Jakes lift issues

[JeepMann]

I have a g16 with a jakes 6" a arm lift. We mainly cruise the neighborhood and run some 2 tracks from time to time. This thing rides and handles awful. It is not stable at all. Any suggestions? Will a different lift ride better?

[slonomo]

I have found that the single a arm design is the biggest problem with handling. Low speeds should feel ok, but at higher speeds (over 20mph) will get sketchy. Is that when if feels bad, at higher speeds?

The lift may not be the problem, sometimes the wheel/tire combo will cause poor handling, worn shocks, worn hub bearings, and even front tire alignment can cause issues. Have any pics?

[cgtech]

If your lift kit reused the original (up to 20 years old) shocks, i would be suspect of them. They might be worn out.

[JeepMann]

Originally Posted by slonomo

I have found that the single a arm design is the biggest problem with handling. Low speeds should feel ok, but at higher speeds (over 20mph) will get sketchy. Is that when if feels bad, at higher speeds?

The lift may not be the problem, sometimes the wheel/tire combo will cause poor handling, worn shocks, worn hub bearings, and even front tire alignment can cause issues. Have any pics?

Yes higher speeds are worse. I am running 23x10.5-12 VX Golf Vision tires. They are a DOT rated tire. I also get crazy camber changes but I understand that is the nature of this suspension design.

[JeepMann]

Originally Posted by cgtech

If your lift kit reused the original (up to 20 years old) shocks, i would be suspect of them. They might be worn out.

I replaced the shocks. My originals were trashed.

[Mike Mac]

!! These will help a bunch!!

Your shocks are mounted in the top hole on the A arm, the worst place they could be!! Should be shooting for the first or second hole!! (With shaft collars). But, you need to make sure you won't run into "coil bind", on the coil springs!! Don Plowman can help you with this!!

Next issue, it is imperative that the tow-in is set correct!! At 1/16" or less!!

I'm getting a hint that you have a good looking car!!
Good luck!!

[nobuckbuild]

Three things i can see in that pic , 1 toe is off , 2 the shock mounted in wrong hole you need to move it down one space , 3 did you replace the king pins and how well do the bushing fit the kingpins , worn kingpins with good bushing it will be all over the place , also check you tie rod ends , if the have never been replaced they are probably shot , ok thats a little more than three items to check but im sure you have a combination of problems here

[JeepMann]

I had the shocks mounted in the second hole originally but the tires would walk out giving me a ton of negative camber to the point the tires would rub on the body. The tie rod is new but I haven't touched the king pins but I have played with the toe and set it per how one of the jakes tech guys told me.

I had the cart at Plowmans last year when he did the clutch work and installed the hot setup in it. He mentioned that he doesn't like lifts over 4". I have considered the long travel or double a arm but I want to make sure it will help before dropping the money on it.

[N2snow2]

Originally Posted by JeepMann

I had the shocks mounted in the second hole originally but the tires would walk out giving me a ton of negative camber to the point the tires would rub on the body. The tie rod is new but I haven't touched the king pins but I have played with the toe and set it per how one of the jakes tech guys told me.

I had the cart at Plowmans last year when he did the clutch work and installed the hot setup in it. He mentioned that he doesn't like lifts over 4". I have considered the long travel or double a arm but I want to make sure it will help before dropping the money on it.

You will be really impressed with the double A arm lift I was great on and off road

[LimitedEdition]

Originally Posted by JeepMann

I had the shocks mounted in the second hole originally but the tires would walk out giving me a ton of negative camber to the point the tires would rub on the body. The tie rod is new but I haven't touched the king pins but I have played with the toe and set it per how one of the jakes tech guys told me.

I had the cart at Plowmans last year when he did the clutch work and installed the hot setup in it. He mentioned that he doesn't like lifts over 4". I have considered the long travel or double a arm but I want to make sure it will help before dropping the money on it.

I agree with Don at Plowman’s, a four inch lift would be better for me. To do so I would have to make a drop extension to go on the front engine mount to get the rear tires to center up in the wheel wells. With a 6” lift the engine slants down and draws the rear wheels forward closer to the front of the fender well and has to be trimmed for clearance. With 23” tires lowering the lift without correcting the engine slant just wouldn’t work on my setup.