I've got an '04 TJ that is my daily driver (only to and from work) and weekend warrior. I purchased this Jeep to get into 4x4 and become a project vehicle. I am in the planning phase of a suspension and axle build. My favorite off-road terrain is trails and rocks.
 My question, "Is a 6" short arm kit a waste of money compared to a long arm kit?" I want to run 35's and have good articulation on the trail, but also have acceptable street manners.
 I know you get what you pay for. Are there any good short arm kits out there in the 6" range?  

Does anyone even make a 6 inch short arm system? I mean a suspension manufacture, not just some shop that put a kit together. Boy, i'd run fast.

3-4 inch max for a short arm. For 35's, you don't need 6 inches of suspension lift.

Work a combination of options to make 35's work. 3 inch suspension, 1 inch body, lowered bump stops and some fender trimming.

Did you see July's JPmag article on what does it take to make tires fit chart?

For a good 3-4 inch kit that addresses the things that need to be addressed, so that it still drives nice on the street, plan on spending over a grand.  

o' yeah, theres serveral 6" short arm kits... rancho for one that uses the same arms for the 6 as they do the 2.5" lift...

I'm gonna say a lift over 3.5" should be a long arm...
the short arms mess with the wheel base, a 6 inch short arm is kinda edgy feeling to me on the hwy.

they also dont really have any more articulation than a 2.5" short arm does, the shock length is the limiting factor.

my front shocks reach almost 2" farther than the arms can reach in the front and can drop out the springs. while the rear bottoms out the shocks, the stock mounting location prevents ya from getting long enough tubes stuffed in to max out the arms.

if your planing to keep it under 35" rubber a 3.5-4" lift will work good for ya.

I'd love to have long arm suspension, the 2.5 rancho short arm does all I need from it and I run 34" trXus m/t's under it and have a ton of flex in the front and the rear from from the stinger 3 link rear..

at six inches I'd call the short arms a waste, just for looks... if your going that high and have the coin definately get a complete long arm suspension. they ride way better, and keep the geometry correct.

 

Hey Mud:

Ever got any pics with the sun shinning?  

I run a 5.5 longarm with 35" tires and it works for me.


 

Thanks guy's for the input. I can't wait to post some pics of my rig, hopefully by early fall, with a good start on a reliable build!!  

Up to about 4 inches the long arm offers very little advantage over SA. As you go past 4 inches its clearly advantage LA. Or so it would seem, however that is another thread, but for purposes of this discussion LA is holding most of the cards as the lift passes the 4 inch mark...

Complete write up here:  http://www.savagesun4x4.com/enter/viewpoints-technical_discus/long_arm_vs_short_arm_for_t.html