Are adjustable rear control arms with 2.5" lift necessary?

[The Kracka]

Piecing together a kit...

Essentially I'll be installing the Clayton ride right 2.5", adding the front lowers and all 4 bump stops to the kit.

My question is are adjustable rear control arms really necessary at this small of a lift?

Know it's not the same but I have lifted the Jeep up to where it would approximately sit once lifted to measure and visually inspect pinions angles, etc. and everything seems within spec.

Has anyone measured the factory control arms and compared them to the length of their adjustibles?

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[ChrisNLA]

Not necessary. Though as the arms / axle swing down the tires move closer to the front of the fender well. Adjustable arms would allow you to shift the axle backward, allowing you to keep the tires perfectly centered.

I had a 2.5" MC lift on my two door JK (came out closer to 3.5" in reality) with stock rear control arms. Even with the tiny rear driveshaft it was fine for the 30K+ miles I drove it like that, including several wheeling trips.

Depends on if having complete control over axle placement and a little additional flex is important enough to you for the added expense. For my use, it wasn't.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I've had a 2.5" Clayton Ride Right for about 30k miles now. I have stock rear arms and no issues. No driveline vibes and the rear tires are located in the wheel wells pretty close to center at ride height.

 

[Rusty PW]

You don't have to change the arms. What you can do for a peice of mind. Install the Rock Jock driveshaft spacer in the rear.

 

[Lunentucker]

No, but geometry correction brackets are highly advised.

 

[bleda2002]

No, the gladiator has long arms in the back already so the effect of lift is minimal. For a Clayton 2.5 the arms are almost perfectly centered still. They're also basically flat still and the axle trails so drop brackets don't really do anything in the rear either.

I do second getting the drive shaft spacer, it's cheap and gives you an excellent pinion angle.

 

[The Kracka]

Thank you all for your response.

Had considered shimming the carrier bearing if needed. If I understand correctly this is the shim you all are recommending.

https://www.amazon.com/RockJock-RJ-151402-101-Carrier-Bearing-Gladiator/dp/B08PDYFFVV

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

No, but geometry correction brackets are highly advised.

For the front- not the rear, correct?

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

Either/ or.
Important geometry corrections for the rear axle in a lift 2" and up are:

1. Track bar relocation bracket. This will take out the suspension sway caused by an unlevel rear track bar.

2. Either adjustable upper control arms, or a drive shaft carrier bearing spacer, or upper control arm relocation brackets. Any one of these will restore proper pinion gear to driveshaft angle.

 

[Rusty PW]

Thank you all for your response.

Had considered shimming the carrier bearing if needed. If I understand correctly this is the shim you all are recommending.

https://www.amazon.com/RockJock-RJ-151402-101-Carrier-Bearing-Gladiator/dp/B08PDYFFVV

Yep. That's it.

 

[Lunentucker]

For the front- not the rear, correct?

Mostly front, but the rear brackets got the rear "hop" out of mine.

 

[The Kracka]

I've had a 2.5" Clayton Ride Right for about 30k miles now. I have stock rear arms and no issues. No driveline vibes and the rear tires are located in the wheel wells pretty close to center at ride height.

That's great to hear! Your JT looks awesome! Perfect stance in my opinion.

Are you running 35's? That's next on my never ending list!


Since they have a free shipping sale I went ahead and ordered 2.5" ride right, added bump stops for the front so I can install those while I have it all apart. By the measurements in the install guide there's not much adjustment needed with the others. Figure I'll add the lowers and rears if I find myself needing more flex or adjustment.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

That's great to hear! Your JT looks awesome! Perfect stance in my opinion.

Are you running 35's? That's next on my never ending list!


Since they have a free shipping sale I went ahead and ordered 2.5" ride right, added bump stops for the front so I can install those while I have it all apart. By the measurements in the install guide there's not much adjustment needed with the others. Figure I'll add the lowers and rears if I find myself needing more flex or adjustment.

Thanks!

I am running 35s.

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