Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Specifications & General Maintenance
- Jeep Cherokee 1984-2001: Off-Roading Tips and Tricks
Important information to help you understand your Jeep Cherokee
Browse all: Specifications & General Maintenance
LOW COG suspension setup tricks/tips (REVISED 9-24-12)
#481
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Pasquotank, NC
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 0
Received 31 Likes
on
26 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
New to an old thread and not thrilled about reading the full 32 pages... been away for awhile.
Question: I'm considering adding control arm drop brackets (CAD) to my 3.5" OME short arm. CAD manufacturers generally recommend minimum 4.5" lift to use their CAD. Is that hard and fast rule or can I pull it off on 3.5" without negative effect (caster, maybe). And would a good alignment shop be able to get it right.
I'm not opposed to new coils (Metalcloak 4.5" progressive for instance) but if I can get away without..
Thanks
Question: I'm considering adding control arm drop brackets (CAD) to my 3.5" OME short arm. CAD manufacturers generally recommend minimum 4.5" lift to use their CAD. Is that hard and fast rule or can I pull it off on 3.5" without negative effect (caster, maybe). And would a good alignment shop be able to get it right.
I'm not opposed to new coils (Metalcloak 4.5" progressive for instance) but if I can get away without..
Thanks
I can tell you I have CAD brackets on mine at 5” of lift and it rides great. Does decent off-road for what I do.
The following users liked this post:
NOTNSUV (11-25-2020)
The following users liked this post:
Battle (11-28-2020)
#483
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,798
Received 313 Likes
on
263 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
At 3.5" itl be like a 1/2" lift after installing control arm drop brackets. Arms will be virtually at factory angles.
lower the lift the better. I dont think id do drop brackets with 2" of lift. Or 5" inch.
On 5" id be doing all kinds welding and cussing. Raise arms at the axle side and lower frame side..
3-4" is perfect for drop brackets.
I haven't yet been hung up on lower arms. Though bottom side of both arms are no wearing pretty heavy rock rash. I dont see control arm drop brackets getting hung up any worse than what mine dont. Lol
lower the lift the better. I dont think id do drop brackets with 2" of lift. Or 5" inch.
On 5" id be doing all kinds welding and cussing. Raise arms at the axle side and lower frame side..
3-4" is perfect for drop brackets.
I haven't yet been hung up on lower arms. Though bottom side of both arms are no wearing pretty heavy rock rash. I dont see control arm drop brackets getting hung up any worse than what mine dont. Lol
Last edited by EvanM; 12-01-2020 at 12:40 AM.
The following users liked this post:
NOTNSUV (12-15-2020)
#484
CF Veteran
At 3.5" itl be like a 1/2" lift after installing control arm drop brackets. Arms will be virtually at factory angles.
lower the lift the better. I dont think id do drop brackets with 2" of lift. Or 5" inch.
On 5" id be doing all kinds welding and cussing. Raise arms at the axle side and lower frame side..
3-4" is perfect for drop brackets.
I haven't yet been hung up on lower arms. Though bottom side of both arms are no wearing pretty heavy rock rash. I dont see control arm drop brackets getting hung up any worse than what mine dont. Lol
lower the lift the better. I dont think id do drop brackets with 2" of lift. Or 5" inch.
On 5" id be doing all kinds welding and cussing. Raise arms at the axle side and lower frame side..
3-4" is perfect for drop brackets.
I haven't yet been hung up on lower arms. Though bottom side of both arms are no wearing pretty heavy rock rash. I dont see control arm drop brackets getting hung up any worse than what mine dont. Lol
#485
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Really liked this write up. Definitely wanna do a LOW COG, but being as mine is also my DD and I'm currently on 33x12.5x15 at stock height with lil bit of trimming on the rear with 1.5 in spacers with stock Dana 30 and chrys 8.25 axels. I don't rock crawl in her she does see a lot of mud like a ridiculously huge amount of it but also alot of asphalt throughout the day. My question is what's the bare minimum I can do to keep it low like it is (or within 2.5 inches I reckon) and still be able to go from having her buried up to her radiator in the mud to hitting the street right afterwards I mean she does fine as she is I just feel like she could use more. And don't judge me on that breather tube lol old one busted and my brother threw that together so we could go muddin that day lol.
#486
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,798
Received 313 Likes
on
263 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
Raised axle seperation to 9 3/4" with a upper bracket i fabbed.
Still havent been hung to the stuck point
not sure i like tge heim taking hits before the 3/8" brackets
#487
CF Veteran
Really liked this write up. Definitely wanna do a LOW COG, but being as mine is also my DD and I'm currently on 33x12.5x15 at stock height with lil bit of trimming on the rear with 1.5 in spacers with stock Dana 30 and chrys 8.25 axels. I don't rock crawl in her she does see a lot of mud like a ridiculously huge amount of it but also alot of asphalt throughout the day. My question is what's the bare minimum I can do to keep it low like it is (or within 2.5 inches I reckon) and still be able to go from having her buried up to her radiator in the mud to hitting the street right afterwards I mean she does fine as she is I just feel like she could use more. And don't judge me on that breather tube lol old one busted and my brother threw that together so we could go muddin that day lol.
The following 2 users liked this post by unidentifiedbomb:
EvanM (02-20-2022),
XJlimitedx99 (01-17-2022)
#490
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,798
Received 313 Likes
on
263 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
Thats a badass xj. I want a 2door now. You have any vids of it on the trail?
Heres my lower brackets after some rock miles and rust
shes not so low now. 4.5"is I think.
rust everywhere theres bare metal.
Heres my lower brackets after some rock miles and rust
shes not so low now. 4.5"is I think.
rust everywhere theres bare metal.
#491
CF Veteran
I have a few videos between the 35s and two from the 37s. I'm going out again on the 28th so i'll see if i can get more videos. I'm learning where these tires like to play, 8psi was too much on the rocks.
How do you like those tires? I have cheap Ironmans that came with the wheels but i've been curious how those Razr's work, seem like the creepy crawlers are hit or miss.
How do you like those tires? I have cheap Ironmans that came with the wheels but i've been curious how those Razr's work, seem like the creepy crawlers are hit or miss.
#492
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,798
Received 313 Likes
on
263 Posts
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
Tires work well. I run about 15psi all around street trail driving. I dont do a ton of Rock crawling tires do very well on dirt and soft soil n mud.
I did manage to rip a sidewall out with maybe only 200 miles on tires. Put the bad tire on the rear and pressed on. I now pack a big Patch glue and means to dissmount and reset bead on the trail.
Pretty impressed this wheel survived. Ran it for 2-3 miles with no air then another 2-3 as pictured. This last climb took out a front 30 shaft then she was dead. Winching this last few hundred yds to where my pickup could get to. This climb seemed like 10 miles of dragging cable. Looking forward to your vids and pics
I did manage to rip a sidewall out with maybe only 200 miles on tires. Put the bad tire on the rear and pressed on. I now pack a big Patch glue and means to dissmount and reset bead on the trail.
Pretty impressed this wheel survived. Ran it for 2-3 miles with no air then another 2-3 as pictured. This last climb took out a front 30 shaft then she was dead. Winching this last few hundred yds to where my pickup could get to. This climb seemed like 10 miles of dragging cable. Looking forward to your vids and pics
#494
Great read, wish i would have saw last year when i built my 3 link, would have saved lots of late nights. Here a few pics, any questions i can answer, built all of it, bought very few pre made parts... id rather build than buy.
The following 3 users liked this post by Diamond_Ind: