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Lift and caster question

2K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  Pressurized 
#1 ·
I have a 2010 JK and when I first got it, I installed the Teraflex 2" leveling kit (2" in front, 1" in back.) I've since added Barricade HD bumpers front and back and a Smittybuilt 9500 lb winch with steel cable on the front. After installing the bumpers and winch, I replaced my stock springs with those from a 2017 JKU. I went from 14's in the front to 17's and 54's in back to 56's. I did this to fix the height lost from bumpers and winch but it made it a bit higher than it was with just the leveling kit and stock bumpers. I would like to add more caster but most of the bracket relocation kits I see are for 3.5" and up. Not sure I've gone a total of 3.5" or more but does anyone think I'd have problems with something like the AEV Geometry correction kit here?
 
#3 ·
The 2" Mopar lift should include new arms - so no brackets would be needed.

OP - you aren't lifted much at all - what was the total gain from the beginning being stock? If you are about 2-3"'s higher now, geo brackets could work, or you could look at a set of front arms. Personally, I'd look into arms over having the bracket hang lower underneath.
 
#4 ·
You do probably have enough lift to run the geo brackets. But when lifting at the lowest of lift heights it might be better to use a set of control arms to achieve the caster you are looking for. Mainly to preserve some ground clearance. And being adjustable allows you to dial in the caster you want.

https://www.allensoffroad.com/suspe...-2007-Present-Front-Lower-Adj-Control-Arm-Set

As for the Mopar 2", it's really a 2.5 to 3" lift and includes cam washers for caster correction... Definitely best to not use those and put on either geo brackets or control arms. I like the welded one piece design of the Rancho RS62103.
 
#5 ·
@Pressurized, I was also giving adjustable control arms some thought as well. One question about those, do you have to keep unbolting them, twist the end, then bolt back up to check for caster? Seems like kind of a pain. On race cars, we had adjustable control arms where you'd just loosen the lock nut, twist the bar, then retighten the nuts.
 
#7 ·
The Synergy arms can be adjusted while installed. Most of the others need to drop the adjustment end and turn the joint then reinstall. Most guys will try jam nuts on the Jeep... They are not getting the proper torque on them. Jam nuts are not your friend on control arms. The new TF Alpine arms have a pinch system that is light years ahead of jam nuts.

As for brackets, they do just fine on Moab, Rubicon Trail and @jadmt even had guys with him on Dusy Ershim.

I think it's fun to see what the trail looks like sometimes without a Jeep on it.

 
#6 ·
you can fine tune most all aftermarket arms with them on the vehicle, they have jam nut/ factory arms are not adjustable (also surprisingly made of very little metal) Arms over brackets is a no brainer. would not recommend the brackets over real adjustable arms if you plan to week end warrior wheel it on occasion.
 
#9 ·
Synergy front lower arms adjustable, they're angled to maximize ground clearance, have great bushings, and can be adjusted while they're on just turning the sleeve, i got mine at 35K plus miles, now at 96K, and i have done nothing but grease the zerks every 5-10k miles, ride is smooth, can do 90mph with one hand, and my Jeep doesn't follow ruts in the road.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the replies all. I think I may go with the arms that @Pressurized recommended in his link. I'm guessing I can just start with measuring stock and then go about 1/4" beyond that to start and see how it handles and adjust from there? It's currently just a bit more squirrely than I'd like.
 
#12 ·
I would start out less than 1/4". start at maybe 1/8"-3/16
 
#13 ·
3/16 is probably good at 2". I use the 1/4 on 2.5 and usually end up between 5 and 5.5 which I like.
 
#16 ·
well I would recommend Teraflex alpine arms. they have oem bushings.
 
#18 ·
I would do rubber, better ride quality.

The TF Alpines are great arms if you can swing the difference. Mainly just so easy to set up.
 
#22 ·
@AOR Thanks so much for the offer! Unfortunately I had already ordered some before I saw this but I'll definitely check back with you in the future! I may need some adjustable track bars soon!
 
#24 ·
@Pressurized and @jadmt and everyone else who replied, thanks so much for the help! Just installed the Teraflex Alpines and in just the short drive I took it was a world of difference! I ended up having to go about 1/4" longer than stock (you can't go half turns). I guess now I take it for an alignment sometime and see where the angle is. Might even go a bit more if I need to to get to 5 or 5.5 like Pressurized said.
A question I did have on length was, I thought I read somewhere that stock length, center hole to center hole, was 23". Mine was about 22 5/8. That sound about right? Regardless, it handles a lot better and wish I had done that a long time ago!
 
#26 ·
That's great! The 23" is actually a good starting point for a 2.5-3.5 lifted Jeep.
 
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