Mopar LCA swap

[J.Ferreira]

Hmmm, the one I'm talking about is 700 ft lbs, with 1200 ft lbs of breakaway torque.

Oh
Well… lemme go to Google.

Sponsored

 

[Jtphoto]

Do you remember what your caster was at with the 2.5” springs, mopar LCAs and before the heavy bumper? I’m debating which route to go on my XR. Thinking 3/4” spacers and Mopar LCAs if the mopar arms aren’t enough for the RK springs. Did you have to change sway bar end links or anything else with the springs? Thanks.

I never had the caster angle checked. I’ll do that after all the lift stuff and extra parts are complete.
- I did 3.5” front springs, 2.5” rear springs
- MC RockSport shocks
- MC front pro alignment brackets
- Mopar lower control arms (waste of time and $ because it wasn’t enough to make any difference with taller springs)
- MC front trackbar on the way

 

[Jtphoto]

Hmmm, the one I'm talking about is 700 ft lbs, with 1200 ft lbs of breakaway torque.

I use the regular DeWalt small 150ftlb impact for putting things together and use the big one you mention for taking things apart.

 

[unsavory]

I use the regular DeWalt small 150ftlb impact for putting things together and use the big one you mention for taking things apart.

Lol, same here. That big one is a beast. It's a bit much for most things, but invaluable when you need it.

 

[VAXRUBI]

Has anyone actually measured the caster on an XR? There's a possibility that the mounts are in a different location.

2022 XR alignment after some hard wheeling. Only mod at the time was full undercloak system. Hard top, tow package, plastic bumpers- which according to your spreadsheet (my p/n matched what you have recorded) received the same springs as the steel ones in 22. I have the mopar LCAs coming in and will try to get a reading at some point after. Caster barely in spec in stock form and unfortunately drives like it.

 

[rickinAZ]

Oh
Well… lemme go to Google.

I paid $100 for my local independent Jeep shop to install my LCAs. Saved on the brain damage.

 

[Retired Jeeper]

Do you remember what your caster was at with the 2.5” springs, mopar LCAs and before the heavy bumper? I’m debating which route to go on my XR. Thinking 3/4” spacers and Mopar LCAs if the mopar arms aren’t enough for the RK springs. Did you have to change sway bar end links or anything else with the springs? Thanks.

I have a 2023 XR. I added 1" spacers and the longer Mopar LCAs. Checked my caster today and was at 6.9. I'm very satisfied with the way it drives. I did not change sway bar links but it's possible I'll have to after adding Bilstein 5160 shocks for a 2-3" lift. My initial thought is I'll be okay with the stock links but will find a ramp or something else to get to full droop just to test my theory. The shocks definitely increased travel and, for my tastes, improved the ride and handling.

 

[VAXRUBI]

I have a 2023 XR. I added 1" spacers and the longer Mopar LCAs. Checked my caster today and was at 6.9. I'm very satisfied with the way it drives. I did not change sway bar links but it's possible I'll have to after adding Bilstein 5160 shocks for a 2-3" lift. My initial thought is I'll be okay with the stock links but will find a ramp or something else to get to full droop just to test my theory. The shocks definitely increased travel and, for my tastes, improved the ride and handling.

Thanks for the info. Interested to see how it is with the shocks.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Reporting back after two weeks highway and local runs. I did retorque the bolts. The steering feels tighter and has better return-to-center. I had a slight left pull before the swap, now a bit right pull sometimes, I think it’s all due to road crown. Doesn’t bother me at all. Got the caster angles checked today, see before and after numbers for reference. Thanks everyone for all the useful tips! My Jeep tracks better. No regrets.

 

[jav_eee]

Hmmm, the one I'm talking about is 700 ft lbs, with 1200 ft lbs of breakaway torque.

Ive got a Milwaukee with “1400 ft lbs of nut busting torque” that didn’t even make them budge.

 

[blnewt]

Ive got a Milwaukee with “1400 ft lbs of nut busting torque” that didn’t even make them budge.

Sometimes an overnight blast w/ some good bolt breaker fluid will get those impact wrenches some help. The best there is IME is a 50/50 mix of acetone and regular ATF, much better than PB blast or other commercial rust busters.
I still go to a large breaker bar w/ cheat pipe, rarely have to go any further.

 

[OrneryBear]

Ive got a Milwaukee with “1400 ft lbs of nut busting torque” that didn’t even make them budge.

I have the same impact and I had to turn it up to max and beat on them for a bit before they came loose, definitely overtorqued from the factory for sure. Jeep only had 3k on it.

 

[Scooter2022JL]

Just wanted to add another successful JL Rubi XR Mopar LCA swap. Night and day difference in drivability. Angle gauge on lower knuckle results looks like I picked up 2-3 degrees! Spend the $70 if your on the fence...Easy install & well worth it!

Happy Trails,
Scooter

Before

After

Before

After

 

[LVLAaron]

Just swapped mine. Took maybe an hour... most of it going back and forth to my toolbox to get the right combination of things.

 

[LVLAaron]

It started raining so I didn't get on the highway, but did get up to 50 or so. I can certainly tell a big difference. Much easier to keep it going in a straight line. Before it felt a little like a boat where you always have to fight it a little bit.

I do need an alignment now, the steering wheel is a tiny bit to the left. Is that something I can easily adjust myself?

Sponsored