MetalCloak 4.5in 4-Link Long Arm — long arm suspension system, Jeep Wrangler JK

A long arm is a different philosophy from an ordinary lift. Longer arms work on a larger radius, so as the suspension moves the axle travels more vertically and less fore and aft. In practice that means a calmer vehicle on fast washboard and smaller driveshaft angle changes at full droop.

The front 4-link in 2.0in DOM tube with a 1/4in wall gives “precise control over pinion angles in extreme conditions", in the manufacturer's words.

What is in the kit

• Front upper control arm brackets (weld-on or bolt-on — your choice)
• High-misalignment vibration damping Duroflex™ control arms
• Front track bar with Durotrak™ bushings
• Rear track bar with Durotrak™ bushings
• Rear coil alignment retainers
• True Dual Rate™ coils
• Front coil isolators
• HD drag link
• Track bar and stabilizer relocation bracket
• Hi-clearance rear track bar bracket
• Shock mount relocation brackets
• Adjustable bump stops
• Three-layer stainless steel extended brake lines

The front 4-link and the rear

Front: 4-link long arm

2.0in × .25 (1/4in) DOM tube — built for trail abuse. The front upper control arm brackets come two ways: weld-on (cheaper, factory brackets must be removed and the new ones welded) or bolt-on (dearer, no welding). The price on this card is the weld-on version — we quote bolt-on on request.

Rear: bolt-on long arm brackets

The rear gets full bolt-on long arm brackets — not correction brackets but extended arms with new geometry. The manufacturer designed the front 4-link specifically to complement the geometry of the rear long arms.

Three technologies this kit is built on

Duroflex™ — the control arm joints

A patented joint in vulcanised elastomer reinforced with DuPont Kevlar fibre. It combines things that normally exclude each other:

• More misalignment than factory rubber
• Self-centring — the joint returns to axis, the axle holds its position relative to the frame
• Vibration damping — without the noise and harshness of spherical joints
• Maintenance free and rebuildable

True Dual Rate™ — dual rate coils

This is not the same as the common “progressive" spring. A true dual rate coil has two distinct rates: a soft one for ride quality and a firmer one for load. The manufacturer stresses its coils are extra long in free length, so they stay seated even at extreme articulation. MetalCloak has over a decade of dual rate coil production behind it.

Durotrak™ — the track bar bushings

A patented two-part bushing that rotates freely through 360° in the vertical plane while minimising horizontal forces. In practice: the axle stays centred, and vibration and noise (NVH) do not reach the steering wheel.

? Before you order — things you need to know

Shocks are NOT in the base price

The price on this card is for the “Choose My Own" (Outboard Shock Kit) configuration — the kit without shocks, with mounts for your own. The manufacturer offers:

• RockSport Red Long Travel
• RockSport Black (reservoir, adjustable)
• Fox 2.0 Performance (on some kits)
• 6Pak — see the warning below

Tell us which option you want and we will quote the complete package.

⚠ 6Pak — the manufacturer does not ship them outside North America

This is the manufacturer's own condition and it applies to you directly: “6Pak Shocks are not shipped outside of North America. If you are outside of the USA or Canada and order 6Pak shocks or any kit with 6Pak shocks, you are waiving the rights to the lifetime customer service and manufacturers warranty."

We do not recommend that option for Poland. The realistic alternatives are RockSport or Fox, both covered by normal warranty.

⚠ 2012–2018 model years

The manufacturer: “All 2012+ JK Wranglers will require either exhaust spacers or a driveshaft." That is not an option, it is a condition of fitting. Give us the year and transmission when ordering.

The kit cannot be split

The manufacturer states: “This item is being offered as a complete system that contains all the components shown. We cannot customize, replace or remove a component from the kit." And: “If you purchase this system, and decide you do not need a component or part of the system, we cannot accept returns."

Individual components are available separately — contact us if you want to build your own configuration.

Alignment afterwards

The manufacturer recommends a suspension specialist aligns the Jeep once the system is installed. That is not a formality — a change of ride height changes every working angle.

Do not powder coat the coils

The manufacturer advises against powder coating True Dual Rate coils — oven curing affects the spring properties of the steel.

⚠ Additional requirements for this kit

• Front and rear driveshafts are required. The manufacturer states this plainly. It is not optional.
• 2012+ models need an exhaust loop bypass pipe.

Those are real additional costs. We list them here so you can total the build before deciding, not after ordering.

Specifications

• Fits: Jeep Wrangler JK 2007–2018 (2- and 4-door)
• Manufacturer part number: A1645
• Lift height: 4.5in
• Front arms: 2.0in × .25 DOM tube
• Configuration at this price: 2-door, Rubicon (standard links), weld-on upper arm brackets, 2007–2011 or your own front driveshaft, no shocks
• Extra cost options (quoted on request): 4-door, non-Rubicon, heavy duty sway bar end links, bolt-on arm brackets, exhaust spacers / front driveshaft (2012–2018), shocks
• Steel finish: gold zinc
• Shipping weight: about 150.0 kg (our estimate — the manufacturer does not publish one)
• Made in the USA

FAQ

Are shocks included?

No. The price is for the configuration without shocks.

Do I have to weld?

In the version priced here, yes — the front upper arm brackets are weld-on and the factory ones must come off. A bolt-on version exists; contact us.

Do I really need new driveshafts?

Yes — the manufacturer requires front and rear driveshafts with this kit.

How does the “compound" (DB3) version differ from a full long arm?

In the compound version the long arms are only at the front, with DB3 brackets correcting the rear geometry. A full long arm has extended arms at the rear too — more work to fit, but a better result.