two. They ride awesome with the long arms, and it'll handle great. If you are doing a belly up or tummy tucker or something similar, you will most likely need the body lift for clearance between the trans tunnel and the t-case. If you don't mind a little sheet metal massaging, you can sometimes get away without the body lift.

 

[Bart]

Long arm all the way and don't look back. More expensive, more work, but the ride on and off road is sooo much better.

 

[Xploderkid97]

coming from a tj owner on short arms... i hate them... it does great off road and actually provides a lot of flex but the second i get on the road it feels like a guessing game on where its gonna go... it does what it pleases.

i didnt have the option of doing both when i broke my lower mounts on my budget lift but i am saving up for a long arm and will do asap.

 

[Bear T]

I would do the s/a kit, if you like driving an overgrown shopping cart. Rough rough rough ride.

I would personally do the Teraflex or Rubicon kit. How tall are you planning on going? Anything over a 4" I would recommend a sye, Also, do you have stock wheels, quite often if you run a stock wheel, it will rub. If you do the R/E kit it will have a new belly pan and you won't need the belly up kit or body lift. just my .02

If interested, shoot me a pm and I will get you some pricing on what you want.

 

[neagtea]

I would do the s/a kit, if you like driving an overgrown shopping cart. Rough rough rough ride.

I would personally do the Teraflex or Rubicon kit. How tall are you planning on going? Anything over a 4" I would recommend a sye, Also, do you have stock wheels, quite often if you run a stock wheel, it will rub. If you do the R/E kit it will have a new belly pan and you won't need the belly up kit or body lift. just my .02

If interested, shoot me a pm and I will get you some pricing on what you want.

X-2
The BDS kit is pretty nice also if you go the full meal deal.

 

[kmboren]

Also take a look at the rock krawler kit. I have the front long arm 3 link on my cherokee and LOVE it. I think they are all priced about the same. rock krawler is a True long arm not a radius style like the RE is.

 

[Cascadia]

I went long arm on my LJ and I would definitely do it again. It was definitely worth the extra cost too. It drives amazing on the road and it flexes and is so much smoother off road. The only thing I would do differently is the brand. I love everything about the kit, the ride, the flex, the stability, the belly skid...it's all good. The only thing is the rear arms are so dang long, which has been said before. I haven't gotten hung up on anything yet but I have used them as sliders on some obstacles. They are super beefy so I don't think they'll bend but you don't want to get hung up if you don't have to. I ahve seen a bunch of the teraflex LCG kits installed and they look great and the arms are up out of the way and all the owners ahve said they love the ride.