Long arm rear lower arm mounts

[fasteddie760]

So, do the metalcloak rear lower frame side mounts really get in the way when playing in the rocks? Or are people just saying this from looks?

Ed

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[Headbarcode]

So, do the metalcloak rear lower frame side mounts really get in the way when playing in the rocks? Or are people just saying this from looks?

Ed

That tends to be said about their mid arm drop brackets. Their true long arm setup is still too new, so the Metalcloak shop vehicle is the only one with real experience so far. The long arm brackets definitely sit higher and more tucked than the drop brackets.

I tend to agree with some comments that I've read. That the drop brackets for the mid arms are best used on a daily driver that sees light to moderate offroad use. The long arms are the better option for a dd that also crawls larger obstacles where ground clearance is more important.

 

[Remorseless]

So, do the metalcloak rear lower frame side mounts really get in the way when playing in the rocks? Or are people just saying this from looks?

Ed

If you're using your Jeep to play in the rocks, everything underneath can, and in many cases, will get dragged. Long arms drag the arms and mounts, drop brackets drag the short arms and mounts, and short arms drag the arms and mounts - if you're doing more than mild trail rides, any and all of them will drag eventually.

IMO, if you're talking about drop brackets, most folks on the Internet make it out to be more of an issue than it actually is. If you look at the geometry of long arms vs drop brackets with short arms, the point where the bracket is there would an arm from a long arm kit sitting there in the same position under the Jeep. If you hit one, you'd hit the other.

 

[Roky]

If you're using your Jeep to play in the rocks, everything underneath can, and in many cases, will get dragged. Long arms drag the arms and mounts, drop brackets drag the short arms and mounts, and short arms drag the arms and mounts - if you're doing more than mild trail rides, any and all of them will drag eventually.

IMO, if you're talking about drop brackets, most folks on the Internet make it out to be more of an issue than it actually is. If you look at the geometry of long arms vs drop brackets with short arms, the point where the bracket is there would an arm from a long arm kit sitting there in the same position under the Jeep. If you hit one, you'd hit the other.

Unless it’s a RK long arm kit…..I increased ground clearance going to their long arms…..

Before……

I

after……

The biggest gain is the rear axle lca/shock brackets. RK lifts them 3-1/2”. The bolt circled is where factory shock mounts, and the arrow points to new mounting location…..

And here is some different views of the arms/brackets………

I’m not debating what’s better brackets or arms , they both play their respective roles depending on the consumer and how they use their rigs, I just want to clear up the misconception that you’ll lose ground clearance going to long arms, some you will but not with this kit….

 

[Remorseless]

Unless it’s a RK long arm kit…..I increased ground clearance going to their long arms…..

Before……

I

after……

The biggest gain is the rear axle lca/shock brackets. RK lifts them 3-1/2”. The bolt circled is where factory shock mounts, and the arrow points to new mounting location…..

And here is some different views of the arms/brackets………

I feel like I'm still good enough at finding a way to fuck up a line to find a way to smash something lol

But yeah, those do tuck up much higher than your typical bolt on long arm kit.

 

[fasteddie760]

I feel like I'm still good enough at finding a way to fuck up a line to find a way to smash something lol

But yeah, those do tuck up much higher than your typical bolt on long arm kit.

Ultimately this is what got me looking at the RK kit. That and the rear 3 link.

 

[Remorseless]

Ultimately this is what got me looking at the RK kit. That and the rear 3 link.

That'll remove a good amount of axle and shock bracketry, but with JKs and JLs (especially 4 doors), that big ass gas tank on the passenger side is your next hangup lower than the frame rails - aside from diffs. All depends on what you care about modifying to avoid hitting - but there is always something next in line to take its place!

 

[Roky]

That'll remove a good amount of axle and shock bracketry, but with JKs and JLs (especially 4 doors), that big ass gas tank on the passenger side is your next hangup lower than the frame rails - aside from diffs. All depends on what you care about modifying to avoid hitting - but there is always something next in line to take its place!

Of course there is, but I thought we were talking about the arms and brackets, lol….

 

[Remorseless]

Of course there is, but I thought we were talking about the arms and brackets, lol….

Kind of rambled off topic a bit there didn't I lol

 

[word302]

That'll remove a good amount of axle and shock bracketry, but with JKs and JLs (especially 4 doors), that big ass gas tank on the passenger side is your next hangup lower than the frame rails - aside from diffs. All depends on what you care about modifying to avoid hitting - but there is always something next in line to take its place!

Rockzilla for the win.

 

[Roky]

Rockzilla for the win.

That kit looks pretty badass, so when you getting it? Lol..

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Gaining extra ground clearance is desirable.

With regard to arc swing, raising the frame mount point has the opposite effect of lowering the frame mount point.

Trade-offs.

 

[word302]

That kit looks pretty badass, so when you getting it? Lol..

Have to finish the remodel. I’m mostly doing it all myself because I know I won’t be happy with anyone else’s work?

 

[Zandcwhite]

Unless it’s a RK long arm kit…..I increased ground clearance going to their long arms…..

Before……

I

after……

The biggest gain is the rear axle lca/shock brackets. RK lifts them 3-1/2”. The bolt circled is where factory shock mounts, and the arrow points to new mounting location…..

And here is some different views of the arms/brackets………

I’m not debating what’s better brackets or arms , they both play their respective roles depending on the consumer and how they use their rigs, I just want to clear up the misconception that you’ll lose ground clearance going to long arms, some you will but not with this kit….

A bolt on kit will always be a compromise compared to cutting off the old brackets and starting fresh. Most people aren't going that far and most don't need to either. Will you hit the brackets more on a short arm, drop brackets, or bolt on long arms? Absolutely. Will it cause any damage or stop you from completing an obstacle? Not likely in my experience. 25+ years of playing in the rocks out west and I can't think of a single time I was hung up on a control arm bracket. I've beat the hell out of them over the years, but the surface area is so small they will almost always slide along the rock rather than holding you up. Not knocking the rk kit at all, obviously it gains a bunch of clearance over the stock bracketry.

 

[Roky]

A bolt on kit will always be a compromise compared to cutting off the old brackets and starting fresh. Most people aren't going that far and most don't need to either. Will you hit the brackets more on a short arm, drop brackets, or bolt on long arms? Absolutely. Will it cause any damage or stop you from completing an obstacle? Not likely in my experience. 25+ years of playing in the rocks out west and I can't think of a single time I was hung up on a control arm bracket. I've beat the hell out of them over the years, but the surface area is so small they will almost always slide along the rock rather than holding you up. Not knocking the rk kit at all, obviously it gains a bunch of clearance over the stock bracketry.

Yeah, I understand all that, this is just how I chose to build my rig….Of course you can wheel with the brackets, I’m not saying you can’t. I have the means and the skill set to do all the work on my rig myself so I don’t have the labor costs others would….. besides I enjoy working on my rig as much as using it…lol… I never knock anyone for how they set up their rig, it’s really none of my business, I just put my opinions on here for those that want to hear them….lol…

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