Trailmaster CA drop brackets- any good?

[BillR]

I got a good deal on a set of these. Any experiences with quality, installation ease, function, etc.?
I noticed that they don't come with the extended braces like the REs do. Is this a big deal?
As always, TIA!:cool:

[ChuckD]

Get braces or make some, I heard of horor stories of them ripping off. You may also want to put small tack welds to help secure them. I have RE's and like them but I have some LCA axle mount issues to work out.

[Rev Den]

I have had them for 9 or so years now. No problems with the brackets, however, I would do the following:

Weld them on after bolting them on.

I would brace them, I have not, and have torn 1 of the original LCA brackets off, of course that took 8 years.

Quality is good, they have held up very well.


Rev

[BillR]

I like the idea of welding them on.
Where would you put the bracing? Just tie it to the transfer crossmember, like the REs?
Other ideas or thoughts?

[ChuckD]

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Crossmember/xmember2.jpg

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Crossmember/xmember9.jpg

Courtesy of Matt, I'm not sure he mad these or they are RE's. My RE's are such a Hack job, but are welded well. I think the RE braces are design well for there application. Either get a set or try to make some your self.

http://home.comcast.net/~cdutke/dropbrak/DSCF0018.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~cdutke/dropbrak/DSCF0017.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~cdutke/dropbrak/DSCF0016.JPG

This is what mine look like after I cleaned them up, Thanks, GaryE :D I know you had fun getting them off.

[BillR]

Thanks for the pics Chuck.
Do you have any issues with decreased ground clearance, like banging the brackets on rocks or whatever?
I can't see where the bracing that RE provides would help with strength if you came down on a rock after the front tire cleared it.
Your gusset bracing looks a bit sturdier...

[Eagle]

I have the TRailmaster brackets on an MJ, along with the Trailmaster lift (+/- 4").

I hate them. They are rock magnets. It's impossible to take what should be the "right" line over a rock because, just as you suggest, when you come down off the rock you land on the bracket.

They are designed to produce stock suspension geometry at 4" of lift, and they do this quite well. However, IMHO they are really for street/show lifts, not wheeling. You need at least 6" of lift to have enough clearance to use them off-road.

Mine were on the truck when I bought it, and I'm still seriously considering removing them and dropping down to 2" or 3" of lift. I actually think I'd have a better, more capable machine that way than what I have now.

[BillR]

Originally posted by Eagle
I have the TRailmaster brackets on an MJ, along with the Trailmaster lift (+/- 4").

I hate them. They are rock magnets. It's impossible to take what should be the "right" line over a rock because, just as you suggest, when you come down off the rock you land on the bracket.

They are designed to produce stock suspension geometry at 4" of lift, and they do this quite well. However, IMHO they are really for street/show lifts, not wheeling. You need at least 6" of lift to have enough clearance to use them off-road.

Mine were on the truck when I bought it, and I'm still seriously considering removing them and dropping down to 2" or 3" of lift. I actually think I'd have a better, more capable machine that way than what I have now.
Interesting thoughts...
Is there a big difference in height (or drop) between the RE and the Trailmaster drop brackets?

[ChuckD]

I have 6" and 33's, mine were Rubicon tested a couple weekends ago. They got hung up less or as often as ZPD's with Long arms. I like the ride of my XJ after getting them, but when I do my next XJ, it will be long arms. The only time I hit them was on BIG drops, Long arms would have been scraping for sure.

[poppabear]

the Trailmasters are the exact same thing as the RE's...


No difference except the powedercoating.

[Goatman]

Originally posted by Eagle

They are designed to produce stock suspension geometry at 4" of lift, and they do this quite well. However, IMHO they are really for street/show lifts, not wheeling. You need at least 6" of lift to have enough clearance to use them off-road.



I agree. They aren't needed and they aren't worth the loss of ground clearance until you get over 6" of lift. Otherwise, they are the same as the RE brackets, and they should be braced at the back for an additional margin of safety.

[DeadEyeJ]

The loss in ground clearance IS a major drag ( :laugh: ) I am sure. But the added benefits of decreased CA angle would be great.

I am currently looking for a set of these brackets to lift my Jeep so I can finally ditch the Bronco II once and for all.

Less control arm angle means: less binding, better ride, less change in driveline length through suspension cycle.

Landing on the drop brackets would stink but, frankly, you aren't going to hurt them. They are plenty beefy. Long arms may have a bit more clearance, but not more than a couple inches. I say " Use 'em! "


BTW Eagle, If you need a buyer and you want to sell them cheap, look me up!

[BillR]

Originally posted by poppabear
the Trailmasters are the exact same thing as the RE's...


No difference except the powedercoating.
So the RE braces would fit fine?

[poppabear]

yep... fits perfectly...

[BillR]

Cool. Thanks!

[Jeep1XJ]

I have had the Trailmaster 4" kit for 8 years now. They are strong and handle great on the road. But they do drag when coming off rocks. As a matter of a a fact, I have a bent frame where my right side is. I slid/dropped off a large boulder in KY last year and the impact was so severe that the bracket pushed the 'frame' up into itself about 1/8 inch and about 1/8 inch back. And I just got back from Tellico and I managed to hit it again a couple of times. I am seriously considering some other type of lift. I'll try and post a pic of the damage.

[Eagle]

Originally posted by Jeep1XJ
I have had the Trailmaster 4" kit for 8 years now. They are strong and handle great on the road. But they do drag when coming off rocks. As a matter of a a fact, I have a bent frame where my right side is. I slid/dropped off a large boulder in KY last year and the impact was so severe that the bracket pushed the 'frame' up into itself about 1/8 inch and about 1/8 inch back. And I just got back from Tellico and I managed to hit it again a couple of times. I am seriously considering some other type of lift. I'll try and post a pic of the damage.

I suspect the only reason I haven't had the same damage is that mine's on an MJ and the MJs have a very beefy extra reinforcing gussett around the LCA mounts on the "frame."