Question about XJ long-arms...

Black00XJ · 02-22-2011, 02:20 PM

I have a question for all ya runnin long arms. What are the highway characteristics like? How is the on-road, high-speed stability? not tryin to be rude, but please no speculation or theories. My XJ is a pavement princess and I do a LOT more high-speed highway runs than off-roading. I am considering long arms for my XJ but would like opinions from drivers of long-arm equiped rigs. Thanks for any help on this.

humpy · 02-22-2011, 02:23 PM

i just did a custom long arm on an 01 xj with 6.5 inch coils and 3/4 heims for joints...the owner drove it to cleveland 2 weekends ago at highway speeds...he said it did shockingly well...the long arm drives and rides a lot better cause you dont have the steep angles of the short control arms with just a bolt on lift...but thats prob speculation lol

Black00XJ · 02-22-2011, 02:35 PM

LOL. I know the links are more parallel to the ground which transfers impact energy to the coil for a climbing action vs be transmitted to the "frame" instead. Im all for that, but I've heard a few things about long-arm equiped rigs being "unstable" or "scary" on the higway. From a tech stand point I dont get how this would be true. The geometry of the design looks as tho it should increase stability. Ive also heard long-arms rigs have more body roll and I corner pretty hard... often... I do like to pitch my XJ sideways any chance I get. Im also looking at control arm drop kit as this is a highway/DD rig but I really want the Iron Rock Off Road Iron-Y. Has anyone run one of these on road? I saw it in action and that lil booger is crazy!

Black00XJ · 02-22-2011, 02:38 PM

Right now im sittin around 4.5 - 5" on 31's w/uncut fenders.

RuffedUpXJ · 02-22-2011, 03:47 PM

Try and stay away from Y links, they are the ones that climb goofy. Try and shoot for a 3-link especially over the drop brackets. Read my thread in the Tech section for some info. You can make kits for a lot cheaper then ones in a catalog book. If you are pitching the XJ your sway bar and rear leaves will control your sway.

Black00XJ · 02-22-2011, 04:17 PM

Crap... I may put it all back to stock and go back to building lowriders... Short arms ride too harsh, Y's unload, I cant afford a 3-link and while I have the skills and equipment to fab one, I dont have a shop with power to work out of. This thing has been my DD for about 7 years. Maybe I should have left it alone since I dont wheel often. Ive been reading SO much about all XJ front link setups over the past 2 months preparing for this mod that I may have burned myself out :confused:

whacko810 · 02-22-2011, 02:26 PM

how much lift and what size tires are you thinking of running. I have a 97 with a 6.5 rustys long arm and it drives fine on the road. I was my dd and I would drive it from Cincy to Red River at 75mph all the time with no problems.

02-22-2011, 02:20 PM	#1
Black00XJ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: dont ask Posts: 18	Question about XJ long-arms... I have a question for all ya runnin long arms. What are the highway characteristics like? How is the on-road, high-speed stability? not tryin to be rude, but please no speculation or theories. My XJ is a pavement princess and I do a LOT more high-speed highway runs than off-roading. I am considering long arms for my XJ but would like opinions from drivers of long-arm equiped rigs. Thanks for any help on this.

02-22-2011, 02:23 PM	#2
humpy Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 573	i just did a custom long arm on an 01 xj with 6.5 inch coils and 3/4 heims for joints...the owner drove it to cleveland 2 weekends ago at highway speeds...he said it did shockingly well...the long arm drives and rides a lot better cause you dont have the steep angles of the short control arms with just a bolt on lift...but thats prob speculation lol __________________ S10 with a few air shocks..

02-22-2011, 03:47 PM	#5
RuffedUpXJ On XJ 2 Now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield Twp. Posts: 314	Try and stay away from Y links, they are the ones that climb goofy. Try and shoot for a 3-link especially over the drop brackets. Read my thread in the Tech section for some info. You can make kits for a lot cheaper then ones in a catalog book. If you are pitching the XJ your sway bar and rear leaves will control your sway. __________________ 88 XJ - 5" lift - 35" BFG's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented 87 XJ - D44 - Disco D30 - 235's - 231TC - Stock for now

02-22-2011, 02:35 PM	#3
Black00XJ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: dont ask Posts: 18	LOL. I know the links are more parallel to the ground which transfers impact energy to the coil for a climbing action vs be transmitted to the "frame" instead. Im all for that, but I've heard a few things about long-arm equiped rigs being "unstable" or "scary" on the higway. From a tech stand point I dont get how this would be true. The geometry of the design looks as tho it should increase stability. Ive also heard long-arms rigs have more body roll and I corner pretty hard... often... I do like to pitch my XJ sideways any chance I get. Im also looking at control arm drop kit as this is a highway/DD rig but I really want the Iron Rock Off Road Iron-Y. Has anyone run one of these on road? I saw it in action and that lil booger is crazy!

02-22-2011, 02:38 PM	#4
Black00XJ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: dont ask Posts: 18	Right now im sittin around 4.5 - 5" on 31's w/uncut fenders.

02-22-2011, 04:17 PM	#6
Black00XJ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: dont ask Posts: 18	Crap... I may put it all back to stock and go back to building lowriders... Short arms ride too harsh, Y's unload, I cant afford a 3-link and while I have the skills and equipment to fab one, I dont have a shop with power to work out of. This thing has been my DD for about 7 years. Maybe I should have left it alone since I dont wheel often. Ive been reading SO much about all XJ front link setups over the past 2 months preparing for this mod that I may have burned myself out :confused:

02-22-2011, 02:26 PM	#7
whacko810 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ross Posts: 70	how much lift and what size tires are you thinking of running. I have a 97 with a 6.5 rustys long arm and it drives fine on the road. I was my dd and I would drive it from Cincy to Red River at 75mph all the time with no problems.