Stock LCAs to Mopar Extended LCAs - Caster Change

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't think the Mojave shocks and Rubicon shocks are similar at all. I used to have an RC truck that I could drop on it's tires from about 6 feet, and it would just squat a little and pop right back up. The Mojave shocks feel like that to me. They are very progressive and take less force to compress when fully extended, but get much firmer as they compress.
I just wish they were a little longer. I will eventually replace them with longer shocks, but the ride will probably go to shit. I just hate running shock extensions. I love the way mine rides right now, even with tires and wheels that weigh 125 pounds at each corner.

That's a lot of unsprung weight - obviously, it's handling that ok, though.

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[jmr]

Some lca installation notes:
Several years ago I installed the Mopar lca on my 2022 JL Willys 2door with tires on the ground replacing the passenger side first then driver side and both sides bolted in perfectly no line up issues. Several months ago on my 2024 JLUR the Mopar lca got installed replacing the drivers side first without issue but the passenger side did not line up and was a pain doing it by myself.

Today I install the Mopar lca on my 2025 Mojave doing passenger side first then the driver side with both side installing perfectly without any issue lining up the bolts. I checked before and after gaining 1 degree of caster.

Maybe it was a coincidence but the 2 times I turned the wheel full lock right replacing the drivers side then turn wheel full lock left replacing the passenger lined up perfectly installing these 1/4" longer lca.

 

[Stan H]

I don't think the Mojave shocks and Rubicon shocks are similar at all. I used to have an RC truck that I could drop on it's tires from about 6 feet, and it would just squat a little and pop right back up. The Mojave shocks feel like that to me. They are very progressive and take less force to compress when fully extended, but get much firmer as they compress.
I just wish they were a little longer. I will eventually replace them with longer shocks, but the ride will probably go to shit. I just hate running shock extensions. I love the way mine rides right now, even with tires and wheels that weigh 125 pounds at each corner.

See thats what I mean, no offense but everyone talks those things up so much. Yet they are worthless beyond stick height. Still aint convinced that they are the next coming of automotive brillance.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Some lca installation notes:
Several years ago I installed the Mopar lca on my 2022 JL Willys 2door with tires on the ground replacing the passenger side first then driver side and both sides bolted in perfectly no line up issues. Several months ago on my 2024 JLUR the Mopar lca got installed replacing the drivers side first without issue but the passenger side did not line up and was a pain doing it by myself.

Today I install the Mopar lca on my 2025 Mojave doing passenger side first then the driver side with both side installing perfectly without any issue lining up the bolts. I checked before and after gaining 1 degree of caster.

Maybe it was a coincidence but the 2 times I turned the wheel full lock right replacing the drivers side then turn wheel full lock left replacing the passenger lined up perfectly installing these 1/4" longer lca.

I used jacks and ratchet straps - got things lined up easily so the bolts slid right in.

 

[Splenda]

See thats what I mean, no offense but everyone talks those things up so much. Yet they are worthless beyond stick height. Still aint convinced that they are the next coming of automotive brillance.

I doubt anyone is convinced they are the next coming off automotive brilliance, but they are better than a lot of aftermarket shocks. Definitely ride better than any Rubicon I've ridden in.

 

[D_JT]

I just got in 2 Mopar Lift LCA part # 68322798AA they are 1/4" longer. The LCA are heavier each weighing 8.5 pounds where my stock 2024 JL Rubicon LCA weighed 7 pounds (according to my fish scale lol).

I thought you were crazy and I didn’t believe you. As soon as I got home I weighed a new MOPAR 2” control arm and a OEM Rubicon control arm. I was surprised with the results lol.

 

[jmr]

I thought you were crazy and I didn’t believe you. As soon as I got home I weighed a new MOPAR 2” control arm and a OEM Rubicon control arm. I was surprised with the results lol.

Your level of accuracy greatly surpasses my fish scale. lol
For $39 each they are heavier and added 1 degree caster a win in my book.

 

[jmr]

I used jacks and ratchet straps - got things lined up easily so the bolts slid right in.

For the JLUR that passenger side needed to close a small gap to the front bolt hole. I didn't have any decent rachet straps. I put it in drive applied the brake and gently tapped the gas.....it worked like a charm.

In contrast the Mojave was easy to bolt together just like my old JL Willis. The Mojave drives great too.

 

[Gizmo]

If you put a little bottle jack under the pinion side of the front diff under the little flat spot BEFORE you do any thing . You can simply raise or lower the jack slightly which will in turn adjust the holes so the bolt will slide in . Can't get much easier . Pressure from the spring will naturally rotate the pinion down if you release the pressure on the jack while you watch the hole line up. if ya go to far simple jack it up a hair..

 

[wcberry]

If you put a little bottle jack under the pinion side of the front diff under the little flat spot BEFORE you do any thing . You can simply raise or lower the jack slightly which will in turn adjust the holes so the bolt will slide in . Can't get much easier . Pressure from the spring will naturally rotate the pinion down if you release the pressure on the jack while you watch the hole line up. if ya go to far simple jack it up a hair..

Yep, couldn't get much easier doing this to get the hole to line up. I used my floor jack, but same principle.

 

[D_JT]

Well, the mopar 2” lift lower control arms did exactly what I was hoping for. I installed a set of 1.5” Clayton diesel springs two weeks ago. I have since experienced a slight vibration/shimmy between 65 and 75. Sometimes 80. The MOPAR lower control arms fixed all of that. Well worth the $87. 10/10 do recommend.

 

[cb4017]

Thought I would bump this again with my 2 cents. I put the Mopar lift LCAs on my otherwise stock Mojave and I've driven it enough to get a feel for it.

I like it! Driving is much more relaxed. The twitchiness in gone. If you're on the fence for this I can recommend.

Out of curiosity I weighed the control arms. As mentioned earlier, the lift LCAs are indeed heavier that the stock LCAs. 8 lb 4.5 oz verses 6 lb 11 oz.

 

[Splenda]

Thought I would bump this again with my 2 cents. I put the Mopar lift LCAs on my otherwise stock Mojave and I've driven it enough to get a feel for it.

I like it! Driving is much more relaxed. The twitchiness in gone. If you're on the fence for this I can recommend.

Out of curiosity I weighed the control arms. As mentioned earlier, the lift LCAs are indeed heavier that the stock LCAs. 8 lb 4.5 oz verses 6 lb 11 oz.

I'm surprised the stock LCAs weigh 7 pounds. They are light as a feather compared to the aftermarket LCAs I installed. I wonder why the lift LCAs weigh a pound more. Aren't they only an inch longer? Same rubber bushings?

 

[cb4017]

I'm surprised the stock LCAs weigh 7 pounds. They are light as a feather compared to the aftermarket LCAs I installed. I wonder why the lift LCAs weigh a pound more. Aren't they only an inch longer? Same rubber bushings?

Actually they are only around 1/4" longer. Not sure where the extra weight is coming from, unless they use thicker wall tubing.

 

[Splenda]

Actually they are only around 1/4" longer. Not sure where the extra weight is coming from, unless they use thicker wall tubing.

I guess they could be slightly thicker. The Core 4x4 LCAs weigh about 15 pounds each. They would make pretty good weapons.

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