MetalCloak Front Lower Long Arm Bolt-On Frame Brackets, Jeep Wrangler JK, Pair

When you convert the front end to long arms, the factory lower mounts are an obstacle rather than a starting point — they sit too close to the axle and hang low under the vehicle. These brackets replace them: they move the lower arm mounting point forward, onto the frame, in a design that tucks up under the chassis instead of protruding from it.

A pair of brackets in 1/4in hot rolled steel plate (approx. 6.4 mm), CAD formed, welded and boxed. The low profile is not a styling decision — the manufacturer shaped them to tuck up inside the vehicle's outline and not hang on obstacles. Gold zinc finish, all necessary hardware included.

Bolt-on installation, no welding. The manufacturer rates it moderate and allows 2–3 hours. It does require cutting — the factory mounts have to come off.

⚠ Check that you are not buying this twice

These brackets are part of the complete MetalCloak front 4-Link system (part no. 7278), which we stock — its specification lists "Frame Mounted Lower 1/4in Steel Control Arm Brackets". If you are buying the system, do not order these separately.

On their own they make sense when:

• you already have the front lower arms (part no. 7224, available here separately) and need the mounts;
• you are replacing a damaged bracket — it sits low and well forward, so it is the first thing to take a hit;
• you are building your own setup and want MetalCloak brackets with another maker's arms.

Note: the front conversion is three separate items — lower arms (7224), upper arms (7291) and mounts. The front upper arm takes its own, different bracket, which is neither this part nor included with it. Buying piece by piece, it is easy to forget.

⚠ Is welding required? The manufacturer gives two different answers

Stated plainly, because it changes the labour bill:

The bracket itself is unambiguously bolted on — the through-bolts in the kit show it, and that is how the manufacturer describes it. The discrepancy concerns the whole operation: once the factory mounts are cut away, the area may need dressing or protecting. Budget the labour generously and have a workshop assess the frame before starting. We are asking the manufacturer and will update this page.

A separate point: in the front conversion, welding definitely appears at the UPPER arm bracket — but only if you choose the weld-on version. The manufacturer also makes it as a bolt-on.

What these brackets change

• A more consistent wheelbase throughout suspension travel – a short arm sweeps a tight arc and shifts the axle as it compresses. A long arm sweeps a flatter one, so the axle stays put.
• Better pinion angle control at a large lift – this is what decides whether the driveshaft vibrates.
• More clearance where it was missing – the factory lower arm mounts hang low. These tuck up under the chassis.
• Less catching on obstacles – a low profile and a closed, welded box instead of a protruding tab.

Construction

• 1/4in hot rolled steel plate – approx. 6.4 mm, CAD formed for a precise fit to the frame.
• Welded and boxed – a box section, not a flat tab.
• Low profile – shaped to tuck up inside the vehicle's outline.
• Gold zinc finish – the same as on the arms and the other MetalCloak brackets.
• All required hardware – including the long through-bolts shown in the photograph.
• Made in the USA.

What's in the kit

• 2 × front lower long arm frame bracket (left and right)
• all required hardware

No control arms are included. The front lower long arms are a separate item: part no. 7224.

Technical data

• Application: Jeep Wrangler JK, 2007–2018, front axle, lower arms
• Function: relocates the front lower arm mounting points onto the frame, for a 4-link setup
• Contents: a pair of brackets (left and right)
• Material: 1/4in hot rolled steel plate (approx. 6.4 mm), CAD formed
• Construction: welded, boxed, low profile
• Finish: gold zinc
• Installation method: bolt-on, no welding (drill and bolt)
• Body modification: requires some cutting — the factory mounts are removed
• Installation difficulty: moderate
• Time to install: 2–3 hours
• Recommended lift range: 4.5in – 6.5in (the manufacturer's stated range for JK long arms)
• Shipping weight: approx. 9.07 kg
• Country of manufacture: USA

Front and rear are two different brackets

We stock both. A full front-and-rear long arm conversion needs both.

Who they are for

For vehicles lifted 4.5in and above that are moving to front long arms — and for the workshops that carry out those conversions. Also for owners of already-converted vehicles who have damaged a bracket on the trail.

This is not a part you add to a stock vehicle. It is a build stage after which the whole front kinematics change — and once the factory mounts are cut off, there is no easy way back.

Installation notes

The order: cut off the factory lower arm mounts, clean and inspect the frame, offer the brackets up, drill, bolt them on, and only then attach the arms. Have every part on hand before starting — once the cutting is done, the vehicle no longer stands on its own front suspension.

Afterwards the pinion angle and wheelbase have to be set, followed by an alignment — MetalCloak recommends one after any suspension work. Szekla4x4.pl is an authorised MetalCloak dealer with a workshop specialising in off-road suspension — we carry out these conversions ourselves, alignment included. Send us your configuration and we will tell you what else you will need.

Why they are worth it

• Without these brackets the front lower long arms have nothing to bolt to.
• 1/4in plate in a box section, in a place that genuinely takes hits from rock.
• Low profile — the factory mounts hang lower than these brackets do.
• The bracket itself bolts on, so the conversion is within reach of a well-equipped workshop.

Not sure whether your build needs the brackets alone or the whole front system? Get in touch — we will tell you honestly, because the price difference runs both ways.

Frequently asked questions

Is welding required?

For this bracket the manufacturer states plainly: bolt-on, no welding. Cutting is required — the factory mounts have to be removed. On the arms' page (7224), however, the manufacturer lists "cutting & welding" for the operation as a whole. Budget the labour generously; we are asking the manufacturer about the discrepancy.

Do the factory mounts stay on?

No. They have to be cut off.

Is this enough to convert to front long arms?

No. You also need the lower arms (part no. 7224), the upper arms (part no. 7291) and a separate bracket for the upper arm. The complete 7278 front system, which contains everything, works out better value.

Do I get these brackets if I buy the 7278 system?

Yes. The system contains exactly these brackets. Do not order them in addition.

Do they fit a two-door JK?

The manufacturer's specification table gives the full 2007–2018 JK range with no distinction by number of doors, and that is how we have listed this item. The marketing text on the same page, however, uses "JKU" (four-door). If you have a two-door JK, get in touch before ordering and we will confirm with the manufacturer.

Do they fit the rear?

No. The rear brackets are a separate item (part no. 7292) — a different design and a different installation.

From what lift height does this make sense?

MetalCloak recommends JK long arms for lifts of 4.5in to 6.5in. Below 4.5in the conversion is usually not needed.