Adjustable control arms

[jesse otis]

Installing a 4.5” Terra flex lift in my 2024 rubicon 4xe. Trying to decide if the adjustable control arms are worth the investment not or if I can install later if needed. Any experience?

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[Jamrock]

Which control arms would you use if you don't use the adjustable control arms?

 

[John VonJeep]

Well, with that much lift you don’t really have a choice. Stock control arms will result in some crazy caster, among other problems. Kinda crazy that TF sells that lift with no control arms.

 

[Remorseless]

Well, with that much lift you don’t really have a choice. Stock control arms will result in some crazy caster, among other problems. Kinda crazy that TF sells that lift with no control arms.

Teraflex sells a bunch of base kits that don't include shocks or control arms - basically with the intent that you build out the rest of the kit the way you want it, and pretty sure that they note that the kit is incomplete.

Edit: yes, they do

 

[John VonJeep]

Teraflex sells a bunch of base kits that don't include shocks or control arms - basically with the intent that you build out the rest of the kit the way you want it, and pretty sure that they note that the kit is incomplete.

Edit: yes, they do

Fair point. I missed that part.

Still, OP, YOU NEED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ARMS.

 

[Jamrock]

This video will explain how things work.

Basically, your Jeep comes from the factory with everything lined up. When you change the height of the vehicle, you will need to make adjustments to get everything lined up again.

 

[Remorseless]

Fair point. I missed that part.

Still, OP, YOU NEED ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ARMS.

Could probably get away with fixed arms or geometry brackets too. Most of the fixed arms and geo brackets for JL work up to a 4.5" lift. Just really, really at the edge of what they'll be good at.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

With 4.5 of lift, adjusting the length and/or position of the control arms is only the start of what you are going to need. Are you running 40-42" tires?

 

[John VonJeep]

Could probably get away with fixed arms or geometry brackets too. Most of the fixed arms and geo brackets for JL work up to a 4.5" lift. Just really, really at the edge of what they'll be good at.

No way I’d just run the brackets with stock control arms. You’ll still have some fucked caster. Note that places like Evo won’t even sell you a 4.5” kit without control arms (brackets optional).

https://evomfg.com/products/evo-man...ension-systems-for-jlu?variant=42156099109102

TBH, Teraflex is asking for problems doing it this way. I get why they do it, but the disclaimer could stand to be more clear. Gonna be awesome when some bush league shop installs this kit and sends the noob on his way.

 

[Remorseless]

No way I’d just run the brackets with stock control arms. You’ll still have some fucked caster. Note that places like Evo won’t even sell you a 4.5” kit without control arms (brackets optional).

https://evomfg.com/products/evo-man...ension-systems-for-jlu?variant=42156099109102

TBH, Teraflex is asking for problems doing it this way. I get why they do it, but the disclaimer could stand to be more clear. Gonna be awesome when some bush league shop installs this kit and sends the noob on his way.

Eh, there's tons of places that sell builder parts and individual coil springs, etc and have for decades and decades, what Teraflex is doing isn't new at all in the off road suspension game. Can't be so afraid of idiots we hold everybody's hand their whole lives, if someone fucks up that's on them.

Brackets should stay within reasonable caster. Remember gotta balance pinion angle too, and with that much lift, you're probably sacrificing caster for pinion anyway even with adjustable arms.

 

[John VonJeep]

Some advice to the OP: Abort this 4.5” lift idea until you know more about Jeep lifts. That’s expert-grade territory and you are clearly not an expert. This is not a knock on you. I promise that everyone commenting here has fucked up a lift kit before. Learn from our pain.

 

[Jamrock]

With 4.5 of lift, adjusting the length and/or position of the control arms is only the start of what you are going to need. Are you running 40-42" tires?

What he said. Why do you need such a tall lift?

 

[John VonJeep]

Eh, there's tons of places that sell builder parts and individual coil springs, etc and have for decades and decades, what Teraflex is doing isn't new at all in the off road suspension game. Can't be so afraid of idiots we hold everybody's hand their whole lives, if someone fucks up that's on them.

Yes and no. I agree, obviously, that builder parts should be available. But I also think the industry could do a better job of saving noobs from themselves.

Teraflex calls this kit

TERAFLEX 4.5IN COIL SPRING BASE LIFT KIT - NO SHOCKS

That implies that what’s missing is “shocks.” I know that there’s a little disclaimer on the bottom. Do you think that worked, given what OP posted above? This sink-or-swim approach to selling lifts to rookies is somewhat shitty IMO. I mean, Chemical Guys has better tutorials about how to wax your car than lift kit sellers have about how to lift your Jeep.

https://www.chemicalguys.com/blogs/exterior-how-tos

 

[Remorseless]

Yes and no. I agree, obviously, that builder parts should be available. But I also think the industry could do a better job of saving noobs from themselves.

Teraflex calls this kit

TERAFLEX 4.5IN COIL SPRING BASE LIFT KIT - NO SHOCKS

That implies that what’s missing is “shocks.” I know that there’s a little disclaimer on the bottom. Do you think that worked, given what OP posted above? This sink-or-swim approach to selling lifts to rookies is somewhat shitty IMO. I mean, Chemical Guys has better tutorials about how to wax your car than lift kit sellers have about how to lift your Jeep.

https://www.chemicalguys.com/blogs/exterior-how-tos

Natural selection will figure itself out, nature will heal. Tide pods shouldn't come with warning labels and neither should lift kits.

 

[jesse otis]

Some advice to the OP: Abort this 4.5” lift idea until you know more about Jeep lifts. That’s expert-grade territory and you are clearly not an expert. This is not a knock on you. I promise that everyone commenting here has fucked up a lift kit before. Learn from our pain.

Some advice to the OP: Abort this 4.5” lift idea until you know more about Jeep lifts. That’s expert-grade territory and you are clearly not an expert. This is not a knock on you. I promise that everyone commenting here has fucked up a lift kit before. Learn from our pain.

Wow. First off, I’m having this installed by a professional even though I’ve been lifting vehicles my whole life but with such a nice new vehicle I’m trying to let it dialed in as much as I can. I was Just wondering if the $1800 For the adjustable control arms was worth it. But hey, thanks for being so judgmental!

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