Help me improve my articulation/flex! Components from multiple manufacturers?

[Cips]

Hello all!
2021 Wrangler Unlimited Willys.
Currently running JKS 3.5" J Konnect lift. It replaced only the lower control arms. https://jksmfg.com/products/3-5-lift-kit-j-konnect-wrangler-jl-4-door
It is a good value for mild offroading, but as I do it more crawling I want a little more. Last year I went on @Metalcloak CTI scale and got an abysmal score and I want to get more performance out of my lift. Short of redoing the whole thing (why replace sway bar links, coils, track bars and relocation brackets?), would a full set of Metalcloak control arms be beneficial? https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-duroflex-control-arms-full-set.html

The difference I see in the control arms is the Metalcloak has the Duroflex joints while the JKS lift has the factory rubber style joints. My thoughts lead me to believe that this will allow more articulation.

If this will help, is it something I can do in my garage?

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[Roky]

Hello all!
2021 Wrangler Unlimited Willys.
Currently running JKS 3.5" J Konnect lift. It replaced only the lower control arms. https://jksmfg.com/products/3-5-lift-kit-j-konnect-wrangler-jl-4-door
It is a good value for mild offroading, but as I do it more crawling I want a little more. Last year I went on @Metalcloak CTI scale and got an abysmal score and I want to get more performance out of my lift. Short of redoing the whole thing (why replace sway bar links, coils, track bars and relocation brackets?), would a full set of Metalcloak control arms be beneficial? https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-duroflex-control-arms-full-set.html

The difference I see in the control arms is the Metalcloak has the Duroflex joints while the JKS lift has the factory rubber style joints. My thoughts lead me to believe that this will allow more articulation.

If this will help, is it something I can do in my garage?

You need to cycle the suspension, to see if you’re getting full extension and compression out of your shocks,….. I wouldn’t buy anything until you figure that out…a full set of control arms are only going to pay off if you’re maximizing the full potential of your 3.5” springs…..In other words if you’re shocks are the limiting factor of your articulation then control arms aren’t going to help……

 

[Metalcloak]

You will see more flex and better ride quality from the Duroflex control arm over what that manufacturer provides. @Roky is correct that other components can be the limiting factor as well, but after thousands of CTI tests, stock control arms are the first limit in the articulation on a lifted JL.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

You will see more flex and better ride quality from the Duroflex control arm over what that manufacturer provides. @Roky is correct that other components can be the limiting factor as well, but after thousands of CTI tests, stock control arms are the first limit in the articulation on a lifted JL.

Are they limiting because of the lack of mobility since they have to be torqued at ride height in turn limiting their ability to fully flex? Where as yours can be torqued at any angle because of the free moving design!?

 

[ColonelSanders]

What was your terrible CTI score?

when it’s on the ramp you should ask their pro what is limiting your flex. My RC diff armor was hitting my skid plates, my sway bar links were too short..

 

[Cips]

You need to cycle the suspension, to see if you’re getting full extension and compression out of your shocks…..In other words if you’re shocks are the limiting factor of your articulation then control arms aren’t going to help……

I do plan on an at home flex test/suspension CTI using some ramps, blocks, and jacks. How will I know if the shocks are at their full compression or extention? They are Fox Adventure Series 2.0. I did find this measurements online, like 15.xx" compressed and 28.xx" extended.

What was your terrible CTI score?

when it’s on the ramp you should ask their pro what is limiting your flex. My RC diff armor was hitting my skid plates, my sway bar links were too short..

It was 680. I had a line of people behind me and didn't want to bother holding anyone up. I suppose I should have.
Afterwards I did have a local 4x4 shop put it on a forklift. He said 'honestly I would leave it as is. It's extremely capable now and Toyota guys would kill for this flex. You could spend a ton more money and get to the point of diminishing returns. Is it doing what you want it to?'

 

[Roky]

I did find this measurements online, like 15.xx" compressed and 28.xx" extended.

When you flex it out next time measure the shocks eye to eye and see if you’re at the measurement they call out… if you’re not getting to 28.xx and 15.xx then there’s something else limiting your flex, and it could be the oem control arms, or a few other things. But if you are at or really close to the numbers then that’s all you’ll get unless you run longer shocks. If the shock says it’s 28.xx ext and you’re at 28 measured then adding control arms isn’t going to help you….….

From looking at your pics, you look like it’s flexing pretty good, it really depends on how deep into it you want to go, and how you want to spend your money on it….

 

[Metalcloak]

Are they limiting because of the lack of mobility since they have to be torqued at ride height in turn limiting their ability to fully flex? Where as yours can be torqued at any angle because of the free moving design!?

(1) The stock clevite bushing simply does not have high misalignment capability... does not flex as much as ours... and (2) in some cases the body of the bushing housing binds in the bracket, preventing flex.

 

[Cips]

When you flex it out next time measure the shocks eye to eye and see if you’re at the measurement they call out… if you’re not getting to 28.xx and 15.xx then there’s something else limiting your flex, and it could be the oem control arms, or a few other things. But if you are at or really close to the numbers then that’s all you’ll get unless you run longer shocks. If the shock says it’s 28.xx ext and you’re at 28 measured then adding control arms isn’t going to help you….….

From looking at your pics, you look like it’s flexing pretty good, it really depends on how deep into it you want to go, and how you want to spend your money on it….

Thanks for the guidance. I plan to measure everything out next week. (Gotta build some sort of ramps/blocks to get the wheels up). I'm sure I'll follow up here with my findings.

 

[CloakedWillys]

Thanks for the guidance. I plan to measure everything out next week. (Gotta build some sort of ramps/blocks to get the wheels up). I'm sure I'll follow up here with my findings.

Sounds like a plan. Feel free to give us a call with any questions. More than happy to help you dial it all in .

 

[jeepingib]

Thanks for the guidance. I plan to measure everything out next week. (Gotta build some sort of ramps/blocks to get the wheels up). I'm sure I'll follow up here with my findings.

There's a helpful forum member here who has some plan designs for building your own ramps, right @Roky ?

 

[roaniecowpony]

When you flex it out next time measure the shocks eye to eye and see if you’re at the measurement they call out… if you’re not getting to 28.xx and 15.xx then there’s something else limiting your flex, and it could be the oem control arms, or a few other things. But if you are at or really close to the numbers then that’s all you’ll get unless you run longer shocks. If the shock says it’s 28.xx ext and you’re at 28 measured then adding control arms isn’t going to help you….….

From looking at your pics, you look like it’s flexing pretty good, it really depends on how deep into it you want to go, and how you want to spend your money on it….

This one of the reasons I've stuck with the Metalcloak Rocksport Red 30" shock. I'm no desert racer that needs $3k-6k remote res massive shocks. I'm moving toward a long arm and 32" Rocksports.

 

[Cips]

There's a helpful forum member here who has some plan designs for building your own ramps, right @Roky ?

I messaged @failsafe306. I saw he built some in his build thread.
And for clarification, my shocks I have now are listed for 18.45" compressed and 29.55" extended.

 

[CloakedWillys]

I messaged @failsafe306. I saw he built some in his build thread.
And for clarification, my shocks I have now are listed for 18.45" compressed and 29.55" extended.

Yeah, If that is the length of the front shocks it looks like somethign is binding up. If that is the rear the front would be about 27.5 extended and might make more sense with the flex you are seeing.

 

[jeepingib]

I messaged @failsafe306. I saw he built some in his build thread.
And for clarification, my shocks I have now are listed for 18.45" compressed and 29.55" extended.

I tagged Roky, because I know that he built his own as well. Best of luck to you.

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