Install Pics - Rock Krawler 5.5 Longarm Coilover

58961 Views 84 Replies 37 Participants Last post by gt1guy, Apr 24, 2018

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2009 (Edited)

9

The guys at Atomic 4x4 in Austin Texas installed this RK long arm suspension on my JK. As with everything else that I've had done at this shop the quality of work was outstanding. Atomic is not just a service shop, they are master fabricators & welders and can handle any job. Here are a handfull of pics. I'll post wheeling pics soon!

One note about Rock Krawler: This is my first product that I've bought from them. The kit is huge and shipped in 16 boxes. But every little nut and bolt was there, very complete. Quality is off the scale good. And instructions are also top notch. Great outfit - thanks RK!! / and no, I don't work there

Edit: a few wheeling pics at the bottom of this page.

A few new parts!

Cutting & Grinding off old mounts

Rear axle truss

Adam Welding new mounts on

See less See more

61 - 80 of 85 Posts

Liquor

· #61 · May 26, 2010

cruzcode said:
Kevin,

How do you like the coil-overs on the road? I'm sure that they are wet-dream while off-roading, but what about daily driving, handling, etc.? Too soft?

I'd really love your thoughts here, because I have a 4-Door, and I'm contemplating going coil-overs up front after I install a long-arm kit.

Thanks man.

RC

RK kits uses they own new shocks (these things are very light), bilstien, fox, walker evans, or king. whatever you want.

"CAIN" is my DD and i drive it cross country to the events i attend. i dont trailer it. i would say highway driving and road handleing is great. i wouldnt DD and drive it on cross country trips if it wasnt comfortable. LoL :beer:

:beer:

RODICON

· #62 · May 26, 2010

Nice!

terrahawk

· #63 · May 26, 2010

Mine rides like a Winston Cup car, but that's how I like to roll.

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #64 · May 27, 2010 (Edited)

cruzcode said:
Kevin,

How do you like the coil-overs on the road?
Thanks man.
RC

Hey man, Well the guys above, PhilD - andrelopez99 - Liquor - terrahawk, are all right on. As far as I'm concerned, the on road ride is even better than the offroad ride. The thing just floats over bumps. Really soft ride. And the crazy thing that I did not expect, the RK 5.5 kit has very little body roll. Just go for it, you will not be sorry :beer:

:beer:

weaver1371

· #65 · Jun 1, 2010

TEXASKEV said:
Thanks man, a little Big Bend National Park Flex from last week:

I'll go 40"s after going D60's and flat fenders. A couple of years away.

Did you do anything to your axles to run the 37"?

cruzcode

· #66 · Jun 27, 2010

TEXASKEV said:
Hey man, Well the guys above, PhilD - andrelopez99 - Liquor - terrahawk, are all right on. As far as I'm concerned, the on road ride is even better than the offroad ride. The thing just floats over bumps. Really soft ride. And the crazy thing that I did not expect, the RK 5.5 kit has very little body roll. Just go for it, you will not be sorry

TexasKev,

Well now I'm bummed. I ordered my RK 5.5 system, but WITHOUT coil-overs. It's getting installed this week, but I had decided to go without. I really hope that I don't regret going coil-overs, but I wonder if I can upgrade to coil-overs later, if I make that decision.

Thoughts?

RC

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #67 · Jun 27, 2010

cruzcode said:
TexasKev,

Well now I'm bummed. I ordered my RK 5.5 system, but WITHOUT coil-overs. It's getting installed this week, but I had decided to go without. I really hope that I don't regret going coil-overs, but I wonder if I can upgrade to coil-overs later, if I make that decision.

Thoughts?

RC

You're good. You can always add the coilovers later if you decide to. I've ridden in an unlimited with the 5.5 system, just like mine only no coilovers. Road great. And following him on the trails I can tell ya, its very flexy also. And another cool thing is that you saved the install guys a lot of work. That coilover tower took some doing to get put on.

You'll love the lift that you have coming. And for christ sakes, post pics! Install ones to if you can get them :beer:

:beer:

andrelopez99

· #68 · Jun 27, 2010

No doubt, post pics, save cash for coil overs

There alot of choices now,

RK, POLY, Rebel, EVO mounting kits.

King, S.A.W., RK, FOX, BALLISTIC FAB shocks

Choices are endless.

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #69 · Jun 27, 2010 (Edited)

weaver1371 said:
Did you do anything to your axles to run the 37"?

Sorry for the late reply. I have not done anything to my stock D44. I have been wheeling but only on dirt and I take it pretty easy. I plan on regearing, tube inserts and C gussets. I'll have Atomic4x4.com do the welding.

EDIT:
I now have 5.38 gears and C gussets with the Evo tube inserts. That should beef up my D44 so that it'll hold up till I bump to D60 axles. Thanks to the comments everyone.

cruzcode

· #70 · Jun 27, 2010

TEXASKEV said:
You're good. You can always add the coilovers later if you decide to. I've ridden in an unlimited with the 5.5 system, just like mine only no coilovers. Road great. And following him on the trails I can tell ya, its very flexy also. And another cool thing is that you saved the install guys a lot of work. That coilover tower took some doing to get put on.

You'll love the lift that you have coming. And for christ sakes, post pics! Install ones to if you can get them

Okay, good. I have heard nothing but the same from people who went with the RK long-arm kits, in that they ride great, handle great (and better than factory I might add), yet flex and handle great on the trails (no tipping because of poor designs relating to roll center).

I'm upgrading my BDS 4.5" Coil Spring Lift to the RK 5.5 Triple-Threat Lift, and I'm particularly interested to see and feel the difference.

Do you know if the the upper control arm mounts on the axle are used, or are they cut off, and new ones welded on? Remember mine is the Triple-Threat, so it is setup as a four-link up front (with one being a removable, fourth link to go to a three-link, when wheeling). The reason I ask, is because I'm having the lift installed on my rig with my Dana 30 in it. Then, I'll measure pinion angle, and order a Dynatrac PR44 custom to my pinion angle and factory caster, which won't be in until late July/early August. So, will I need to have the PR44 setup with RK's upper CA mounts, or again, does it use factory mounts there?

Thanks man!

RC

andrelopez99 said:
No doubt, post pics, save cash for coil overs

There alot of choices now,

RK, POLY, Rebel, EVO mounting kits.

King, S.A.W., RK, FOX, BALLISTIC FAB shocks

Choices are endless.

Cool, sounds good! I'll see how the RK upgrade feels, and we'll go from there!

RC

See less See more

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #71 · Jun 27, 2010 (Edited)

cruzcode said:
Do you know if the the upper control arm mounts on the axle are used, or are they cut off, and new ones welded on?
RC

I have the XFactor 3 link system but I've wheeled with a guy with the Triple Threat and as I recall it was 4 link front and used the stock axel mounts. The rear was a 3 link system just as mine is. The XFactor uses the front control arm mount that is right on the diff. The one on the right side is removed.

andrelopez99 has a great point. If you do decide to go coilover you have many choices.

You have spent your $$ well. You won't be disappointed :beer:

:beer:

Prope

· #72 · Jun 28, 2010

cruzcode said:
Okay, good. I have heard nothing but the same from people who went with the RK long-arm kits, in that they ride great, handle great (and better than factory I might add), yet flex and handle great on the trails (no tipping because of poor designs relating to roll center).

I'm upgrading my BDS 4.5" Coil Spring Lift to the RK 5.5 Triple-Threat Lift, and I'm particularly interested to see and feel the difference.

Do you know if the the upper control arm mounts on the axle are used, or are they cut off, and new ones welded on? Remember mine is the Triple-Threat, so it is setup as a four-link up front (with one being a removable, fourth link to go to a three-link, when wheeling). The reason I ask, is because I'm having the lift installed on my rig with my Dana 30 in it. Then, I'll measure pinion angle, and order a Dynatrac PR44 custom to my pinion angle and factory caster, which won't be in until late July/early August. So, will I need to have the PR44 setup with RK's upper CA mounts, or again, does it use factory mounts there?

Thanks man!

RC

Cool, sounds good! I'll see how the RK upgrade feels, and we'll go from there!

RC

You have to cut off the passenger side and install a new one. The driver side you pound out the bushing and put in a build-a-ball. I wouldn't do either if I were you since you'd have to yank them both back off, you'll be fine running it with the stock rubber ones for a little bit, you'll just have to use some extra washers. Do that to your pro-rock when you get it.

I have the RK with the coils now and bilstein shocks, have the coilovers in the box in the garage because I like my current ride so much and don't think it can get much better! Haha.

Tadempsey808

· #73 · Jul 27, 2010

Thanks for the pics and writeup Texas, they helped me alot in doing my research. Got my 5.5 coilover system on the way

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #74 · Aug 26, 2010

Tadempsey808 said:
Thanks for the pics and writeup Texas, they helped me alot in doing my research. Got my 5.5 coilover system on the way

Cool, you won't be sorry. Post pics!!! Note to RK - shit at least send me some free stickers!!

Rock Krawler Suspension

· #75 · Aug 26, 2010

Texaskev

What would you like have big fella. Send us a PM!

RK

strizzychris

· #76 · Jan 6, 2012

TEXASKEV said:
A few pics from my first wheeling run post lift install.

At first I thought u installed some sort of "predator" Right front fender on that beast...then noticed it was a limb sticking out in front of ya! Nice ride!

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #77 · Jan 6, 2012 (Edited)

2

strizzychris said:
At first I thought u installed some sort of "predator" Right front fender on that beast...then noticed it was a limb sticking out in front of ya! Nice ride!

Thanks. That was the day after the install and I was still rolling on 35"s! lol

2 years later and LOTS of wheeling, I can say that I love this suspension :beer:

:beer:

See less See more

wranglerofspace

· #78 · Feb 15, 2012

Looks awesome! Makes me feel even better about today's purchase of the 3.5 rk. Great pics and huge flex..... AWESOME!

macknjack

· #79 · Dec 24, 2012

what's the status of this bad boy now? i am running the same lift as you on a door as well. i absolutely love it. rides great and is amazing on the trails.

TEXASKEV

Discussion Starter · #80 · Dec 25, 2012 (Edited)

3

Long term review can be summed up in a couple of sentences.

After 3 years and 50K + miles I still totally love this suspension. I didn't get out on the trail hardly at all in 2012

but prior to that the thing has been wheeled a lot with no issues and outstanding flex. On the road it rides great. For as tall as it is, very little body roll.

Over the winter sometime I'm going to replace the frame side rubber bushings but that's more of a preventive measure. I may also change my coilovers and lower the rig about an inch. I have the Polly weld in rear coilover brackets so I'll be going coil on the rear as well.

So, if I was going to start a new build this is the exact suspension that I'd go with again (budget permitting). Its pretty expensive but its not a lift. Its a replacement suspension.

See less See more

61 - 80 of 85 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.