Does your Jeep Wrangler TJ feel a little wobbly when you hit a rough trail? Maybe you notice your ride gets bouncy over bumps. Many Jeep owners feel this way when pushing their vehicles to the limit. Upgrading your suspension is key to better control and a smoother ride.
Choosing the right long arm upgrade kit can feel overwhelming. You see so many brands and features! People worry about installation difficulty, cost, and whether the kit will truly improve their off-road performance. Getting the wrong kit means wasted time and money, and you still won’t have the ride you want.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a great TJ long arm kit. You will learn what to look for to match your driving style, whether you crawl rocks or cruise highways. By the end, you will feel confident picking the perfect upgrade.
Let’s dive in and transform your Jeep’s handling!
Top Tj Long Arm Upgrade Kit Recommendations
- Extreme travel long arms keep optimum alignment and give optimum articulation.
- Adjustable Lower control arms feature high clearance design and Clevite brand OEM style rubber bushings
- Flex joints feature a massive 2.5" diameter body and 1.25" thread. Fully greasable.
- Heavy Duty 0.25" thick crossmember. Upper joints pivot up to 20 degrees. Lower joints pivot up to 35 degrees.
- Backed by Rough Country's Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty.
- Looking to upgrade your front suspension to long arms? This kit has all of the parts that the do it yourself fabricator needs to add front long arms to their vehicle.
- Kit Includes: 2 Right Hand Thread 1-1/4" Heat Treated Chromoly Heim Joints 4 1-9/16 High Misalignment Spacers 2 Right Hand 1-1/4" Jam Nuts 2 Right Hand Thread 1-1/4" Heavy Wall Tube Inserts 2 Right Hand Thread 7/8-3/4" Heat Treated Chromoly Heim Joints 2 Right Hand Thread 7/8" Jam Nuts 2 Right Hand Thread 7/8" Tube Inserts 4 High Misalignment Spacers 3/4"-5/8" 2 DOM Sleeve And Poly Bushings 2 Radius Arm Brackets 2 Upper Control Arm Brackets 2 Frame Link Mount Brackets 4 9/16" Bolts With Nylock N
- Extreme travel long arms keep optimum alignment and give optimum articulation.
- Adjustable Lower control arms feature high clearance design and Clevite brand OEM style rubber bushings.
- Flex joints feature a massive 2.5" diameter body and 1.25" thread. Fully greasable.
- Heavy Duty 0.25" thick crossmember. Upper joints pivot up to 20 degrees. Lower joints pivot up to 35 degrees.
- Backed by Rough Country's Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty.
- Radius Arm Front
- Triangulated 4 Link Rear W/ Truss
- 8 Adjustable Control Arms
- 1/4 Weld On Frame Brackets. Lifetime Warranty*
- MADE IN THE USA!..
- 4 Link Rear W/Truss
- 1/4" Thick Lower Control Arms
- Upper Arms Double Adjustable
- Lifetime Warranty*. MADE IN THE USA!
- Fitment: for Jeep Wrangler 1997 - 2006, Jeep TJ 1997 - 2006
- Package Contents: 2x Front Lower Control Arms - K640734, 2x Front Upper Control Arms - K620244
- Durable Material: Control arm kits are crafted from high-strength carbon steel with a high-quality powder-coated finish, effectively resisting rust and corrosion to ensure an extended lifespan
- Easy Installation: Direct replacement, requiring no modifications. Uninstall your old control arm and install this one to rejuvenate your vehicle's handling and steering responsiveness promptly
- 24/7 Customer Support: maXpeedingrods offers lifetime technical support and 1-year limited warranty for quality-related issues since the date of purchase. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions
- Radius Arm Front
- Forged Johnny Joints
- 1/4" Weld On Frame Brackets
- Lifetime Warranty*. MADE IN THE USA!
- 1/4 Weld On Frame Brackets
- 4 Link Rear W/Truss
- Double Adjustable Arms
- Lifetime Warranty*. MADE IN THE USA!
Choosing Your TJ Long Arm Upgrade Kit: A Buyer’s Guide
Ready to give your Jeep Wrangler TJ better handling and more off-road capability? A long arm upgrade kit is a big step! This guide helps you pick the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a TJ long arm kit, look closely at these parts. They make the biggest difference in how your Jeep drives.
- **Arm Length and Geometry:** Longer control arms smooth out the ride. They change the angle of your axle less when you go over bumps. Look for kits that clearly state the length. Good geometry means less binding and better wheel travel.
- **Adjustability:** Can you easily change the length of the arms? Adjustable arms let you fine-tune your pinion angle after installing a lift. This stops vibrations.
- **Mounting Style:** Most kits replace the lower control arms. Some advanced kits also replace the upper arms. Check how the new mounts attach to the frame. Bolt-on kits are easier for beginners. Weld-on kits offer the strongest connection but require more skill.
- **Track Bar Correction:** A lift kit shifts your axle side-to-side. The track bar keeps it centered. Ensure the kit includes a new, adjustable track bar or a track bar relocation bracket.
Important Materials Matter
The strength of your suspension depends on what the parts are made from.
The main parts, the control arms, should be made from strong steel. Look for heavy-gauge, thick-walled tubing. This tubing resists bending when you hit rocks. Thicker tubing means better durability. Some high-end kits use Chromoly steel, which is very strong but costs more.
Bushings are also vital. These rubber or polyurethane pieces sit at the ends of the control arms. Polyurethane bushings last longer and offer a firmer feel. Rubber bushings often give a slightly smoother, quieter ride. Check the quality of the bushings—cheap bushings wear out fast.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one kit great and another one just okay?
Quality Boosters: High-quality welds are essential. Look for smooth, full penetration welds, not just quick spot welds. A good powder coat finish protects the steel from rust. Also, heavy-duty hardware (like Grade 8 bolts) ensures everything stays tight under stress.
Quality Reducers: Cheap kits sometimes use thin wall tubing. This tubing bends easily when you push your Jeep hard off-road. Using low-quality bushings or weak mounting brackets will lead to squeaks, clunks, and early failure. Avoid kits that look flimsy or use weak hardware.
User Experience and Use Cases
Who is this kit for? Your needs change what you should buy.
The Daily Driver: If your Jeep spends most of its time on the street, focus on ride quality. Kits with high-quality rubber or flexible polyurethane bushings offer the best on-road manners. Adjustability helps keep highway speeds vibration-free.
The Weekend Warrior/Rock Crawler: If you tackle tough trails, durability is king. You need the thickest steel tubing possible and heavy-duty mounting brackets. Weld-on solutions are often preferred here because they provide maximum strength when crawling over obstacles.
Installation Difficulty: Most long arm kits require significant work. If you are new to suspension installation, choose a bolt-on kit. Weld-on systems require welding skills and tools. Always check if the kit requires you to cut off old mounts—this adds time and complexity.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About TJ Long Arm Kits
Q: What is the main benefit of a long arm kit over short arms?
A: Long arms keep the axle angle flatter during suspension compression and extension. This gives you a much smoother ride and better control, especially with lifts over 3 inches.
Q: Will a long arm kit affect my ground clearance?
A: Yes, but usually only slightly. The mounting brackets that attach to the frame might hang down a little lower than the stock components. However, the improved articulation often makes up for this when crawling.
Q: Do I need new shocks when installing a long arm kit?
A: Almost always, yes. Long arm kits are designed to work with specific shock lengths to achieve the full travel potential. Stock shocks will likely limit your performance.
Q: Are long arm kits noisy?
A: A well-designed kit with good bushings should not be noisy. Squeaks usually come from dry or worn-out polyurethane bushings or loose mounting bolts.
Q: Can I install a long arm kit myself?
A: It depends on your skill. Bolt-on kits are manageable for intermediate DIY mechanics. Weld-on kits require professional welding skills for safety.
Q: What lift height works best with long arm kits?
A: Long arm kits are most beneficial on lifts of 3.5 inches and higher. They help correct geometry issues that become severe on taller lifts.
Q: How often do I need to grease the joints?
A: If your kit uses greaseable ball joints or spherical bearings, check your manual. Most require greasing every oil change or every few thousand miles.
Q: What is the difference between a 3-link and a 4-link long arm system?
A: A 4-link system uses two upper and two lower arms, offering excellent control. A 3-link replaces the stock upper arms with a single, long upper arm (or ‘radius arm’) plus the two lower arms. Both work well, but 4-links are often considered more stable.
Q: Does this kit fix death wobble?
A: A long arm kit helps correct the steering geometry that causes death wobble, especially when combined with a quality adjustable track bar. It is a key part of fixing that problem.
Q: Should I choose bolt-on or weld-on mounts?
A: For the strongest setup that handles serious rock crawling, weld-on is best. For easier installation and street use, bolt-on mounts are perfectly fine.