Mopar LCA swap

[tinodm]

well maybe your caster was indeed in the 3.3 range prior if you now have the new longer LCAs, but you really should have seen an improvement at higher speeds if you increased your caster 1.5 to 2 degrees.

BTW, is everything else stock w/ your Rubicon, no additional lift, or any other changes?

Yes sir, stock.

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[rickinAZ]

Yes sir, stock.

I agree with Brad. Baffling. An unlifted Rubicon should drive like a champ with those longer (24.25") LCAs. I have a 2.0"/1.5" spacer lift and mine was transformed by 24.375" LCAs.

 

[tinodm]

I agree with Brad. Baffling. An unlifted Rubicon should drive like a champ with those longer (24.25") LCAs. I have a 2.0"/1.5" spacer lift and mine was transformed by 24.375" LCAs.

is it just supposed to make a difference at high speeds?

 

[tinodm]

If I'm reading this right, they didn't give you a castor reading.
Looks like castor is the first measure at the top of the page (3.8 - 5.8 field) but there is no reading in the grey box below. Could be if you're 6+ degrees it doesn't list it as it's outside their perameters.
This is before / after alingment but after LCA swap, so all the second page is showing is the changes they made there...

...and your toe was really out of whack on page 1. Surprised you weren't seeing extra tire wear on the front...

This is very possible. They omitted the caster readings because it was outside of the norm.... Which is a good thing I guess.

 

[rickinAZ]

is it just supposed to make a difference at high speeds?

Not necessarily, but it is more apparent at highway speeds. I added adjustable LCAs and a zero pressure pass-through steering stabilizer at the same time. I am usually skeptical about simple bolt-on fixes, especially steering stabilizers, but this was transformatively noticeable in the first minute on the highway.

This is not usually good praise for a JL, but it now steered as well as my previous JK.

p.s. I added the steering stabilizer because to wheel was slow to self-center after straightening out from a 90° turn. It worked immediately.

 

[AnnDee4444]

FWI: More caster will also help with the self-centering effect at low speeds.

 

[Rektek]

I just got my Mopar 68322798AA LCA's delivered. When I measured them they are barely over 24". I measured both sides of each arm in case the bushing was not centered. All 4 measurements were about 24 1/16 if I was generous. Not even close to 24 1/8". I checked the order, label and stamp on the arm in case they were marked wrong. Does this sound right?

 

[hoag4147]

I just got my Mopar 68322798AA LCA's delivered. When I measured them they are barely over 24". I measured both sides of each arm in case the bushing was not centered. All 4 measurements were about 24 1/16 if I was generous. Not even close to 24 1/8". I checked the order, label and stamp on the arm in case they were marked wrong. Does this sound right?

Interesting. They should measure center hole to center hole 24 1/4”

 

[Mark Elliott]

Installed my longer Mopar LCA’s on my 2018 JL 2-door Rubicon running 35’s, no lift. Very happy with the result, seems to steer and track better. Was a bitch to break the bolts loose, but this 66 year old gotta done. I took it to a local tire shop to torque too 190#’s. They didn’t charge me, i came back with a dozen Dunkin Donuts and tipped the guy that did it $20, well worth it.

 

[jmr]

Just installed the MOPAR LCA on my stock JL Willys yesterday and it does track better at highway speeds. When installing the LCA I turned the wheel to make it easier the get to the front bolt and noticed that the bolt holes for the MOPAR LCA lined up without issue.

I also noticed that the MOPAR LCA weigh more than the stock LCA.

 

[cbrenthus]

My JLUR is going in for the steering box on Wednesday. I have the LCAs ready to install, but not much time with many projects around the house and thinking about having the dealer install them while they are at it. However, I'd also like to see the difference the steering box makes on its own, then maybe do the LCAs a few weeks later.

 

[Jmos4]

Hi,

When everyone installed their longer LCA's did you loosen and retorque the upper control arms?

And are those the same torque 190ft/lbs?

Regards,
Jim

 

[Mabar]

Hi,

When everyone installed their longer LCA's did you loosen and retorque the upper control arms?

And are those the same torque 190ft/lbs?

Regards,
Jim

I did not touch my uppers. Just installed the lowers last week on my 2021, 2-door Rubicon. FANTASTIC improvement in steering and wandering!!

 

[rickinAZ]

My JLUR is going in for the steering box on Wednesday. I have the LCAs ready to install, but not much time with many projects around the house and thinking about having the dealer install them while they are at it. However, I'd also like to see the difference the steering box makes on its own, then maybe do the LCAs a few weeks later.

Your problem is with the stock LCA length on your Rubicon. The new steering box is a nothing burger, but you'll see that clearer when the box is replaced and you are still on stock 24" LCAs.

It only cost me $100 (labor only) to have adjustable LCAs installed. Money WELL spent.

 

[jmr]

Hi,

When everyone installed their longer LCA's did you loosen and retorque the upper control arms?

And are those the same torque 190ft/lbs?

Regards,
Jim

No I did not touch the uppers only the lowers.

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