Jeep Wrangler PCM and module repair and replacement

Clayton Long Arm

Mike_H

Mike_H

autos are better - WRWD508
Original poster
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
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12,942
Location
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Hey All,

I'm kinda sorta thinking on a new ride I found...Its local, about 90,000 miles, and most importantly, NO RUST. Well...very little. Not enough that it can't be contained immediately. I looked it over pretty hard today at lunch. Its got the Clayton Long Arm lift. Not sure if its 4 or 5.5 inches, but they are pretty much the same.

Here is the jeep

97140


https://www.grautogallery.com/vehicles/7377/2005-jeep-wrangler
and the lift, near as I can tell

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/jeep_wrangler_40_long_arm_lift_kit_1997_2006_tj
They used good parts, Genright fenders, Poison Spider bumpers, Warn Winch, Yukon Gears, etc... I know that doesn't mean its well built. I did notice that the front track bar is not adjusted properly and the bumpstops are still factory. Is the Clayton kit any good? Its a weld on kit, so I think it "could" be good. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it.

Only interested because this think is pretty much what I'm building mine to be...aside from the Long arm. If I could work a deal, I think it would save me money and frustration in the long run.
 
Without getting sucked into the long arm rabbit hole that seems to consume many people, yes, Clayton Off Road makes a quality product.

I’ve been running Clayton products for a long time, as well as many of my friends, aquaintences, from recreational wheelers to hardcore wheelers and racers.

Keep in mind, it being a long arm suspension, your stock control arm mounts were cutoff. Making switching back to a short arm a lot of work.

If the work was recently done and springs are in decent shape, look for the number on them and check Clayton’s site to see which springs they are.
 
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I think everything that has been said about long arm lifts has already been said, and you already know.

That being said, it looks like they used some good parts. Clayton builds quality stuff from what I hear, but if you asked someone like Blaine, I'm sure he could pick it apart in a heartbeat since he's got way more knowledge on the subject.
 
The long arm thing for me revolves around bolt in kits. This is a weld in, so the geometry will at least have a puncher's chance to be correct. I really shouldn't buy it, but part of me really just wants something that's "done." I'm getting to a point where I just want to enjoy my stuff...I used to enjoy the project aspect, but now, not as much.

@Chris I was hoping Blaine would chime in eventually. I might pester him in a PM though, just to get my head right! ;)

Stevemack said:
Without getting sucked into the long arm rabbit hole that seems to consume many people, yes, Clayton Off Road makes a quality product.

I’ve been running Clayton products for a long time, as well as many of my friends, aquaintences, from recreational wheelers to hardcore wheelers and racers.

Keep in mind, it being a long arm suspension, your stock control arm mounts were cutoff. Making switching back to a short arm a lot of work.

If the work was recently done and springs are in decent shape, look for the number on them and check Clayton’s site to see which springs they are.
Click to expand...


I realize that the short arm brackets are gone. I'd run the long arm and not worry about the short arm. I don't have big rocks in Michigan to hang the arms on, so that part is a non-issue. I did see a number on one of the springs, so I could look that up. The kit looked to be in good shape, not a lot of wear or dirt on the parts.
 
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Mike_H said:
I really shouldn't buy it, but part of me really just wants something that's "done." I'm getting to a point where I just want to enjoy my stuff...I used to enjoy the project aspect, but now, not as much.
Click to expand...

Believe me, I can relate 100%. Hence the JK... I just wanted something that was done and I could finally enjoy.

Mike_H said:
@Chris I was hoping Blaine would chime in eventually. I might pester him in a PM though, just to get my head right! ;)
Click to expand...

I have a feeling I know what @mrblaine will say about the long arm, though I'm not sure what his opinion is about Clayton. Maybe he'll chime in though, we'll see.
 
Chris said:
I think everything that has been said about long arm lifts has already been said, and you already know.

That being said, it looks like they used some good parts. Clayton builds quality stuff from what I hear, but if you asked someone like Blaine, I'm sure he could pick it apart in a heartbeat since he's got way more knowledge on the subject.
Click to expand...
It isn't bad enough to cut off, it isn't good enough that I would ever copy it. (our part of the world doesn't tolerate long arms very well.)
 
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I think that's all we needed to know. Sounds like you have a good answer @Mike_H. Definitely not a Rough Country long arm ;)
 
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Mike_H said:
Yeah. Means I actually might have to talk with this dealership... Walk in with the title of my Jeep and 6k in cash.... See what they say!
Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea. I might take the Pintlers from your Jeep before you trade it in though ;)
 
I'd have to buy a different set of wheels to do that though... And used 33's are rare as hens teeth around here
 
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I’ve seen that pic many times. And I have always wondered what the pic looks like zoomed back a little bit honestly. I’d love too see what the other tires are doing or up against.

Because from what I see, there’s contact between the arm and rock, but to me and many I’ve shown it to, without another perspective, it doesn’t look like it’s enough to stop forward movement. If all 3 other tires have traction, looks like you should crawl right over that.

Have I scraped my arms over rocks? Of course. But my short arms did the too when I had them. But they’ve never been the reason I was denied on an obstacle.
 
Stevemack said:
I’d love too see what the other tires are doing or up against.

Because from what I see, there’s contact between the arm and rock, but to me and many I’ve shown it to, without another perspective, it doesn’t look like it’s enough to stop forward movement. If all 3 other tires have traction, looks like you should crawl right over that.
Click to expand...

The arm contact alone may not have stopped him anywhere else, but the compounding issues your describing are commonplace in JV. Hence Blaine's "this part of the world" comment. The pictures don't do it justice, you have to see it for yourself. No one is saying long arms can't work other places, only that they don't in JV.
 
Nice shots. I've seen pics of Sun Bonnet before. Maybe one day we'll be out there with our trucks.

It's a badass trail. JV is on the bucket list. Half my crew have been out there. The rest of us are pretty jelly...

In regards to pics, I was referring to wanting to see different perspective of Jerry's particular picture however. It's continually brought up during long arm discussions and it's my position that they're a little inconclusive as to showing what it's meant to be showing. Like I said in my other post, in order for me to even slightly concede a "ok, maybe you're right", I need to see what the tires are doing or where they're positioned(huge flat rock faces, or undercuts, etc).

Jerry, using the awesome pics provided by Mac in his album, can you pick out approximately where you were for your picture. I understand many years may have past and that trails change with time and weather conditions and it may not be the same.
 

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