Stock Frame Side LCA Mount Positions

[jboswell11]

Hello All,

This fall I will be removing the RC long arm kit from my rig in order to prep for the new Savvy 4" kit. When the PO installed the RC long arm the frame side LCA brackets (both front and rear) were ground off so I will need to replace them.

I found a few companies making replacements. These http://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-TJ-Frame-Front-Lower-Control-Arm-Bracket_p_755.html and http://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-TJ-Rear-Frame-Lower-Control-Arm-Bracket_p_756.html look fine to me (3/16" stock replacement) unless anyone has some horror stories to share I will probably go with those.

So, a couple questions....

I need to get some measurements on exactly where the stock locations are for the frame side LCA brackets (both front and rear). I have a few buddies with TJs but they are older than mine (they have a '97&'98), can I pull tape on them for position or do I need to find an '03-'06 to measure for my '04?

Is there any reason to re-position them from the stock locations slightly to improve the suspension performance (within the boundaries of adjustment the Savvy kit provides)?

Thanks!

 

[bobthetj03]

Have you looked into the Savvy midarm kit? Figured since you have to put new CA brackets on, you could go that route.

 

[Chris]

Have you looked into the Savvy midarm kit? Figured since you have to put new CA brackets on, you could go that route.

I am going to agree with this. If you have the money, why not put the control arms in the best place possible and go with the Savvy mid-arm setup?

 

[jboswell11]

Have you looked into the Savvy midarm kit? Figured since you have to put new CA brackets on, you could go that route.

I have looked at that, honestly I don't fully understand all that is required if one was to start from scratch and install that kit. It also seems very involved with axle brackets cut off / welded on and so forth (I might be over my head with that install)... from the reviews I have read I am sure the mid arm kit is the cats meow but maybe more cost and trouble than I want / need at this time.

My goal with this build is to run moderate trails (levels 4-7). I feel like the 35s, lockers, and armor will allow me to do that with the regular Savvy lift but if I am missing out of something huge please change my mind

With the money I save doing the regular 4" Savvy kit instead of the mid arm I could replace my engine skid with the full under armor setup from Savvy and have a tummy tuck too

 

[jboswell11]

Bump

I need to get some measurements on exactly where the stock locations are for the frame side LCA brackets (both front and rear). I have a few buddies with TJs but they are older than mine (they have a '97&'98), can I pull tape on them for position or do I need to find an '03-'06 to measure for my '04?

Is there any reason to re-position them from the stock locations slightly to improve the suspension performance (within the boundaries of adjustment the Savvy kit provides)?

 

[bobthetj03]

Here is the frame specs for my 03 from my service manual. Don't know if this helps or not.

 

[Chris]

can I pull tape on them for position or do I need to find an '03-'06 to measure for my '04?

The frames are identical on all TJs in terms of the control arm mounting brackets, so you should be able to measure theirs just fine. I'd measure mine, but I'm not anywhere near my TJ for a while, as we are out of town

Is there any reason to re-position them from the stock locations slightly to improve the suspension performance (within the boundaries of adjustment the Savvy kit provides)?

Honestly, If I were you I would call up Savvy and ask them this. These guys have more experience doing this than anyone of us. Those guys answer the phone every time, and they are super easy to get ahold of and deal with.

In theory, you could move them back a little bit and get closer to a "mid-arm" setup. However, I'm not sure what (if any) issues may rise as a result of that. You couldn't move them back that much further anyways, because the control arms would only adjust so much.

I'd play it safe and weld them in the stock locations. But it doesn't hurt to call Savvy and ask. Of course if a mid-arm lift was this easy, I don't think Savvy would be able to sell a mid-arm kit, when people could just re-weld their brackets.

 

[jboswell11]

Here is the frame specs for my 03 from my service manual. Don't know if this helps or not.
View attachment 21705

Thanks! I didn't even think to look in the service manual I have... duh

Those measurements are going to be tough to take without the frame off I am afraid (the angled dimensions any way) lots of stuff in the way. I will see what I can do with these measurements and then will measure a couple TJs around here to verify. Thanks again!

 

[jboswell11]

The frames are identical on all TJs in terms of the control arm mounting brackets, so you should be able to measure theirs just fine. I'd measure mine, but I'm not anywhere near my TJ for a while, as we are out of town



Honestly, If I were you I would call up Savvy and ask them this. These guys have more experience doing this than anyone of us. Those guys answer the phone every time, and they are super easy to get ahold of and deal with.

In theory, you could move them back a little bit and get closer to a "mid-arm" setup. However, I'm not sure what (if any) issues may rise as a result of that. You couldn't move them back that much further anyways, because the control arms would only adjust so much.

I'd play it safe and weld them in the stock locations. But it doesn't hurt to call Savvy and ask. Of course if a mid-arm lift was this easy, I don't think Savvy would be able to sell a mid-arm kit, when people could just re-weld their brackets.

Awesome, good to know they are all the same, I will measure some around here and cross check with the file @bobthetj03 attached too.

I agree that much movement wouldn't be possible with the regular lift due to the limited adjustment and that the gains will be minimal. It sure wont hurt to discuss with Savvy though so I will give them a call and discuss my plans.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Chris]

Awesome, good to know they are all the same, I will measure some around here and cross check with the file @bobthetj03 attached too.

I agree that much movement wouldn't be possible with the regular lift due to the limited adjustment and that the gains will be minimal. It sure wont hurt to discuss with Savvy though so I will give them a call and discuss my plans.

Thanks for the help!

Let us know what Savvy says, I'm actually curious. I suspect they'll shoot down the idea, but you never know!