Opinions on my long arm

[wheelinscott]

So over the past weekend I picked up my Teraflex long arm from Art101 (thanks Art!) to get ready to put on the jeep. Here's a link to it.

http://www.teraflex.biz/products/xj-cherokee-long-arm-upgrade.html

Now I knew what I was getting into BEFORE I bought this, but I knew I there was potential with it. I also got some UCA as well. I believe they are rustys fixed uppers with the rubber bushings. So a couple of ideas I had that I 1: wanted to get your opinions and 2: get other suggestions.

So I was thinking about doing a "Y link" set up for it. This would involve me beefing up the frame mount some how. And then welding the uca to the lca like they do with TNT RE etc. I would have to cut the ucas and weld joints to them and make them adjustable or just get new adjustable ucas.

or do a three link and get a new arm made. They both need to be adjustable because I do not know if my jeep is going to sit at this height or what at the moment.

I am on a budget. Im moving to Utah in a few months and Im trying to save money for this. Also I DD my jeep so it cant be down forever so this needs to be built well.

So any opinions/suggestions things I need to look out for? Also look at my sig for how my jeep sits right now.

heres what I was thinking for links for the UCA's

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Flex-Joints_c_12.html

[x2elite]

I would just build a third arm, a frame end mount for it, and make it a three link. Just my opinion though. If I could take a good look at the lower arms you already have, it might change my mind though. It really would depend on how solid and big around those lowers are. I mean if they are beefy enough for it, then you could make a y-link. However, the 3 link will flex better, and be easier to fab.

[wheelinscott]

Thanks for your input Justin. I have a picture on my phone but ill take a good picture tonight and measure it. The lower arms are real beefy, I believe they could handle the Y link set up. The lower arm brackets are the weak link I see. I would love to do a three link, but I think it would be a more difficult job then welding mount brakets to the lower arms.

Heres a link to a converted 3 link from about post 20 on.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=983222&page=2

[x2elite]

If you just made a crossmember that attached both of the frame end brackets together, I think you could easily incorporate another mount into the crossmember that would work alongside the Driveshaft. However, you could just do a radius arm (Y link) style setup, and just beef up the brackets that you have.... I would still look into bracing them with a crossmember I think.

[lil_red_wagon]

as for your frame mounts you could use these. its made to use with a 1.25" hiem with misalignment spacers.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Inner-frame-mount-40one-bracket41_p_1174.html

and use these tabs welded to the long arms to connect your uppers.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Multi-Purpose-Tabs_p_1476.html

then either build you new uppers or beef up the uppers you have to make them work

[bluejeepkid]

whats the benefit of only lengthening the lower arms and keeping the uppers stock? doesnt that mess with the rotation of the axle during droop and stuff?

[wheelinscott]

bluejeepkid- this is the whole reason Im modifying this kit. It causes major bind in the arms and can cause the pinion to get into bad angles.


Lil red wagon- so the frame mount would you incorperate it into the crossmember for the upper link? Or for both or what? sounds like its for the lower links. Thanks for the links and input.

x2elite- Im for sure making a crossmember to go with the brackets. also here is the arms.

the arms are 1.75" wide
http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01223.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01224.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01225.jpg

I was really suprised at the beef of the arms when they are in person.


So for a Y link system would i have to mount the upper arms in any specific spot or just to where the length is sufficient?

Thanks again guys for you input, keep it coming!

[Art101]

the arms are definately beef... i think they are outside diameter of 1.75 and quarter wall, if i remember right...

i sure hope you figure out a good way to make them work

i wasnt creative enough to make them work well, i just gave up and went with the TNT kit

good luck scott

[wheelinscott]

Thanks Art.

Ya I hope this turns out well. Ill probably make this the build thread for it as well when I get ready to start this undertaking.

[avnsteve]

scott, that table cloth is hideous...


lets make seat covers for your jeep with it!

[wheelinscott]

Haha good idea steve!!

So today I decided to get started on building this long arm. I decided to do a "Y-link" system because its going to to busy easier (at least it sounds easier in my mind).

So I needed to cut my upper arms to figure out what tube adapters to order.

So here are the rusty upper arms.
http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01243.jpg

Getting ready to cut
http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01247.jpg

No turning back now
http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01248.jpg

[wheelinscott]

Ok so here is the arm cut off and some measurements.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01249.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01250.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01251.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv274/wheelinscott/Long%20Arm/DSC01252.jpg

So I was leaning towards doing balistic fab joints and adapters, but I was hearing the turn around was really slow. Any other suggestions??

Ill post more when I do more.

[DeftwillP]

I've got those same uppers. Thanks for the measurements. They're beefier than I thought.

[wheelinscott]

Ok so upon further investigation the only tube adapter i can get need and inside diameter of 1" so that means i would have to bore out the end. I know it would weaken it, but i would do what i can to weld the strength into it. does anyone know where i can find a smaller one?

[DeftwillP]

If it's too small to weld on a tube adapter, then you may have to notch it and weld on a ballastic fabs joint. Of course then, it's not adjustable.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Ballistic-Poly-Bushing-263quot-w-weldable-housing_p_1663.html

[DeftwillP]

So....
You've got a chopsaw. Wanna get together tomorrow or Monday and "shorten" my Rustys uppers?

[wheelinscott]

I may make them non adjustable. I only plan on lifting another inch or so, so i can cut to plan on that.

will, let me find out my schedule this week and if you want to shorten them let me know. i work a few nights this week though.

[DeftwillP]

So when we working on it scooter?

[wheelinscott]

what about saturday? my joints havent come in yet, but i think i could at least do the rest on saturday.

anyone else can come as well. it will be here at my work, but ill have all my fab tools and stuff here. also some metal. ill just need to get approval but it shouldnt be a problem.

looks like i need to get some hardware for the long arm brackets this week. and then pick up the rectangle tube as well.

[DeftwillP]

Aw that sucks. I gotta work Saturday. I already had to bail on other Scottsdale paintball.

[DeftwillP]

What do you work anyway, monday through Friday?

[wheelinscott]

95% of the time i do.

no worries on not being there. i fully understand not making it to stuff. It seems thats all i do these days.

[DeftwillP]

Did you end up working on your junk yesterday? I finally got a pair of wj uca's so I'm going to try these before I chop the rustys uca's. I'll try putting them in shortly.

[wheelinscott]

I did, but not on the long arm. my joints still havent shown up which is annoying. But ill be working on it here and there this week.

[DeftwillP]

My wj uca's feel a lot better than the full length rustys uca's. I still may wanna come over and help you sometime and try to shorten my rustys arms.

Are you working on it next weekend or going to hidden falls?

[Art101]

HIDDEN FALLS! DO IT!

[wheelinscott]

I called Atomic 4x4 to see when i can schedule my gear install so i dont know if i can wheel this weekend with the break in of the gears. idk.

[DeftwillP]

You're getting them installed on Saturday?

[wheelinscott]

i dont know yet they havent called me back.

[wheelinscott]

they are ordering the ring and pinion in for my d30 and so they said they would bring the jeep in either friday or monday.

[wheelinscott]

so my hardware for my long arm came in which i ordered on friday from teraflex in utah.

like almost three weeks ago i ordered my joints from ballistic fab. and i still havent seen them. hmm im starting to get impatient.

[DeftwillP]

So I guess you're not working on it Saturday then? Hidden falls?

[wheelinscott]

i think im going to go out there around 1 or so. are you still gonna be out there?

[DeftwillP]

It depends. I need to wrench some Saturday morning. If I'm done in time, we could caravan out there.

[wheelinscott]

Dude I need to wrench period. Im way behind on my stuff, but im busy sat morn, well maybe. So just let me know.

[DeftwillP]

I dunno now. I've had a bad cold and fever all day and just now got home from work. I don't know what I'll be up for next day or two. I think Art (the guy with the shafts) is going. Might you be able to pick them up?

[Art101]

leaving for HF at 7 tomorrow morning... i guess i'll bring the shafts

[DeftwillP]

Scott,
If you read this sometime before you leave tomorrow, gimme a call 77uno o844. I'll get you the cash.

[Art101]

I'm already home from HF... i left this morning, camping out in the cold got me feeling pretty shitty so i went home a little earlier than i had planned on... on a better note, the jeep kicked ass. i had no problems at all. i got to run the new trail out there, carnage canyon, and i made it my bitch!

[DeftwillP]

I guess you didn't see Scott there to make the transaction?

[Art101]

nope didnt see any other cherokees there besides the guys in my group

[wheelinscott]

sorry guys i was mia this weekend. im so tired lol. art i should be down in your area on friday and can pick up those shafts.


will did you want to try and get together to get some work done this weekend on the jeeps?

[DeftwillP]

I've basically got to if I'm going to be ready for ROM.

[Art101]

yeah come on by scott

[wheelinscott]

Will lets plan on that. i dont think ill have my long arm ready for ROM, but i need my rocker guards on and better mounts for my bumper at least. Im going to try and do some this week after work.

Art ill let you know of my details in a day or so.

[DeftwillP]

I wanna look at chopping my rustys ucas and welding them shorter if we've got the time. Before next weekend, I need to buy new control arm hardware and some washers. I seem to have a little slack in the control arm pockets on my drop brackets. That's where I'm getting my clunking from.