Lift Heights and Control Arm Length - Need Clarification

[Yardstick]

I'm considering doing something about the frequent and annoying bottoming out of my '21 JLURD. Today I visited a local off-road shop and was given some information that is news to me. The person at the shop said that there is no need to change the stock control arms for up to 2.5" lifts. That surprised me because the Mopar 2" lift comes with new front, lower control arms and my understanding was that they were longer to fix/improve the caster angle for the front end. He said those arms are the same length as stock. Are they, really?

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[jadmt]

technically you might not need to change them but you will have better highway driving with more caster. pretty sure the mopar 2" lower control arms are longer.

 

[jeepingib]

I'm considering doing something about the frequent and annoying bottoming out of my '21 JLURD. Today I visited a local off-road shop and was given some information that is news to me. The person at the shop said that there is no need to change the stock control arms for up to 2.5" lifts. That surprised me because the Mopar 2" lift comes with new front, lower control arms and my understanding was that they were longer to fix/improve the caster angle for the front end. He said those arms are the same length as stock. Are they, really?

Do not walk, but run from that place. None of what he said is good information. The Mopar arms are longer than the normal factory ones. And heck even stock Jeeps drive better with them. From the factory some Jeeps have less than 5° of caster, which is pretty terrible to drive. And a 2.5" lift will only make it much worse.

 

[RicRecon]

I can tell you that when I added my 1.5” spacer lift, steel bumper/skid, and winch to my 21 JLURD, I needed new adjustable front LCAs as the ride was substantially different (worse) than stock. i lengthen the new ones about 1-2 turns out from stock length, had an alignment done and I love it.

Edit - after alignment, I ended up about 6.7° caster.

 

[Reinen]

You may not NEED to change control arms but there are reasons why you would WANT to change control arms.

You will notice the reduced caster in your steering, especially on the highway. Steering will wander more and have less force returning to center. Aftermarket control arms are stronger with better bushings.

But the Jeep will operate without changing control arms. Just not as well.

 

[4xFUN]

Guy you talked with at that shop is a moron. Period.

 

[GATORB8]

Mopar LCAs are 1/4” longer than stock.

 

[bcupton]

I have an 18’ JLUS and I have a 2.5” Mopar Fox Lift and I had ‘highway float’ at speeds above 65. I installed adjustable MetalCloak CAs and now I can drive 90 and no problems!

So technically no, but like someone mentioned earlier RUN don’t walk away!!

 

[word302]

The rubicons come from the factory with caster that is already too low. Add a lift and it gets pretty bad. Between that and the fact that the Mopar lift control arms are 1/4” longer than stock I’d find a new shop or do your own wrenching. The guy is at best misinformed.

 

[SoK66]

I'm considering doing something about the frequent and annoying bottoming out of my '21 JLURD. Today I visited a local off-road shop and was given some information that is news to me. The person at the shop said that there is no need to change the stock control arms for up to 2.5" lifts. That surprised me because the Mopar 2" lift comes with new front, lower control arms and my understanding was that they were longer to fix/improve the caster angle for the front end. He said those arms are the same length as stock. Are they, really?

The Mopar 2" kit's front lower control arms are 1/4" longer than stock.

 

[Yardstick]

It seems like I need to dig back into the suspension/lift world again. I was looking fairly soon after I brought the jeep home. This was before some of the lift brands even recognized that the Diesel Wranglers needed different springs. I had my eye on certain lift brands too but lots of new stuff has come out. I was hoping to find a good shop to do the work for a few reasons. After talking with someone at another shop yesterday it really seems like the DIY route is the way to go. I should be able to get to it eventually.

 

[word302]

It seems like I need to dig back into the suspension/lift world again. I was looking fairly soon after I brought the jeep home. This was before some of the lift brands even recognized that the Diesel Wranglers needed different springs. I had my eye on certain lift brands too but lots of new stuff has come out. I was hoping to find a good shop to do the work for a few reasons. After talking with someone at another shop yesterday it really seems like the DIY route is the way to go. I should be able to get to it eventually.

It’s really a pretty straight forward install. Plenty of help available on these boards, just ask.

 

[Yardstick]

It’s really a pretty straight forward install. Plenty of help available on these boards, just ask.

Mechanically I’m not too worried about doing it. I have some tall jack stands that should be fine for the frame and smaller ones that I can use on the axle. I’ve probably got better tools than some of these shops. The biggest problem I’m going to have is dealing with my bad back. I’m recovering but it has been rough so all the Jeep yoga that I’ll have to do to get the parts on could be a challenge.

 

[Flip]

@jeepingib

Don't walk but run from that place.

This is what I would do. ?

 

[4xFUN]

Mechanically I’m not too worried about doing it. I have some tall jack stands that should be fine for the frame and smaller ones that I can use on the axle. I’ve probably got better tools than some of these shops. The biggest problem I’m going to have is dealing with my bad back. I’m recovering but it has been rough so all the Jeep yoga that I’ll have to do to get the parts on could be a challenge.

Just out of curiosity what shop told you this nonsense? If you are not comfortable naming the off road shop, what part of the valley was it in? Like I said before the guy is a moron who told you that but...there is always the chance he was new and NOT the one who would be working on or ordering your parts--at least we can hope!

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