Is 5.5" Really Enough?

zPike00EB · Oct 1, 2009

A couple of people on the forum here have said 5.5" Rubicon Express Long-Arm is enough for 35" LTBs, but after looking around, I can't find one that has kept GOOD articulation. Anyone have pictures proving this to be wrong?

I was looking at the BDS 8.5" Long-arm kit, what are your thoughts on this? It says it needs minor welding, what has to be welded? Long arm brackets?

I may want to do an axle swap and go 37" down the road, and I feel this is the best way to go.

What do you guys think? Im ready to buy!

Ritter4.0 · Oct 1, 2009

3" is more than enough if you plan on trimming and know what you are doing. Gotta keep it low, COG and cost

MoparManiac · Oct 1, 2009

35x12.5x15 MTZs on 15x8 with 4" BS. RE 5.5" coils, 12" Bilstein 5150s. I'd like to knock it down 1" and trim some more.

All about the bumpstops.

zPike00EB · Oct 1, 2009

If I was to go with the 5.5", could I add 2" blocks later on if I wanted 37"s?

How much would these hinder performance?

Are the bumpstops that come with the 5.5" long-arm kit sufficient?

chris420 · Oct 1, 2009

I would do an axle swap first and run taller spring perches if you want to fit 37's. Dont use blocks at all. You may also need to run a traction bar as well.

bosco01xj · Oct 1, 2009

zPike00EB said:
If I was to go with the 5.5", could I add 2" blocks later on if I wanted 37"s?

How much would these hinder performance?

Are the bumpstops that come with the 5.5" long-arm kit sufficient?

In my opinion I wouldn't do blocks. I've never seen it first hand, but I've heard axle wrap stories due to blocks. Just cut and fold your rear fenders for more clearance. BTW, 8.5 inches is a LOT of lift for just 35s. Even 37s. I'm at about 6inches and I have plenty of room for 35s, probably even 36s. Just my 2 cents.

jeepfreak1020 · Oct 1, 2009

Ya dont use blocks, I had 2" blocks on the rear for almost a year, and I had some bad axle wrap and they dident flex all that great. To get that extra 2" you could at TNT U - bolt eliminator kit, or a shackle relocation bracket and that would get you around 7.5"

MoparManiac · Oct 1, 2009

I wouldn't want 7.5" of lift period.

I could fit 37s with a little more trimming/bumpstopping.

cmelo · Oct 1, 2009

chris420 said:
I would do an axle swap first and run taller spring perches if you want to fit 37's. Dont use blocks at all. You may also need to run a traction bar as well.

Like Chris is saying if you're planning to run these big tires you should worry about axles first. I wouldn't run 35s on stock axles if you plan on wheeling in the Northeast. You will inevitably break something, or that's the trend up here with dana 30s. If I was building a cherokee right now I would get an RE 3.5" lift with adjustable uppers, a new trackbar and all that and run some nice 33s. With that combo and being locked front and rear you'd be able to go wherever you'd want to go with some good driving.

Darky · Oct 1, 2009

35s will fit on 5" of lift with the fenders trimmed for Bushwhackers. My fenders are heavily trimmed (except the back, at some point they will be cut and folded) and I have plenty of room for 35s under my 5.5" lift, and with bumpstopping and more trimming out back, I could fit 37s most likely. 8" of lift is too much for anything below a full size in my opinion...

ktm racer 419 · Oct 1, 2009

zPike00EB said:
A couple of people on the forum here have said 5.5" Rubicon Express Long-Arm is enough for 35" LTBs, but after looking around, I can't find one that has kept GOOD articulation. Anyone have pictures proving this to be wrong?

here is 4" and 35's

1100 forward, 1086 backwards 20* ramp

i was told i got good rti scores, but i could care less what my jeep is good at on paper, as long as it does what i want on the trails i'm happy.

zPike00EB said:
If I was to go with the 5.5", could I add 2" blocks later on if I wanted 37"s?

dont need to 2"blocks to fit the 37's

and blocks are the devil

here is 3" and 36" iroks (closer to a 37)

the components used in the suspension have much more to do with flex than the amunt of lift you have.

Is 5.5" Really Enough?

zPike00EB

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Ritter4.0

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MoparManiac

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zPike00EB

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chris420

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bosco01xj

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jeepfreak1020

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MoparManiac

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cmelo

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Darky

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ktm racer 419

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