New Clayton 2.5" Kit!

[j.o.y.ride]

I am not a mechanic, but I think you just described the control arms while track bars keep things centered.

Yeah I misread and was thinking control arms

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[j.o.y.ride]

Full side

 

[DeezJT]

@j.o.y.ride thanks for the side profile pic. It looks very good.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

re: did it stay centered... It's certainly possible to setup an adjustable system poorly and have it not be on center. By my eye I am like 1/8" off up front but it's hard to know if the wheels are perfectly straight without an alignment machine, it could be off due to the slight turn of a tire and not measure from dead center. The rear is easier to tell, it could be a hair more aligned, but after about 500 miles I am going to take some more measurements of stuff like that and if it's settling and shifting he will adjust it for me. Benefit of the rear is without having to mess with the steering it can be done easily at home.

You can get it setup spot on day 1 and have it drift over the first few months due to settling anyhow.

Best answer is YMMV with any kit. Just watch it the first few months is what I'd say.

 

[Spokes03]

@j.o.y.ride can you say how much you paid for the kit without the JKS disconnects and the shocks?

 

[j.o.y.ride]

@j.o.y.ride can you say how much you paid for the kit without the JKS disconnects and the shocks?

Send Clayton a PM if you're interested right now. It's not on their site so I'm not gonna say anything.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

how important are the track bars in a kit?

at what point do they become crucial? 2"? 2.5"?

I would say anything over about a 1.5" lift for either/both front & rear. Anything over that you will want adjustable track bars, and adjustable lower control arms to recorrect all the alignments and front axle geometry.

 

[d k]

So a general question...

Wouldn't the ride be a lot better if instead of a longer track rod at a more acute angle, you had spacers on the frame and the axle to bring the track rod back to more horizontal angle?

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just trying to understand.

I would say anything over about a 1.5" lift for either/both front & rear. Anything over that you will want adjustable track bars, and adjustable lower control arms to recorrect all the alignments and front axle geometry.

 

[bastage]

So a general question...

Wouldn't the ride be a lot better if instead of a longer track rod at a more acute angle, you had spacers on the frame and the axle to bring the track rod back to more horizontal angle?

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just trying to understand.

a lot better... no.. Either method should have the axle centered for normal highway driving & provide the same ride quality.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

So a general question...

Wouldn't the ride be a lot better if instead of a longer track rod at a more acute angle, you had spacers on the frame and the axle to bring the track rod back to more horizontal angle?

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just trying to understand.

You can, and most Dodge Ram 2500/3500 lift kits DO include a track bar relocation bracket...

But our factory JT track bars and tie-rods are shitty thin aluminum, and have flex in them, so getting rid of them for a steel unit is MUCH stronger.

 

[d k]

yes, but if the track bar is at 45 degree angle, the axle will move sideways quite a bit compared to a 15 degree track bar.

I'm not sure if I'm making sense....

a lot better... no.. Either method should have the axle centered for normal highway driving & provide the same ride quality.

 

[d k]

Stronger, for sure.

I'm just looking at the geometry and wondering why they don't do both - stronger track bar and proper geometry.

You can, and most Dodge Ram 2500/3500 lift kits DO include a track bar relocation bracket...

But our factory JT track bars and tie-rods are shitty thin aluminum, and have flex in them, so getting rid of them for a steel unit is MUCH stronger.

 

[bastage]

yes, but if the track bar is at 45 degree angle, the axle will move sideways quite a bit compared to a 15 degree track bar.

I'm not sure if I'm making sense....

It does, but you are talking about the difference being when the suspension is either compressed or drooped.. In either case you shouldn't be going fast enough to feel that difference much.. Where as if there were spacers up from the bottom & down from the top you would end up with those limiting your travel by simply being in the way if you were giving it a really good flex.
If your talking about something really high speed where you need the travel like desert racing then a track bar would be gone in anything serious as you would be looking at something like a 4 link where you get the travel & no track bar as the axle is held centered by the inner arms.

 

[bastage]

So my Clayton 2.5 overland lift is installed, but I won’t get it back till Monday.

 

[DirtyD]

Interesting that they're providing front upper arms instead of lowers for a package like this. I'm not doubting them because I know they know what they're doing. Just interesting. I bet that's going to be a great setup!

The Metalcloak 3.5 Dual Rate kit is the same, front upper arms instead of lowers. Not sure why, but very happy with mine.

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