MetalCloak Front 4-Link Long Arm System for the Jeep Wrangler JK, Bolt-On Upper Mounts

The front axle on a lifted JK has the harder job of the two: besides locating the wheel it has to live with the steering and the front driveshaft. Past about four inches of lift the factory short arms start fighting themselves — the pinion angle drifts, the wheel walks fore and aft through every compression cycle, and on fast, broken gravel the vehicle stops holding the line you gave it.

This kit moves the arm mounts rearward and converts the front to long arms. The lower arms are 2.0in DOM tube with a 1/4in wall, the uppers 1.25in with a 3/16in wall, all running Duroflex joints. This is the version with bolt-on upper mounts in a gold zinc finish — no welding of the upper brackets required.

Three things to know before you buy

• The factory front control arm brackets have to be cut off. MetalCloak rates the difficulty as difficult and quotes 10–12 hours. This is workshop work, not a weekend job.
• The exhaust needs attention. On 2007–2011 JKs MetalCloak notes that exhaust modification may be required to clear the lower control arm mounts. On 2012 and newer JKs an exhaust loop bypass pipe is required — budget for it.
• The kit is sold as a complete system. MetalCloak will not swap or remove components from it and does not accept returns of parts you decide not to use. Individual components are available separately.

Key benefits

• Stable wheelbase through the whole cycle – a longer arm sweeps a much larger radius, so the wheel does not move fore and aft as the suspension compresses and extends.
• Pinion angle control on a tall lift – MetalCloak positions the lower arms specifically for lift heights of 4.5 inches and up.
• Lower arms in 2.0in DOM tube with 1/4in wall and forged threaded ends — where the front axle takes the worst of it.
• Upper arms in 1.25in DOM tube with 3/16in wall, formed for clearance through the full range of travel.
• Duroflex joints at both ends of every arm – 34° of misalignment, self-centering, low maintenance and rebuildable, in a Kevlar-compounded elastomer with markedly better vibration damping than factory rubber bushings.
• Fully welded, boxed lower brackets in 1/4in plate with a low profile — less material hanging below the vehicle.
• Bolt-on upper mounts in gold zinc – in this version you neither weld the upper brackets nor have to finish them yourself.

What's in the kit

• 2 × front upper long arm
• 2 × front lower long arm
• frame mounted lower control arm brackets
• bolt-on upper control arm mounts
• all required hardware

Technical data

• Application: Jeep Wrangler JK, 2007–2018
• Recommended lift range: 4.5in – 6.5in
• Lower arms: 2.0in DOM tube, 1/4in wall (approx. 6.4 mm)
• Upper arms: 1.25in DOM tube, 3/16in wall (approx. 4.8 mm)
• Joints: Duroflex, vulcanised elastomer with DuPont Kevlar fibre, two per arm
• Joint misalignment: 34°
• Lower arm ends: forged, threaded
• Lower control arm bracket: 1/4in hot rolled steel
• Upper control arm bracket (bolt-on): 1/4in hot rolled steel
• Coating: gold zinc
• Installation difficulty: difficult
• Installation time: 10–12 hours
• Modification: factory brackets must be cut off; 2012+ requires an exhaust loop bypass pipe
• Country of manufacture: USA

Who it is for

For JKs lifted 4.5 inches and up, built for serious terrain — rocks, long descents, speed over broken gravel. If the vehicle already runs rear long arms, the front is the natural next step: only the pair gives coherent geometry at both ends. If you are fighting driveline vibration, nervous handling or a front axle that moves around under compression, this is the part. Below 3 inches of lift it makes little sense — the factory geometry still copes there.

Installation notes

This is the most demanding install in MetalCloak's JK suspension range — rated difficult, at 10–12 hours. The factory front control arm brackets have to be cut off and new ones fitted to the frame. An alignment by a suspension specialist is recommended once the work is finished.

Plan the exhaust separately: on 2007–2011 vehicles modification may be needed, and on 2012 and newer an exhaust loop bypass pipe is required.

We carry out this conversion in house. Szekla4x4.pl is an authorised MetalCloak dealer with an off-road workshop and experience in JK suspension conversions, including the cutting, welding and exhaust work involved.

Why it is worth it

• Above 4.5 inches of lift this is not cosmetic — it repairs geometry the factory arms can no longer carry.
• Materials chosen for the loads: heavy DOM tube, forged ends, boxed 1/4in plate brackets.
• The bolt-on version saves welding the upper brackets and arrives already protected against corrosion.

Running a lifted JK and wondering whether to start at the front or the rear? Get in touch and we will work out the order around how you actually use the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

What lift height does this kit suit?

MetalCloak recommends its JK long arms on lift kits from 4.5in to 6.5in. The front lower arms are designed for lift heights of 4.5 inches and up.

Does the exhaust have to be modified?

On 2007–2011 JKs MetalCloak notes that exhaust modification may be required to clear the lower control arm mounts. On 2012 and newer, an exhaust loop bypass pipe is required.

Does anything have to be cut?

Yes. The factory front control arm brackets have to be cut off. MetalCloak rates the difficulty as difficult and quotes 10–12 hours.

How does this version differ from the weld-on variant?

It comes down to the upper control arm mounts. In this version they bolt on and arrive in a gold zinc finish. MetalCloak supplies the weld-on variant in raw steel for your own finish.

Can I buy only part of the kit?

Not as this listing — MetalCloak sells it as a complete system and does not accept returns of individual components. The individual parts are available separately as their own products.

Is an alignment needed afterwards?

Yes. MetalCloak recommends having a suspension specialist align the vehicle once its suspension is installed.