Mopar LCA swap

[Ribs33]

I did the upgrade today to an otherwise perfectly stock Rubicon, done in 45 minutes. Mine was build on 6/24/19 and still had short arms. I went from 4 degrees to 6 with the swap, and I must say now it drives perfectly. No more wandering or dead spot in the steering.

Did you install the Mopar 1/4" longer arms or aftermarket adjustable LCAs?

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[Z06Guy]

I installed the Mopar 1/4" longer arms. Best $66 I've spent on a jeep.

 

[D60]

This is interesting 'cause MetalCloak instructions for their lifts call out keeping the LCA's the same length and shortening the uppers 1/2"

 

[AnnDee4444]

This is interesting 'cause MetalCloak instructions for their lifts call out keeping the LCA's the same length and shortening the uppers 1/2"

That's because there is more than one way to adjust caster. MetalCloak is getting the same result from a different method.

The lower control arms are easier to access, which is probably why the Mopar kit comes with them in the first place.

 

[Tfom]

Anyone in Phoenix area looking for the extended lca's. I have an extra set (long story). $60.

 

[Ribs33]

Anyone in Phoenix area looking for the extended lca's. I have an extra set (long story). $60.

I’m looking for a pair in Illinois.

 

[chash50]

Just installed the Rubicon takeoffs springs and shocks on my 2018 JLU sport. The new rear springs numbers were 91 and 92 and the front springs were 61 and 62. Along with the springs and shocks I also installed the Mopar 2 inch lift lower control arms (82215398AB) and a Daystar 3/4 inch lift kit (DAYKJ09181BK) and cause of the problems with the track bar welds on the JL I also installed the Rusty’s front track bar mount brace (RC-TB7500-JL). Note: my jeep was not on the recall list but I installed the track bar mount due to I was under the jeep and with the spring removed it was easier to install. All the work took about 5 hours and when the work was completed I had the jeep realigned. With the new control arms the caster came in at 6. The Jeep tracks straight and steered very well. Here are the height numbers before and after the Rubicon parts install. Before Right front 37 1/8 Left front 37 1/8 Right rear 37 1/2 Left rear 37 5/8 After Right front 39 1/4 Left front 39 1/4 Right rear 39 1/4 Left rear 39 3/8 for about 2 inches of lift. If the Daystar 3/4 inch lift was not installed the lift would have been about 1 1/4 inches. The best thing my wife says the Jeep rides a lot better I think it is due to the shocks. This was a good way to go for a cheap lift using mostly Mopar parts. $200.00 for the Rubicon takeoffs, $50.00 Daystar 3/4 lift kit, $70.00 for lower control arms and $100 for the track bar mount for a total cost for parts of $425.00 plus $85.00 for alignment. If I did not added the track bar mount it would have cost $325.00 for a 2 inch lift. I have driven the Jeep about 2000 miles and very happy with the ride and handling. Next step is new tires and rims.

 

[bumpit]

I did the upgrade today to an otherwise perfectly stock Rubicon, done in 45 minutes. Mine was build on 6/24/19 and still had short arms. I went from 4 degrees to 6 with the swap, and I must say now it drives perfectly. No more wandering or dead spot in the steering.

After driving this jeep to compare it to mine I went home and ordered a set that night. It's a night and day difference. The amount of wandering is almost none on the highway now.

We had them on in 30 mins start to finish. Couldn't reccomend this enough for someone having issues.

 

[MDG]

So interesting thing here, I have a 2020 2 door Rubicon.

My LCA part numbers are 68250242AB but I just measured my caster and seem to be at 6 degrees.

I'm having some vibration at 60-65mph and I'm thinking it's coming from the front-end so I was thinking maybe too little caster but that doesn't seem to be the case.

To me a vibration at a certain speed would indicate a tire balance issue. I would have that checked but make sure they don't do a simple static balance (weights on the centerline of the wheel) as that won't always be good enough. You could always rotate the tires to see if the vibration moves from the front to the rear before having someone rebalance. If it moves that would tell you it is a balance issue.

 

[AnnDee4444]

So interesting thing here, I have a 2020 2 door Rubicon.

My LCA part numbers are 68250242AB but I just measured my caster and seem to be at 6 degrees.

I'm having some vibration at 60-65mph and I'm thinking it's coming from the front-end so I was thinking maybe too little caster but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I'll second what @MDG said. It isn't a caster issue, since the driveshaft does not turn in 2WD.

 

[cbrenthus]

I'm looking at doing this, so if anyone has a spare set in FL let me know. I'm going to double check that I have the short arms before I order, but after reading this entire thread I'm sure I do.

What about the track bar? It looks like my axle is a half inch off or so, and I'd assume if FCA didn't use different LCAs on Rubicons despite the lift, they probably didn't use a different trackbar either. Unfortunately the only solution I know of there is to get an adjustable track bar.

 

[yardsale]

This is by far the most interesting thread on the JL steering problems. My 2020 JLUR came with 68250242AB lower arms. I just ordered a set of the 68322798AA arms from Allmoparparts. Curious to measure the old ones to the new ones and see what is actually on the truck stock. Caster angle seems to be around 6 degrees stock, measured with an Iphone. I have an angle finder on the way as well.

 

[Cypher]

I was told that the longer control arms are now standard on some of the newer 2019 JLs (started somewhere in the middle of the 2019 production run). Can anyone confirm?

My 2020 JLUR has 68250242AB from the factory so I don't think they are putting the longer LCA on as standard.

I also measured the stock lca and new ones and the factory lca seem about 1/4 shorter. Granted this was not 100% accurate as the factory ones are still installed. Bolt holes do not line up as well so shows factory is shorter.

I have 68322798AA to install to add a bit of caster until I lift and put adjustable ones on. Ill report back on the difference. So far I have tested a 2020 stock, added Fox Factory Race ATS stabilizer, and will soon do LCA swap.

 

[SteadyC]

Installed the MetalCloak adjustable LCA today. Really didn’t have any steering issues but Teraflex 1.5 inch lift left me with 2 degree pinion angle, and thus 4 degree caster. Right? Adjusted the MC LCA’s and now have .7 degree pinion angle, which I think is now 5.3 degree caster. I could get the front LCA bolts by hand, but not the rears, had to run to Lowe’s to buy an impact wrench, they were tough. My torque wrench only goes to 150, so I’m not at 190 yet. Went for a quick test drive, still feels great, can let go of the steering wheel and it goes for a bit without needing to adjust.

 

[JimmyDoom]

So I'm bringing my Rubicon into an alignment shop on Monday. What is the latest caster and toe-in that people say is working to resolve "wondering" on the highway? I have adjustable LCA's and adjustable track bar. My caster is currently set to 5.5 and my toe-in I believe .2.

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