Soon to be upgrades

[dlargo]

Evening all,

I am looking to do some upgrades over my Christmas break and looking for some advice. I have a 2001 XJ, 4.0L, 231 TC, AW4 Auto. Nothing fancy. Over the last year I have install an OME 2.5" lift, JCR Front Bumper, added some ravine wheels with 235/75/15 Wranglers. All tie rods ends and sleeves have been replaced as well. Recently I have replaced the electric fan, power steering pump, and water pump. I plan to replace the fan clutch within the next few weeks as well. My question concerns the lower control arms as well as the trackbar. Both are original and I would like to replace them for the sake of knowing that is done. I stick to mostly light trails and beaches. Will I need adjusted arms or will fixed be ok? Any advice you have will be appreciated. I don't mind spending more now for better quality.

I would also like to do the motor mounts (Browndog).

Thanks
Daniel Argo

 

[TexasGuidedExpeditions]

Welcome, fellow JEEPER! You should be fine with either fixed or stock control arms up until you reach 3.5" of lift. As for the track/panhard bar it is the same, but I would highly recommend an adjustable one to ensure yourself and the safety of your rig(axle alignment). I see you are from Houston,Tx., I have family near the woodlands and plan on traveling down there for X-MAS this year, Will look out for you. If you want to do some traveling and you are welcome to come, check us out here for a upcoming North TX trip and @ LSJC.com for future events near you and us.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/118570-north-Texas

 

[dlargo]

Overland Zj....thanks for the info. I am actually about 5 minutes south of the Woodlands in Spring. Let me know.

Danny

 

[Ex Jay]

with 2.5" The stock length is just fine. There is no need for aftermarket, however if you are in need of new ones consider the wj conversion or an aftermarket arm that utilizes rubber rather then poly. I am going with the JKS lower arms. The ride is so much nicer on rubber. Same goes for the motor mounts get the M.O.R.E bombproof. You will still get more vibration then stock but less then poly.

For the track bar you have a few choices but whatever you decide I recommend drilling the axle side to 1/2" and use new hardware.
I dont think I'd bother recentering my axle with that small of a lift. I would probably just buy a quality replacement.

For aftermarket kevins offroad and iron rock offroad seem to be the go-to's. I havent decided which one im gonna buy yet.

 

[dlargo]

Ex Jay...I don't think I need longer I just want to get better when I replace them. I like the JKS as well and I will look into the MORE but do you think they are that much better than the Brown Dog?

Thanks
Danny

with 2.5" The stock length is just fine. There is no need for aftermarket, however if you are in need of new ones consider the wj conversion or an aftermarket arm that utilizes rubber rather then poly. I am going with the JKS lower arms. The ride is so much nicer on rubber. Same goes for the motor mounts get the M.O.R.E bombproof. You will still get more vibration then stock but less then poly.

For the track bar you have a few choices but whatever you decide I recommend drilling the axle side to 1/2" and use new hardware.
I dont think I'd bother recentering my axle with that small of a lift. I would probably just buy a quality replacement.

For aftermarket kevins offroad and iron rock offroad seem to be the go-to's. I havent decided which one im gonna buy yet.

 

[editedforsafety]

Another manufacturer to look at is http://www.ironman4x4fab.com/ . All of Andy's stuff if very beefy, well thought out, and the quality is superb.

 

[Ex Jay]

editedforsafety: The issue with a solid link and rubber or poly ends is that it will fight against flex. Ok sure, a 2.5" isn't a flex monster but the bushings tend not to last very long. That is why I like the JKS ones. However, it would be interesting to see how a johnny joint on one end and a rubber on the other would work, even though they dont list it as an option.

Also their track bar will not work for him.

 

[Ex Jay]

Ex Jay...I don't think I need longer I just want to get better when I replace them. I like the JKS as well and I will look into the MORE but do you think they are that much better than the Brown Dog?

Thanks
Danny

Yes sir, as far as I'm concerned Poly motor mounts are just about as bad as aluminum ones (yes I did have aluminum mounts in a car before). Both will soften up a tad over time but the way they do this matters. The poly mounts end up sloppy, where the bombproof mounts seem to just soften up the rubber a bit without any actual slop. So while the cost of the MORE ones seems steep it's well worth it in anything I'm gonna be sitting idle in. Of course others may say I'm nutz. lol

 

[Stumpalump]

Don't waste a dime on short arms. I used JKS (the best) upper and lower arms but it does not fix the downward angle of the arms. If you are high enough to need adjustability then you are too high for short arms. Save up for long arms and that will fix everything that is wrong with the ride and alignment. They are pure magic compared to any short arm as far as ride and flex. It also sounds like you have had cooling problems. XJ radiators don't last for some reason. 2001 may still have the original one in it. That is almost always an XJ's cooling problem. Strong motor mounts will stop your header from cracking so do that and a radiator first. When you do a track bar do it with a mount that ties into your steering box bolts. The thing will be stiff and drive solid after that.

 

[Ex Jay]

Long arm on a 2.5" lift?

That bumper should already be tied into the steering.

 

[dlargo]

Yes. the JCR bumper is tied into the steering bolts. Could I still add the trackbar mount to the steering box mount. @ stumpalump there were no specific issues with the cooling. The water pump just gave up one day and the fan flew apart one afternoon. I check the oil for residue once a week and nothing so far...

Long arm on a 2.5" lift?

That bumper should already be tied into the steering.

 

[Stumpalump]

That's the best way to do a bumper on an XJ. If you do a track bar mount then tie the bumper mount to the track bar mount. I just made a cardboard template to fill the gap and welded in a plate made from the templet. It makes the whole front end rock solid feeling. As far as you needing long arms or any mods then no but long arms are one of the best things you can do to an XJ to smooth out the bumps. Short arms beat you up as soon as you lift it an inch.

 

[Ex Jay]

The stock track bar mount is very sturdy, so if your gonna weld anything you might as well get a chassis stiffener kit and get it over with. Then just bolt the stock one back in place. For a lil extra peace of mind you can throw a few stitches around it. Then if you want even more beef up front, add a steering brace to the box. Not gonna get much better then that.