Metalcloak 3.5 Installed

[rustyshakelford]

I’m debating full game changer 3.5 or the dual rate. Will likely go full game changer.

Been spoiled by my JKU with drop brackets AND the benefits of metal cloak control arms up front.

I always suggest the Gamechanger and even have a true dual sitting on the shelf. I have a feeling it’s going to be there a while. I’d much rather have adj control arms over drop brackets any day! I think you’ll be very happy with either option from MC, absolutely a great company with terrific jeepers

Any questions, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them

Brett

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[Memcdowe]

I always suggest the Gamechanger and even have a true dual sitting on the shelf. I have a feeling it’s going to be there a while. I’d much rather have adj control arms over drop brackets any day! I think you’ll be very happy with either option from MC, absolutely a great company with terrific jeepers

Any questions, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them

Brett

Will do and thanks!

We don’t really have an alignment shop around here that specializes in adjustable control arms. So I’ll likely just set the arms to MC specs and go from there. I have a fairly good understanding of the necessary geometry etc.

One question, are there starting recommendations for the front and rear track bar lengths? Or do I just do those last. Let the Jeep settle, loosely install and measure, adjust etc?

 

[MarkY3130]

Will do and thanks!

We don’t really have an alignment shop around here that specializes in adjustable control arms. So I’ll likely just set the arms to MC specs and go from there. I have a fairly good understanding of the necessary geometry etc.

One question, are there starting recommendations for the front and rear track bar lengths? Or do I just do those last. Let the Jeep settle, loosely install and measure, adjust etc?

No starting measurements I know of. Just do them last. Rocking the Jeep side to side easily moves the Jeep and you just keep doing it until it’s centered up and then adjust the trackbar accordingly. Do this with tires on and Jeep on the ground obviously

 

[Memcdowe]

No starting measurements I know of. Just do them last. Rocking the Jeep side to side easily moves the Jeep and you just keep doing it until it’s centered up and then adjust the trackbar accordingly. Do this with tires on and Jeep on the ground obviously

Ok. That’s what I’ve done before

 

[rustyshakelford]

Will do and thanks!

We don’t really have an alignment shop around here that specializes in adjustable control arms. So I’ll likely just set the arms to MC specs and go from there. I have a fairly good understanding of the necessary geometry etc.

One question, are there starting recommendations for the front and rear track bar lengths? Or do I just do those last. Let the Jeep settle, loosely install and measure, adjust etc?

For track bars, MC doesn’t publish them. You can pull some up from RK x-factor install instructions. I can’t think of what they are off hand though.

Good deal, you’re going to love it.

Brett

 

[Memcdowe]

For track bars, MC doesn’t publish them. You can pull some up from RK x-factor install instructions. I can’t think of what they are off hand though.

Good deal, you’re going to love it.

Brett

I’ve already got the RK estimate written down for the front. Their rear starting measurement won’t work due to them using a bracket and MC not

 

[rustyshakelford]

I’ve already got the RK estimate written down for the front. Their rear starting measurement won’t work due to them using a bracket and MC not

It’s within a couple turns still. The bracket improves the roll center. My wife’s JL with x-factor has it and when I can get hers back on the lift I think I’m going to pull the bracket off.

Brett

 

[Memcdowe]

It’s within a couple turns still. The bracket improves the roll center. My wife’s JL with x-factor has it and when I can get hers back on the lift I think I’m going to pull the bracket off.

Brett

What’s the reasoning behind pulling it?

 

[rustyshakelford]

What’s the reasoning behind pulling it?

Its been a minute since I’ve been under hers but I want to say it rubs on the exhaust or something. Need to get her Jeep on the rack and check it over. Been lifted for 10k miles already and it’s easy to neglect our personal stuff

Brett

 

[Memcdowe]

Its been a minute since I’ve been under hers but I want to say it rubs on the exhaust or something. Need to get her Jeep on the rack and check it over. Been lifted for 10k miles already and it’s easy to neglect our personal stuff

Brett

Gotcha. Had friends say that they’ve had issues with brackets and aftermarket bars hitting exhaust. Seems those were Frankenlifts though.

 

[Memcdowe]

I always suggest the Gamechanger and even have a true dual sitting on the shelf. I have a feeling it’s going to be there a while. I’d much rather have adj control arms over drop brackets any day! I think you’ll be very happy with either option from MC, absolutely a great company with terrific jeepers

Any questions, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them

Brett

One more question (for now...ha), how much time should I allow for installing this loft myself? I have all the appropriate tools. Will be installing in my garage with a jack and jack stands....small and large impacts. For reference it took me and a couple buddies about 6 hours working leisurely to install the MC Overland 2.5 on my JKU. Going solo this time as one of my friends made several errors on his portion of the work.

 

[MarkY3130]

One more question (for now...ha), how much time should I allow for installing this loft myself? I have all the appropriate tools. Will be installing in my garage with a jack and jack stands....small and large impacts. For reference it took me and a couple buddies about 6 hours working leisurely to install the MC Overland 2.5 on my JKU. Going solo this time as one of my friends made several errors on his portion of the work.

I think it took me 10-12 hours by myself. Wasn’t my first install, but was my first on a JL. Make sure you have the proper drill bits and tools for widening the trackbar bracket. I decided to take the front brakes off to get better access for my drill when doing the shock mounts. Hardest part was handling the brake line bracket that is attached to the front control arm. Heat shroud on frame side front upper control arms has a blind bolt that was tricky to reinstall. Not hard, just frustrating.

Nothing was overly difficult or unusual.

 

[rustyshakelford]

One more question (for now...ha), how much time should I allow for installing this loft myself? I have all the appropriate tools. Will be installing in my garage with a jack and jack stands....small and large impacts. For reference it took me and a couple buddies about 6 hours working leisurely to install the MC Overland 2.5 on my JKU. Going solo this time as one of my friends made several errors on his portion of the work.

Mark pretty much nailed it. When I’m installing them, first thing I do is the control arms on the 4 post with the vehicle weight on it. Then move it to the two post for the lift install. It’s not bad or hard work but the MC requires a few things that can add some time. The outboard shock brackets can be trying, each Jeep is different but there’s way to get them to fit. Just take your time and it’ll be no prob.

Brett

 

[word302]

Yes but the difference being its a 3.5 inch kit with short arms and nets closer to to 4 -4.5depending on How your rig is set up. Vs say a mopar 2 inch if indeed you net only 2 inches that difference is negligible as it relates to lca angle.

Nobody is netting 2"with the Mopar kit.

 

[OnlyOne]

Nobody is netting 2"with the Mopar kit.

Mine did. About 1 3/4” after winch, skids and sliders. I actually added 3/4” spacers to the front. If they order the correct kit, they are just as most other kits. They always run higher to compensate for heavier accessories. My synergy kit on my JK was much the same. I ended up with 3-1\4” prior to bumpers and winch.

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