If you are here reading this article, chances are that you own a Wrangler. Now imagine that you are taking your Wrangler out for a nice lovely drive.
But the road you are driving on is far from ideal and is filled with obstacles of many kinds that are hindering the performance of your vehicle.
This is a very common problem faced by almost everybody, and it is owed to issues in the suspension of your vehicle.
The best solution to this problem is to use a long arm kit. In this article, we will help you find the best long arm kit to help you solve this common issue.
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Best TJ Long Arm Kits Review 2023
Now that we have some idea about what a long arm kit is and what its functions are, it is time that we inform you about 5 of the best long arm kits for TJ out there.
Rough Country Adjustable Long Arm Kit
This product is an excellent choice for those who are looking for both on-road and off-road performance.
It sufficiently increases the ground clearance so that your vehicle can tackle any obstacles in its way to give you the best on-road and off-road performance possible.
The lower control arms are specifically designed to offer more ground clearance than the average long arm kit.
And the longer travel arms also ensure a much better alignment of the kit with the vehicle. The arms come in rubber coverings.
And this rubber covering is of the Clevite brand, which makes the arm much more sturdy and smooth.
This product weighs a fair amount at 150 pounds, but that is a standard weight for any functional long arm kit.
However, it should be noted that this kit isn’t the best for beginners, as it is quite difficult to install.
The design is very complicated, and so someone new to this should avoid this kit. This long arm kit may also be prone to damage, and the parts may fall apart. Thus it is not the most durable long arm kit out there.
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Related Guide: Best Rough Country Lift Kit
Skyjacker 4″ Lift Parallel Kit
This first thing worth noting about this product is the price. It is easily the most budget-friendly long arm kit, and it also offers a solid performance at the same time.
The 125-pound weight is definitely a huge advantage as it makes the kit very easily portable.
And the design is also very simple, which makes the installation process easier and more comfortable.
Everything you need in a long arm kit is all present and combined with the sweet price, it is a fantastic deal.
And the biggest drawback of this product would have to be the fact that this kit is average in almost every department. From the design to the performance, this product does not really stand out that much.
The on-road performance is barely serviceable, and the off-road performance is just plain bad.
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Related Guide: Air Fuel Ratio Gauge Review
Clayton Off-road TJ Long Arm Upgrade Kit
The first thing to mention about this product is its price. It is quite a bit more expensive compared to your standard long arm kit. So it is best to avoid this if you have budgeting issues.
However, it does make up for its price by giving you great performance. With 8 adjustable control arms with an axle truss of 4 links located in the rear, it offers great ground clearance.
Instead of traditional bolts, this product uses Johnny’s joints. Because of this, it offers a higher suspension angle at 40 degrees and makes the movement of the vehicle much more free and liberating.
It also has a standard weight, which helps in its portability and also makes it easy and comfortable to use.
And it is also quite easy to install, which is rare for a long arm kit of this caliber.
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Rough Country 6″ Lift Kit
The first thing to mention about this lift kit is its huge control arms. And the upper and lower adjustable control arms are larger than it is in your average kit at 6 inches.
It also comes with track bars on the front and the back. Both bars are upgraded and fully adjustable.
These track bars allow you to play rough with your vehicle and push it to its absolute limit without worry.
This kit makes sure that your Jeep performs wonderfully both on and off the road.
And this product is also built to sustain damage and lasts a long period of time with its sturdy construction and rubber coverings.
But it is pretty evident that this long arm kit is designed and targeted towards professionals.
The design and functionality may come across as complicated for beginners. And the installation process is also quite complicated, and unless you know your way around these kits, it will be hard for you to set it up.
To add to the troubles of installation, it also weighs around 290 pounds, which makes it very heavy, reduces its portability, and makes it uncomfortable and uneasy to install.
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Clayton Off Road COR-3208250
This is the most expensive entry on the list by a huge margin. So if you want a more cost-friendly option, you might want to avoid this.
However, when it comes to performance, built, design, and functionality, it definitely makes up for its price.
And this kit contains 8 fully adjustable control arms, of which 4 are in the front, and the other 4 are in the rear. Each of them is 4 inches long, which provides sufficient ground clearance.
Contrary to most expensive long arm kits, this one greatly caters towards beginners as it is very easy to install.
It completely utilizes the classic bolt system, and that is why you can install this in your vehicle using general everyday tools without the help of a professional.
Like the previous entry from Clayton, this one also utilizes Johnny joints, which are sort of a signature of Clayton products.
Like the previous Clayton product on the list, the use of Johnny’s joints makes sure that the movement of your vehicle is not restricted in any way and extends the suspension angle up to 40 degrees.
Another key feature of this product is the cross member. This cross member is of 3 pieces, and like all other parts of this kit, it can be easily bolted in.
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What to Look for before Buying
So far, we have talked about what a TJ long arm kit is and 5 of the best long arm kits for Jeep TJ.
Now we will talk about how you can identify the perfect long arm kit for you. Based on the following considerations, you can select the kit that fulfills your needs.
Off-Road Performance
Most long arm kits are good enough at an on-road performance. But not all kits are good for off-road driving.
So before buying a long arm kit, you need to take the amount of off-road driving you might need to take into consideration.
Length of Control Arms
A long arm kit must have sufficiently long control arms. The minimum length of the control arms should be at least 4 inches. However, 6 inches long control arms are generally ideal.
Durability
Any product should be designed to be able to endure damage and stand the test of time. Usually, kits that come with rubber coverings can endure more damage.
Design and Installation
For this, you have to assess your experience with these vehicles and kits. If all of these things are completely new to you, you should consider buying a long arm kit with a more simplistic design that is easier to install.
However, if you know your way around these parts, then you can buy an armed kit with a more complicated design in order to take advantage of its additional features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best TJ long arm kits:
What is the best brand of long arm kits?
If we had to choose, we would go with Rough Country for their high-performance kits, which come at a great price.
Long arm kit vs. short arm kit, which one is better?
A short arm kit definitely has its advantages. It costs much less, and it’s easier to install and use.
But a long arm kit is exponentially better when it comes to the on-road performance of your vehicle.
Also, off-road driving is impossible without a long arm kit because a short arm kit doesn’t have sufficient ground clearance.
How many control arms should a long arm kit have?
Generally, 6 to 8 control arms with equal distribution in the front and rear are ideal for a long arm kit.
What is the most important feature in a long arm kit?
The most important feature in a long arm kit is its ground clearance. Depending on it, the vehicle can avoid obstacles in its path.
Can one long arm kit work in all types of Wrangler vehicles?
Some long arm kits are applicable for all sorts of Jeeps. But there are a few which are made specifically for one type of vehicle.
The 5 kits reviewed in this article are applicable to all types of Wrangler vehicles.
Final Words
Now you know all there is to know about long arm kits. We hope we were helpful in your quest to find the best TJ long arm kit.
No matter which kit you end up buying, always make sure that it can provide sufficient ground clearance for your vehicle. We wish you the best of luck in your quest.