Iron Rock Offroad Rock-Link Long Arm install on a Jeep Cherokee XJ

In today's video we go over how to build and install the Iron Rock Offroad Rock Link long arm suspension for the Jeep Cherokee XJ!
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The BEST overland coffee gear In the market!
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Tools used to measure caster angle and build control arms
Digital Angle Finder
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Deflection Beam Torque Wrench
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Our favorite Camping gear
Aluminum Camp Table
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Wool blankets
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Camp Pillows
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USB rechargeable head lamps
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Square Cast Iron pan
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JetBoil
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JetBoil Substitute (no experience with this)
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Rechargeable Tent Light
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12V Dometic Vehicle Fridge
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Renogy 100W Solar Panel
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Renogy 50W Flexible Solar Panel
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[@mikem4011]

Bout to get into this project myself. Appreciate the vid!

[@2AOverland]

Not a problem man! Thanks for watching and hopefully it helps you knock it out!

[@dustysteele5408]

Awesome video!!! It definitely came in handy! I like that you remained calm and didn’t swear so I was able to watch with my 2year old girl. I’ve almost got everything installed on my 97 2Dr XJ (IRO 3” 3-Link), just need to install the 5/8 OTK steering kit and cut fenders and I’ll be done and can finally see how it handles.👍

[@2AOverland]

Thank you so much for watching! That’s the goal man! I want the channel and videos to be family friendly so everybody can watch! If there is swearing in our vids I put up a warning in the intro (other than our last video cause I forgot 😅) with that 5/8 steering it will be extremely strong! I have the same kit and haven’t had any issues 😊

[@dustysteele5408]

@@2AOverland you’re very welcome! I appreciate you making the video! If it’s a word every now and then then that’s not so bad. When it’s constantly throughout the whole video with also blasphemy then I’ll turn it. Nice, yeah I think you had said in another comment that you really liked how it handled? Now I’ll need to make a run the the recycling place with how much extra metal there is now lol.

[@andrewholden7503]

Great video I feel you are so thorough I could do it myself now

[@2AOverland]

I appreciate that! A lot of people don’t go in depth with installs so I did to make it super easy for anybody installing this kit

[@maggiedonovan]

Great video

[@andrewtravis2008]

Very helpful, thank you! I was having a hard time figuring out where the hardware goes in my IRO 5.5 long arm kit for my XJ.

[@2AOverland]

Helping where I can 😎 thanks for watching!

[@drmoto8058]

hell yeah! the best lift you can buy for the xj IMO.

[@2AOverland]

Thanks for watching! I have to agree! This was easily the best 3 link for the money and it’s well worth it!

[@danhambrick6331]

I love my CavFab Alpha series 3 link...💪💪

[@rgsrails]

Great choice! Love my 3" Rock Link! I didn't get the high clearance version which requires removal of the old LCAs. Installed it last year on my '93 XJ. Coupled with their OTK steering kit and OME's long shocks, my girl drives amazing both on and off road! Word of caution though, I raised the pitch of the rear pinion to 6 degrees and still got vibes with an SYE so I installed the T-case drop blocks and that one degree change eliminated them. Makes getting to the nuts to get the center section out easier when you need to. But the exhaust pipe will angle down with the drop blocks so you may need to have a shop reform it back to where it should be.

[@2AOverland]

That’s awesome man! 😊 I’ve had their steering for years now and zero issues too! The only down side is the occasionally squeaking heims but that’s not their fault! I used some Tom Woods shims for the rear axle and haven’t had an issue yet! This kit paired with a good set of leafs, coil springs and shocks almost rides as smooth as a car off the lot IMO.

[@rgsrails]

@@2AOverland Very nice! My entire suspension was an IRO kit except the shocks. Haven't had squeaks with mine except the bushings on the leaf springs need greasing every year after winter. Extremely happy with it otherwise. You'll have great service from yours man! 👍

[@dustysteele5408]

I’m in the process of installing IRO’s 3” 3-Link Long Arm Kit and their 5/8 OTK steering upgrade. I’m very excited to see how it handles because the Jeep pretty much needed new everything anyways lol.

[@2AOverland]

I have the same setup man and it’s tough! And it will handle well!

[@investing4arellanos]

What size shocks did you guys go with in the front and rear?

[@danhambrick6331]

I almost bought this kit,but ended up going with the CavFab Alpha series 3 link...💪💪

[@2AOverland]

That’s legit! I was looking at that kit before the IRO kit but the IRO was cheaper so I went that route.

[@dustysteele5408]

For the next person looking to do this, if you get a 9-12” thick metal carbide sawzall blade then it makes it a lot easier to cut the bottom control arm brackets off.

[@2AOverland]

I couldn’t agree more! That helped me so much when removing mine!

[@dustysteele5408]

@@2AOverland I used a 12” and was able to cut through all layers at once, it was awesome!!

[@2AOverland]

@@dustysteele5408 I used a 9” and a grinder and I definitely recommend against using a grinder now 😂 almost cut some lines going up the drivers side unibody rail

[@dustysteele5408]

@@2AOverland I’m glad that you didn’t!! I also liked that with the sawzall, it didn’t shoot sparks everywhere. I laid it flat up against the bottom of the frame and saw’d away lol. I left the part on the inside of the frame because it didn’t seem in the way. I could be wrong though, I guess I’ll find out when I’m done lol.😂

[@doped304]

The provided iron rock joints at the ends of the control arms last about 1 month. I went with the metal cloak ones about 3 years ago and have not had any problems

[@2AOverland]

Good to know thanks for watching! Are you talking about their duroflex joints?

[@doped304]

The goofy ones where you need to torque them down to inch pounds. Eventually they will flop around in the housing and sound like they are going to bust through your floorboards

[@2AOverland]

Yeah the inch pounds thing kind of threw me off. So what all did you need do to replace the IRO joints with the metalcloak joints? Is it a direct fit in the IRO ends or did you need to buy anything special?

[@doped304]

@@2AOverland they were a direct fit, just do one side at a time. I forgot the size…something oddball like a 2 9/16”. I just called metal cloak and told them the description from the iron rock instructions and they confirmed what I needed. It’s a very common size apparently

[@2AOverland]

That’s awesome man I appreciate you letting me know! I might do a video on this along with installing a Johnny joint on the upper mount of the axle 👌🏼

[@evvis1109]

When hacking off the lower control arm bracket, does the left over material need to be flush for extra clearance or did you just flush and flatten it with the wheel grinder for aesthetics reasons? The reason I ask is that I’d like to do as little grinding as possible and would assume that leaving extra material would only work to add reinforcement to the unibody in that particular spot. Of course, i’d grind down sharp edges and pointy surfaces. Anyway, thank you! Great content! I love your humbleness, btw! Love the XJ, keep up the good work! 🙏

[@2AOverland]

Thank you so much for the kind words I really appreciate that! 😊 I mainly flattened it with a grinder for aesthetic reasons but you can take off just enough material to make sure everything clearances and you should be fine!

[@dylanreynolds4899]

How were you able to torque the carriage bolts holding up the crossmember i cant find room and do not want to have to remove the exhaust

[@2AOverland]

I honestly don’t remember what I did to torque it… I think I used a deep dish socket and just cranked them on there as tight as humanly possible

[@maggiedonovan]

What do you think? Upgrade my XJ to a dana 44 from my dana 30 front axle with chromoly axles 4.56 gears and Eaton tru track lockers fully trussed 0r install this long arm kit? Which one would you do first? ps: I love your install videos.

[@2AOverland]

I absolutely love the long arm kit and how it rides on and off road but if I had the choice I would 10000% do the Dana 44 with all the upgrades first, then do the long arm. The 44 with chromoly strength and a truss will make that thing bomb proof 👌🏼 and we really appreciate it! Every project I do for the Jeep will have a video for it!

[@maggiedonovan]

@@2AOverland Thank you so much for the help it makes my decision much easier.

[@2AOverland]

Not a problem! I can’t wait to see the progress of your rig

[@moejr14]

Does that heat wrap on the exhaust help with trans temps?

[@2AOverland]

In theory it should help but I’m not entirely sure if it helped with that but it did help with interior temps since I have no carpet inside the jeep

[@robbiemarsh4324]

no hate, you sound like earl from "my name is earl" but great video!

[@2AOverland]

That’s awesome 😂 I need to watch more of that show. Thanks for watching!

[@maxwellcawthon7580]

Have you had any binding issues since you put this kit on?

[@2AOverland]

None whatsoever on my rig at full droop and full flex 😊👍🏼

[@maxwellcawthon7580]

@@2AOverland what about the upper arm making contact with front drive shaft. I want to pull the trigger on this kit but ive been hesitant because i hear alot of different things

[@2AOverland]

I had the same question and I was hesitant about that too til I installed the kit. I went wheeling and stuffed the drivers tire as far as I could into the wheel well after install and had zero contact anywhere. I’m on 4.5in & 33’s and had no problems and I have a friend with 35’s and 6.5-7in of lift do the same and he had no problems either. I honestly think if you install the kit correctly and have the right caster angle with your axle you won’t have any issues

[@danielninedorf5502]

Grease is a sand magnet, dry is likely better.

[@2AOverland]

Good point there! Thanks for watching

[@maggiedonovan]

Where did you order it from and what is the part # please.

[@2AOverland]

Thanks for watching 😊 it’s from iron rock offroad! Here’s the website link www.ironrockoffroad.com/product/xj-rock-link-front-long-arm-upgrade.html

[@maggiedonovan]

Thanks buddy

[@shockashoota]

What headlights are those ?

[@2AOverland]

They’re Wrangler TJ headlights and headlight buckets that I got from a junkyard

[@moejr14]

What trans mount do you run?

[@2AOverland]

I have this one, I also have their motor mounts and they’ve all been great dbmetalworx.com/4x4-products/XJ-MJ-HD-UPGRADED-TRANSMISSION-MOUNT-84-01-Jeep-XJ-Centered-&-Offset-p97355230

[@moejr14]

@@2AOverland awesome thanks man. Do you have any vibrations from the mount

[@projectbumblejeep4190]

How does the 3 link work out for a daily driver (on road)? I know the 3 link is designed more for off road use. Thanks for you time. God bless and stay well.

[@2AOverland]

Sorry for the late reply 😬 but thank you so much for watching and god bless you too! 😊 I honestly think this kit would be great for a daily driver! We’ve easily put a 1000 plus miles of city, highway and trail miles on it and have had zero issues whatsoever.

[@slyguyd]

Once it breaks in it rides perfect on the highway...I have the 4" and 33's and can do 75-80mph with no issues. I beat it up on the trails also.

[@2AOverland]

Same boat man, it really does ride great on the highway. Better than I thought actually

[@rgsrails]

I've had mine for over a year of daily driving to work and back. The ride is amazing on and off road. Rear sway delete and installed Boostwerx steering box support with front sway bar and quick disconnects on mine. Solid and dependable.

[@slyguyd]

@@rgsrails noticable difference with that brace? Or just piece of mind. Been looking at JCRs since BW is no longer selling them.

[@ninofajardo1288]

why is the caster on the other side different?

[@2AOverland]

Thanks for watching! The caster is different cause the adjustment on the control arms aren’t the best. The threads are so big and with it being a 3 link you can’t really do any fine adjusting since there’s no upper control arm on the passenger side. That’s why I said if they’re within the degrees I said in the video (I forgot) of each other you’re fine and shouldn’t have any issues.

[@ninofajardo1288]

@@2AOverland how does this small difference affect drivability and tire wear?

[@2AOverland]

@@ninofajardo1288 I’ve driven the jeep 600+ miles and have done a lot of trails since doing the lift. That’s with having the caster angle difference and it’s been perfect on the highway and the tires have looked fine too.

[@ninofajardo1288]

@@2AOverland I finally installed mine after a lot of blood and sweat lol. However I am running into a probelm. I’m running 4.5 metalcloak springs and I noticed that with the lower control arms are the same exact length, the passenger side of the axle I slightly more forward than the left . I think it’s attributed to the worn upper axle bushing where the upper control arm is located . With the passenger side slight more forward by 0.5inch my springs are bowing a bit causing the passenger side to sit close to an inch lower than right . Have you ever had issues like this? Were your lower arms the same exact length ? Thank you !

[@2AOverland]

No problem man! I’m glad you got the long arm on there 😎 my control arms were exactly the same length and I didn’t have that issue with mine at all. I would say replace that upper control arm bushing and double check the control arm lengths and then go from there 👍

[@Olebluee]

Those weld on the frame stiffeners are rough.

[@2AOverland]

A shop did the center section a long time ago so 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Olebluee]

@@2AOverland Good lord.Thats awful.

[@stevefellers9349]

Could you send me a copy of those instructions?

[@2AOverland]

Sure! I can do that through Instagram when I get home through work and I can leave a link to the PDF off IRO’s website too. www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/XJ_Long_Arm_Upgrade_Front_3_Link_Install.pdf

[@stevefellers9349]

@@2AOverland Thank you, much needed and looked on the web site and could not find. Thanks again... Nice build by the way. That is my goal too to build a overlander!