RK 3.5” Adventure-X Pro Long Arm Install

[Rotsam]

This is the part of the install when you get to learn about the customer service department. I’ve never used RK but I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly *most* vendors will send out a part correction. Fingers crossed for minimal downtime.

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[chevymitchell]

This is the part of the install when you get to learn about the customer service department. I’ve never used RK but I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly *most* vendors will send out a part correction. Fingers crossed for minimal downtime.

I haven’t really run into issues with any customer support departments. Some could use some improvement, but a parts mix up is an easy one. I checked the box and it’s labeled as a JL kit so it was boxed wrong at RK.

 

[jeepingib]

I haven’t really run into issues with any customer support departments. Some could use some improvement, but a parts mix up is an easy one. I checked the box and it’s labeled as a JL kit so it was boxed wrong at RK.

I had a good experience with RK on a parts mixup. I ordered a JL trackbar, but I received a JL bar with a JK sized joint on the frame end. They had me take pictures of the part and the box, and shipped me a new end quickly.

 

[failsafe306]

I haven’t really run into issues with any customer support departments. Some could use some improvement, but a parts mix up is an easy one. I checked the box and it’s labeled as a JL kit so it was boxed wrong at RK.

Well shit I guess I need to double check mine.

 

[chevymitchell]

Well shit I guess I need to double check mine.

Worth an extra look. The JK one is shorter and flat. The JL is longer and has extra material on the aft end since the aft crossmember is higher than the middle one.

 

[Aonarch]

Dang what a bummer! Did they expedite the correct parts?

 

[chevymitchell]

Dang what a bummer! Did they expedite the correct parts?

Yeah. They got it out quick. Arrived today, actually. Billet PB&J arms shipped yesterday.

 

[chevymitchell]

Got a good start on the bracket removal. Spent a couple hours this afternoon chopping off the bigger pieces.

Also, new 3 link upper bracket came in and old one went back already to RK.

Little at a time.

 

[failsafe306]

Got a good start on the bracket removal. Spent a couple hours this afternoon chopping off the bigger pieces.

Also, new 3 link upper bracket came in and old one went back already to RK.

Little at a time.

This is the part I’m dreading the most. I hear that cutting the welds with a grinder and peeling the remnants of the brackets off with an air chisel is the best way.

 

[chevymitchell]

This is the part I’m dreading the most. I hear that cutting the welds with a grinder and peeling the remnants of the brackets off with an air chisel is the best way.

Air chisel works great and a torch, too. I just use an angle grinder and a dremel so I don’t have to deal with dripping metal while I’m working over my head.

It’s a long process, but you don’t have to cut all the way through. The brackets can be peeled off once you’re about 95% through the material. The welds will pop and crack then bend the bracket back and forth. They’ll come right off after that. You can minimize the gouges in the frame by doing that.

Mine had some rust starting behind the control arm bracket. Glad to have that out of there.

 

[chevymitchell]

Got the ADS bumps mounted today. Along with every bracket cut off that needed to be. They’re ground down and weld prep is next.

I’ll snag a video and more pics tomorrow. Here’s some of the ADS front bumps and the tool I use to clean cut the tubes. Works fantastic.

 

[chevymitchell]

 

[chevymitchell]

Finally got the billet lowers in today.

Child for scale. Lol

 

[chevymitchell]

Started welding brackets in today. Got the 3 link upper in and both rear lowers welded to the frame. Then I ran out of wire… 12.5lbs of wire and I finally ran out. It’s something like 44,000 inches of wire in the spool. lol. Been welding for a long time with it.

Tomorrow will be more grinding and cutting on the rear axle. The 392XR uses a JT center section so the 4 nipples on the top of the housing need cut off and despite RK’s instructions, the factory XR rear Trackbar bracket needs cut off in order to center the 3 link cradle. Just more cutting required is all.

 

[chevymitchell]

I’m gonna go back and do a better job at annotating steps and nuances. May just update the first post once this is done.

3rd ramble video incoming.

Front arm brackets are completed. Next is rear upper shock mounts and the axle… still working it. So much material to remove.

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