I have pieced together my 4" long arm lift on my TJ. And it rides great. And it's even Rough Country on a lot of stuff. Getting ready to swap joints out for Johnny Joints. But even with worn joints, this is the best it's ever been. It's all about the angles of everything!
We have an ‘04 Rubicon with a 6” Nth Degree long arm kit on ORO AirRock kit. We also just picked up a 2006 LJ Rubicon and I would sell my left kidney to get my hands on a Nth Degree lift kit for it. Such a good kit.
Great video, Harry. One thing I'll throw in here is that I am always an advocate for stiff shocks when rockcrawling. Going way back to when Rancho 9000's first came out and were the bee's knees, I've always used adjustable shocks. Currently I have Icons on my JTRD (in part because nobody at SDI would get back to my inquiries regarding their eClik shocks. Oh well.) On the street, I usually like to keep the shocks around the middle of their firmness range, unless I am hauling a load in which case I firm them up accordingly. When I tow a heavy trailer, the rears are set all the way stiff to help control all that additional sprung weight and minimize sway. If I'm bombing across desert 2-tracks at maximum speed, I'll also set the shocks all the way stiff to help prevent bottoming out, but I understand that like your LJ, I'm not driving a trophy truck, so I usually like to back off on the throttle and enjoy a more relaxed drive, so I'll set the shocks near the soft end of the scale and let the suspension eat. If I'm putting a lot of miles on "nuisance rocks" like what you find on the Deer Valley trail, I'll set them all the way soft and just mush my way over the rocks like a marshmallow. But if I'm doing some actual rockcrawling like on the Rubicon, I set the shocks all the way firm, which is the opposite of what most people recommend. I've tried all different settings, and the reason I like them firm is because they take all the bounce, all the head-toss, all the excessive movement out of the sprung weight. I'm not moving fast enough while rockcrawling to feel any ride quality difference with the shocks so stiff, but boy does the vehicle stay planted to the terrain. This is particularly beneficial when off-camber or doing large drop-offs where I'm approaching the tipping point with the center of gravity. Soft shocks allow a lot of wallowing that could result in the vehicle dumping itself onto its side, but with stiff shocks all excess motion is controlled and the vehicle just sticks to the terrain like velcro. Since you have such quick and easy on-the-fly adjustment from in the cab, give it a try and see if you agree with my findings about stiff versus soft shocks in the rocks.
100% you do. Great content. As a suspension guru as well you nailed every point. Great job and now I’m buying that active ride set up for my off road customers.
Quality info, Harry. I'm making choices with my TJ build according to some of your findings with your LJ. Your presentation on the eClik shock is warranting more consideration by me. Thanks for sharing!
I used to be heavy into off roading, spent over $100k . And can tell you DO NOT get into off roading .it will only make you poor. Get a decent pickup truck or suv and get a dirt bike, dual sport bike, or rokon 2x2 awd bike. You will save yourself many thousands of dollars and save from grief, break downs, towing costs, repair costs
Great video !!! I have a 2012 Call of Duty MW3 Wrangler Rubicon unlimited. Currently running: Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear Nitro Ridge Grappler “33” 285 70R 17. The best tire. What would be a good spring to upgrade over the Rubicon? Jeep is a daily. The goal is reliability and durability. I intend to pass the Jeep down to my son one day 🙏🏻🙌🏻 Thank you again,
Super awesome video, I love the information. I installed coilovers on all 4 corners on my jku and air bumps on the front axle. I haven't installed the rear air bumps or tuned the shocks yet, but it is really awesome so far.
I own a 01 tj.i was thinking about fitting jk arms into my tj.im only wsnting a 3 inch lift.i currently run a terflex very old lift kit its msybe 2.5 inch
Nice Jeep! I am building a 2004 LJ and have "analysis paralysis" and was wondering if you could give me a little guidance? I want the best ride and handling possible. I want to clear 35" tires. I only 4wheel on dirt trails and no rock crawling. So the decision I am struggling with is a long arm kit worth the investment if I am not looking for the most flex possible or will I notice a huge difference in the ride quality of the long arm kit over a short arm kit? Thanks
@@HarrySituations I guess when you only lower the front bottoms an inch it doesn't counter react. I've geo corrected my rear short arms 3" and it's great, I'm thinking about doing the front lowers an inch now. Thanks
How to make your Jeep handle great. Step 1. Start with the unicorn of Jeeps. Step 2. Find unicorn Jeep that has amazing discontinued aftermarket parts already installed. Step 3. Spend $10k in additional suspension parts. Step 4. Make TH-cam video.
Can you redrill the LCA mounts lower without changing the mounts on the uppers? Does this not interfere with Anti-squat etc? I'm really looking to improve the ride on my TJ with 3.5" RE lift and Bilsteins. Have adjustable arms all round so I can dial the pinion angle back if necessary.
The uppers don’t have much extra space to relocate them so I did not go through the effort. It does change the anti-squat but I find more separation to improve it, not degrade it.
Yeah probably altogether. I’ve made them incrementally over the years, but probably $2k for shocks, another $2500 for the E-Click reservoirs, $2k for control arms, $1500 for the ACOS air bumps. It adds up quickly!
Did you use custom tracbars front and rear when you moved the racket outside the frame and used a bushing instead of the ball joint mount or does the JKS bar have the length to extend out further? I already have the JKS adj. front and rear.
It did not fit afterwards. In addition to being too short it also have the wrong type of end (tie rod style versus a bushing). I used JKS’s DIY track bar. jksmfg.com/products/diy-adjustable-trackbar-kit
@Harry Situations think the SDI E-Clik Active Suspension would work the the Jeep Gladiator Mojave Fox shocks, and would it be able to soften up the shocks for highway?
Unfortunately not since the Mojave shocks have piggyback reservoirs without a hose that would allow them to be replaced. The Mojave shocks are very good though, Accutune could revalve them for you to meet your needs. I had them do some shocks for my Ram recently and I was really pleased with the results and how quickly they were able to revalve the shocks.
We do have the application specific for the JT! But Harry is 100% correct, piggyback shocks would prevent us from being able to adapt the Mojave's Fox shocks.
3:30 sorry but that is just wrong! > as you cannot simply lengthen both arms the same amount and fit then under your car. IF you change just one arm caster behavior will change drastically. a shorter upper will give positive caster, which is probably what you want. But the angle for the driveline will change as well. Anti squat value will change if you do change ANYTHING here. like: 7:34 the brake dive WILL increase with "longer arms" (simply spoken). All the above will also have impact on traction and the ability to climb OVER a rock and ON a rock. The latter 2 will cancel each other. So you will increase one and lower the other behavior.
Great question! I find for most off-road modifications the relationship between cost and benefit isn’t linear. You could probably spend half as much and have a ride that is 80% as good. I’d start with shocks, then springs, then track bars, then control arms, then air bumps in that order.
@@HarrySituations I don't have any issues with my lifted tj. So I think I will pass on all that fancy stuff. Keep it simple less to go wrong on road and on the trails.
@@HarrySituations yeah no short wheel base solid axle is going to be comfortable on trails especially at anything over 10 mph. You want comfort 4th gen 4Runner stock xreas suspension 34-in tires 16 to 20 psi. 40 to 50 mph over a washboard roads and rough trails feels like a Cadillac on a Sunday drive.
@@andreinvictoria my LJ has the same wheelbase as a 4Runner and I assure you it has no problem going over 10 mph in the rough. Again, I’ve had both and have upgraded both.
All right fair enough. But I would point your attention to the fact that there are no solid axle prerunners. The same way there are no independent suspension Rock bouncers. Each has their strengths. If you want to piss into the wind and tell me you don't get wet more power to ya. 👍
@@andreinvictoria *Giggles in that entire King of the Hammers class that runs solid axles and does high speed desert running* Obviously in general ifs is better for going fast, just like in general solid axles are better for the rocks, but pretending like making those two systems do similar things doesn't cost an equally obscene amount of money is absurd. With $10,000 of suspension work I can make a Tacoma jump or a Jeep lol. The principles for making it happen are very different, and it's nowhere near as simple as "my 4Runner will always ride better than a Jeep" lol. On another note, I know plenty of short wheelbase solid axle vehicles that ride great at slow to medium speeds using suspension technology such as ORI struts, or higher end shocks with proper valving. It's not a question of if they can do it, it's a question is if you want a short wheelbase vehicle in general going fast through actual hard stuff. I definitely don't, ifs or solid axles, I'm not racing a 95 inch wheelbase at 60 through whoops thanks.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the new Bronco and they are definitely nice. This Jeep is paid for though and I’m not really looking for a car payment.
@@HarrySituations I don't blame you a bit. I've always liked wranglers and 20 years ago, I sold Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, but for whatever reason I never bought a wrangler. We looked at both and just liked the Bronco better.
@@monnet74 should've bought a TJ or TJ unlimited .... Arguably and objectively the best American off vehicle off all time and the Goat of all jeeps... Up there right next to a Mercedes unimog and Toyota land cruiser 70 series........ Modern jeeps are unreliable trash........... Good luck getting a clean rubi or TJ unlimited..... Premium is over 45k at bringatrailer....... Saharas are 30k....
Wait a second. A Rubicon LJ?? With highline fenders?!?!
I have never been so jealous...
Not enough pictures of the track bar setup
I have pieced together my 4" long arm lift on my TJ. And it rides great. And it's even Rough Country on a lot of stuff. Getting ready to swap joints out for Johnny Joints. But even with worn joints, this is the best it's ever been. It's all about the angles of everything!
Wish AEV continued the highline fenders. I want a set.
Can easily make them
@@jackbower8671 is there a company that is making the model?
Make your own. Chris durnham motorsports have a highline fiberglass hood.
@@rcmike09 Save your money and chop down your hood
We have an ‘04 Rubicon with a 6” Nth Degree long arm kit on ORO AirRock kit. We also just picked up a 2006 LJ Rubicon and I would sell my left kidney to get my hands on a Nth Degree lift kit for it. Such a good kit.
Great video, Harry. One thing I'll throw in here is that I am always an advocate for stiff shocks when rockcrawling. Going way back to when Rancho 9000's first came out and were the bee's knees, I've always used adjustable shocks. Currently I have Icons on my JTRD (in part because nobody at SDI would get back to my inquiries regarding their eClik shocks. Oh well.) On the street, I usually like to keep the shocks around the middle of their firmness range, unless I am hauling a load in which case I firm them up accordingly. When I tow a heavy trailer, the rears are set all the way stiff to help control all that additional sprung weight and minimize sway. If I'm bombing across desert 2-tracks at maximum speed, I'll also set the shocks all the way stiff to help prevent bottoming out, but I understand that like your LJ, I'm not driving a trophy truck, so I usually like to back off on the throttle and enjoy a more relaxed drive, so I'll set the shocks near the soft end of the scale and let the suspension eat. If I'm putting a lot of miles on "nuisance rocks" like what you find on the Deer Valley trail, I'll set them all the way soft and just mush my way over the rocks like a marshmallow. But if I'm doing some actual rockcrawling like on the Rubicon, I set the shocks all the way firm, which is the opposite of what most people recommend. I've tried all different settings, and the reason I like them firm is because they take all the bounce, all the head-toss, all the excessive movement out of the sprung weight. I'm not moving fast enough while rockcrawling to feel any ride quality difference with the shocks so stiff, but boy does the vehicle stay planted to the terrain. This is particularly beneficial when off-camber or doing large drop-offs where I'm approaching the tipping point with the center of gravity. Soft shocks allow a lot of wallowing that could result in the vehicle dumping itself onto its side, but with stiff shocks all excess motion is controlled and the vehicle just sticks to the terrain like velcro. Since you have such quick and easy on-the-fly adjustment from in the cab, give it a try and see if you agree with my findings about stiff versus soft shocks in the rocks.
That makes sense to me. In general I like soft springs and a lot of shock damping.
Would love to get more information on how you do the track bar and drag link and parts used thanks
Summary: Harry has a built LJ with components that are no available;( on a Jeep that’s worth more than a JL!
Easily
100% you do. Great content. As a suspension guru as well you nailed every point. Great job and now I’m buying that active ride set up for my off road customers.
Hey Harry, great video! Do you have any more info on your track bar bracket would love to see an up close or short video on this?
Quality info, Harry.
I'm making choices with my TJ build according to some of your findings with your LJ.
Your presentation on the eClik shock is warranting more consideration by me.
Thanks for sharing!
ajheevh
I used to be heavy into off roading, spent over $100k . And can tell you DO NOT get into off roading .it will only make you poor. Get a decent pickup truck or suv and get a dirt bike, dual sport bike, or rokon 2x2 awd bike. You will save yourself many thousands of dollars and save from grief, break downs, towing costs, repair costs
Great vid with accurate info regarding geometry and shock valving.. I'm sure that's a NICE TJ!
Great information! You and Ali have the best videos!
Thank you so much!
Great video !!! I have a 2012 Call of Duty MW3 Wrangler Rubicon unlimited. Currently running:
Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear
Nitro Ridge Grappler “33” 285 70R 17. The best tire.
What would be a good spring to upgrade over the Rubicon? Jeep is a daily. The goal is reliability and durability. I intend to pass the Jeep down to my son one day 🙏🏻🙌🏻 Thank you again,
Super awesome video, I love the information. I installed coilovers on all 4 corners on my jku and air bumps on the front axle. I haven't installed the rear air bumps or tuned the shocks yet, but it is really awesome so far.
Omg. Your LJ is my dream jeep. Always loved it. Great Video
I own a 01 tj.i was thinking about fitting jk arms into my tj.im only wsnting a 3 inch lift.i currently run a terflex very old lift kit its msybe 2.5 inch
Makes me wonder if I should replace my 5" Teraflex coil springs for the duel rate Sjyjacker.
I was previously running Teraflex coils and I feel that the Skyjacker coils ride better.
Nice Jeep!
I am building a 2004 LJ and have "analysis paralysis" and was wondering if you could give me a little guidance?
I want the best ride and handling possible.
I want to clear 35" tires.
I only 4wheel on dirt trails and no rock crawling.
So the decision I am struggling with is a long arm kit worth the investment if I am not looking for the most flex possible
or will I notice a huge difference in the ride quality of the long arm kit over a short arm kit? Thanks
Hi can you post a lynk for the 2.5 springs. Also will it work without having a short arm kit
Tire pressure is the BIG one people get wrong.
Agreed my tj on 35s if I run 35 psi on the street it drives fairly good.if I drop the tyre pressure to 20 psi it's scary driving on the street
Great content and well edited and delivered. You must be a professional. 😉
I love this look 😍
Good information.
Awesome video, when you drilled out the front lower control arm mounts for the geo correction did you do anything with the uppers?
I did not. There really isn’t enough material there to lower them so they are still in the factory locations.
@@HarrySituations I guess when you only lower the front bottoms an inch it doesn't counter react. I've geo corrected my rear short arms 3" and it's great, I'm thinking about doing the front lowers an inch now. Thanks
How to make your Jeep handle great.
Step 1. Start with the unicorn of Jeeps.
Step 2. Find unicorn Jeep that has amazing discontinued aftermarket parts already installed.
Step 3. Spend $10k in additional suspension parts.
Step 4. Make TH-cam video.
😂😂😂
Harry, what are you using for ball joints?
They look like a hybrid ball joint with an adjustable king pin cap.
They are from Skyjacker. Super burly!
Can you redrill the LCA mounts lower without changing the mounts on the uppers? Does this not interfere with Anti-squat etc? I'm really looking to improve the ride on my TJ with 3.5" RE lift and Bilsteins. Have adjustable arms all round so I can dial the pinion angle back if necessary.
The uppers don’t have much extra space to relocate them so I did not go through the effort. It does change the anti-squat but I find more separation to improve it, not degrade it.
@@HarrySituations thanks for the info! Definitely going to try this although I think my ride issues are more Bilstein 5100 related 😂🤦♂️
@@TractorStu they are good shocks but the ability to custom valve shocks is really nice (although expensive...)
What would the cost of all these upgrades run? 10k+?
Yeah probably altogether. I’ve made them incrementally over the years, but probably $2k for shocks, another $2500 for the E-Click reservoirs, $2k for control arms, $1500 for the ACOS air bumps. It adds up quickly!
Did you use custom tracbars front and rear when you moved the racket outside the frame and used a bushing instead of the ball joint mount or does the JKS bar have the length to extend out further? I already have the JKS adj. front and rear.
It did not fit afterwards. In addition to being too short it also have the wrong type of end (tie rod style versus a bushing). I used JKS’s DIY track bar.
jksmfg.com/products/diy-adjustable-trackbar-kit
@@HarrySituations ah a DIY ok I missed that part in the vid. TY for responding!
Why can’t jeeps come this way?
What do you run your tire pressure at for freeway driving? I’m assuming you have 35” tires.
They are 37” Nitto Trail Grapplers. I run them at 30 psi on the street, 15 psi in the dirt, and 10 psi in the rocks.
Was the sdi eclick a sponsor ?
Yeah this is a new kit. I drove down to their place and they provided the parts for the installation.
Harry, what seats do you have in your LJ?
I just have the stock seats. I would love Mastercrafts or PRPs but can’t justify them since the stock seats are still in great shape.
@Harry Situations think the SDI E-Clik Active Suspension would work the the Jeep Gladiator Mojave Fox shocks, and would it be able to soften up the shocks for highway?
Unfortunately not since the Mojave shocks have piggyback reservoirs without a hose that would allow them to be replaced. The Mojave shocks are very good though, Accutune could revalve them for you to meet your needs. I had them do some shocks for my Ram recently and I was really pleased with the results and how quickly they were able to revalve the shocks.
We do have the application specific for the JT! But Harry is 100% correct, piggyback shocks would prevent us from being able to adapt the Mojave's Fox shocks.
What transmission t case and engine skids
They are from Teraflex.
What fender flares are these?
They are from American Expedition Vehicles.
3:30 sorry but that is just wrong!
> as you cannot simply lengthen both arms the same amount and fit then under your car. IF you change just one arm caster behavior will change drastically. a shorter upper will give positive caster, which is probably what you want. But the angle for the driveline will change as well.
Anti squat value will change if you do change ANYTHING here. like:
7:34 the brake dive WILL increase with "longer arms" (simply spoken).
All the above will also have impact on traction and the ability to climb OVER a rock and ON a rock. The latter 2 will cancel each other. So you will increase one and lower the other behavior.
What do all those modifications cost vs the benefits?
Great question! I find for most off-road modifications the relationship between cost and benefit isn’t linear. You could probably spend half as much and have a ride that is 80% as good. I’d start with shocks, then springs, then track bars, then control arms, then air bumps in that order.
@@HarrySituations I don't have any issues with my lifted tj. So I think I will pass on all that fancy stuff. Keep it simple less to go wrong on road and on the trails.
@@themechanic4409 sounds like you have got it all figured out. 👍
Good vid eh! 👌🏻
You instead made my Jeep stop working and it is beyond repair.
Great Video, but it has just been banded from the all Jeep Wrangler TJ Forums by Currie and Blaine Johnson fanboies.
Make your Wrangler ride great. Buy a 4Runner. 😁
I had a 4Runner and I did many of the same modifications (big shocks, air bumps, control arms) to make it ride great.
@@HarrySituations yeah no short wheel base solid axle is going to be comfortable on trails especially at anything over 10 mph.
You want comfort 4th gen 4Runner stock xreas suspension 34-in tires 16 to 20 psi. 40 to 50 mph over a washboard roads and rough trails feels like a Cadillac on a Sunday drive.
@@andreinvictoria my LJ has the same wheelbase as a 4Runner and I assure you it has no problem going over 10 mph in the rough. Again, I’ve had both and have upgraded both.
All right fair enough. But I would point your attention to the fact that there are no solid axle prerunners. The same way there are no independent suspension Rock bouncers. Each has their strengths. If you want to piss into the wind and tell me you don't get wet more power to ya. 👍
@@andreinvictoria *Giggles in that entire King of the Hammers class that runs solid axles and does high speed desert running*
Obviously in general ifs is better for going fast, just like in general solid axles are better for the rocks, but pretending like making those two systems do similar things doesn't cost an equally obscene amount of money is absurd. With $10,000 of suspension work I can make a Tacoma jump or a Jeep lol. The principles for making it happen are very different, and it's nowhere near as simple as "my 4Runner will always ride better than a Jeep" lol.
On another note, I know plenty of short wheelbase solid axle vehicles that ride great at slow to medium speeds using suspension technology such as ORI struts, or higher end shocks with proper valving. It's not a question of if they can do it, it's a question is if you want a short wheelbase vehicle in general going fast through actual hard stuff. I definitely don't, ifs or solid axles, I'm not racing a 95 inch wheelbase at 60 through whoops thanks.
Not sure anything can make a tj lj ride great. And too much focus on the sdi trinkets that are not needed. Otherwise good job.
You didn’t find that SDI shocks made your Jeep ride better when you used them?
To much for my tj
This is clearly some shit too advanced for me, lol.
Buy a Bronco.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the new Bronco and they are definitely nice. This Jeep is paid for though and I’m not really looking for a car payment.
@@HarrySituations I don't blame you a bit. I've always liked wranglers and 20 years ago, I sold Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, but for whatever reason I never bought a wrangler. We looked at both and just liked the Bronco better.
@@monnet74 I don’t blame you, the Bronco is pretty nice! It wouldn’t hurt my feelings to have that power train in my Jeep.
@@monnet74 should've bought a TJ or TJ unlimited .... Arguably and objectively the best American off vehicle off all time and the Goat of all jeeps... Up there right next to a Mercedes unimog and Toyota land cruiser 70 series........ Modern jeeps are unreliable trash........... Good luck getting a clean rubi or TJ unlimited..... Premium is over 45k at bringatrailer....... Saharas are 30k....
@@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo you make me feel good about my 2002 TJ deport I'm in the process of building.