A-man930 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I've never been thrilled with going this route in the first place but it looks to be the best choice right now ($$$) to get it riding safe/correct. I've read up as much as I can stand; including threads like this one that are MJ specific: http://comancheclub.com/topic/18066-lower-control-arm-drop-bracket/?hl=arm+drop This is what I've come up with so far: RRO (Rocky Road Outfitters): Pros: Strong, one-piece, MJ specific design Cons: LOTS of pretty crappy reviews on customer service and product quality/fitment. Sounds like a real gamble. RCX (Rough Country): Pros: Cost, availability, reliable supplier/manufacturer, cost. Cons: Multipiece design, designed for XJ (have to remove MJ gussets,) puny bolt-on bracket brace. RCE (Rubicon Express): Pros: Beefy bracket brace (extends to crossmember,) big collar/bushing on upper bracket (compared to RCX.) Cons: Don't really know much about the product! Haven't seen anyone use it on an MJ... I'll be making a decision next week. Any additional feedback is welcome, especially on the RCE kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyc Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 The RE braces won't work unless you trim down the LCA mounts. I ran some Trailmaster drop brackets (identical to RE) with the RE braces on my XJ. Then I swapped the drop brackets over to my MJ without the braces. And never had any issues. Ran the Rubicon Trail, all over Moab, and local trails for five years with these brackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 The RE braces won't work unless you trim down the LCA mounts. I ran some Trailmaster drop brackets (identical to RE) with the RE braces on my XJ. Then I swapped the drop brackets over to my MJ without the braces. And never had any issues. Ran the Rubicon Trail, all over Moab, and local trails for five years with these brackets. -The factory ones? -So, no brace at all? Just the drop brackets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I built my own. mine are designed similar to the RRO brackets and made from 1/4" plate. The RE and RC brackets are pretty similar, between the two I would buy the RC brackets and just make a brace for them that fits the MJ and extends back to the crossmember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyc Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 The RE braces won't work unless you trim down the LCA mounts. I ran some Trailmaster drop brackets (identical to RE) with the RE braces on my XJ. Then I swapped the drop brackets over to my MJ without the braces. And never had any issues. Ran the Rubicon Trail, all over Moab, and local trails for five years with these brackets. -The factory ones? -So, no brace at all? Just the drop brackets? Yes, the factory ones that are discussed in the link you provided. And yes, no brace, just the drop brackets. Of course, results may vary, but I had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Does TrailMaster still exist, and is their drop bracket kit still available? My '88 MJ had a TrailMaster lift with drop brackets when I bought it. I wheeled it like that for several years -- until I got tired of the lift and put it back to stock height. It was a good kit, plenty beefy. I passed it along to Frank the Dog in exchange for his help removing the lift. Looks like TrailMaster is still in business. Their current lift kits don't seem to include drop brackets, so I sent a message to the sales department to ask if they are still available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Yes, the factory ones that are discussed in the link you provided. So the "extra" part that's welded onto the otherwise XJ-identical mount? I've seen it called a brace or gusset... I think we're talking about the same thing... and by what I read using the RC braces will require them to be trimmed down as well. I'm intrigued now; can I use the RE9900 kit (mount relocation parts alone,) use it brace-less for a time, and later design and build some braces that work with the factory MJ frame?? I'd love to NOT cut up my truck if I don't have to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I built my brackets and ran them for a year or so before I got around to building braces. I have another MJ sitting at the shop with the RC brackets without the braces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 I have another MJ sitting at the shop with the RC brackets without the braces. So there's no modifications you had to make to fit up the Rough Country brackets to the MJ? It's only the brace that's a XJ vs MJ issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Bolted right on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I just got the rro mounts in. I chose them because they are the only ones that are specifically for the mj. I haven't installed them yet but they look to be of solid quality. Came with all hardware and straight forward instructions. They are not one piece, there's the main drop bracket and a second brace for each side which is designed to bolt to the mj gusseting. They shipped a little slow, and when I emailed asking them for an update it took them a couple days to respond, but when they responded they told me exactly what was up and when to expect them, and they arrived the day they told me they would. Overall I would recommend them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Ochs Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I've never been thrilled with going this route in the first place but it looks to be the best choice right now ($$$) to get it riding safe/correct. I've read up as much as I can stand; including threads like this one that are MJ specific: http://comancheclub.com/topic/18066-lower-control-arm-drop-bracket/?hl=arm+drop This is what I've come up with so far: RRO (Rocky Road Outfitters): Pros: Strong, one-piece, MJ specific design Cons: LOTS of pretty crappy reviews on customer service and product quality/fitment. Sounds like a real gamble. RCX (Rough Country): Pros: Cost, availability, reliable supplier/manufacturer, cost. Cons: Multipiece design, designed for XJ (have to remove MJ gussets,) puny bolt-on bracket brace. RCE (Rubicon Express): Pros: Beefy bracket brace (extends to crossmember,) big collar/bushing on upper bracket (compared to RCX.) Cons: Don't really know much about the product! Haven't seen anyone use it on an MJ... I'll be making a decision next week. Any additional feedback is welcome, especially on the RCE kit! I have the RCE kit. It's really beefy and holds up great! The price is great too. Do you want some pictures of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Absolutely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Ochs Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Absolutely! sure thing when I get home from family's house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I just got the rro mounts in. I chose them because they are the only ones that are specifically for the mj. I haven't installed them yet but they look to be of solid quality. Came with all hardware and straight forward instructions. They are not one piece, there's the main drop bracket and a second brace for each side which is designed to bolt to the mj gusseting. They shipped a little slow, and when I emailed asking them for an update it took them a couple days to respond, but when they responded they told me exactly what was up and when to expect them, and they arrived the day they told me they would. Overall I would recommend them. The bracket itself should be one piece and the brace is seperate. On the RC and RE the main bracket is two pieces then the brace is seperate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee21490 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 The RE braces won't work unless you trim down the LCA mounts. I ran some Trailmaster drop brackets (identical to RE) with the RE braces on my XJ. Then I swapped the drop brackets over to my MJ without the braces. And never had any issues. Ran the Rubicon Trail, all over Moab, and local trails for five years with these brackets. They really don't need the braces on the comanche, XJ has a weaker mount area. I've never been thrilled with going this route in the first place but it looks to be the best choice right now ($$$) to get it riding safe/correct. I've read up as much as I can stand; including threads like this one that are MJ specific: http://comancheclub.com/topic/18066-lower-control-arm-drop-bracket/?hl=arm+drop This is what I've come up with so far: RRO (Rocky Road Outfitters): Pros: Strong, one-piece, MJ specific design Cons: LOTS of pretty crappy reviews on customer service and product quality/fitment. Sounds like a real gamble. RCX (Rough Country): Pros: Cost, availability, reliable supplier/manufacturer, cost. Cons: Multipiece design, designed for XJ (have to remove MJ gussets,) puny bolt-on bracket brace. RCE (Rubicon Express): Pros: Beefy bracket brace (extends to crossmember,) big collar/bushing on upper bracket (compared to RCX.) Cons: Don't really know much about the product! Haven't seen anyone use it on an MJ... I'll be making a decision next week. Any additional feedback is welcome, especially on the RCE kit! There's actually quite a few of us on here using the Rubicon Express drop brackets. I've had mine on for a little over a year now i think, They have great customer service, Mine came with a missing "Boomerang" Bracket & they sent me a replacement next day air free of charge. Can't think of any issues i've ran into with them. Check the "Alexia" Link in my signature, It's a link to a build list including the RE Brackets & Multiple people that are using them. http://imgur.com/06vrxMM,HFacCAs,je32vSa,uyUbk61,TwplSES Here's some pics of Rubicon Express brackets on my truck. They're well used . :MJ 1: . Also quite dirty :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willi2ds Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I'm running the RRO ones for two years now and love them, they forgot to send me the bolts for them & after I called them I got the bolts that same week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Here's my old home brew brackets and braces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 Well, I just pulled the trigger on the RE9900 kit. I'll fab up some braces later on. Lets see how they fit up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I have RC DBs on both of my trucks. I do NOT run braces on either of them. They have been fine for over 5 years on my 89. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautical Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I have RC DBs on both of my trucks. I do NOT run braces on either of them. They have been fine for over 5 years on my 89. I have done this too. They hold up well, don't shift, loosen, or in any way become unsafe. I've supported the truck from them with jackstands before and they didn't so much as scratch them. Braces are nice for that added security, but not needed. The lower controls arms in this picture are backwards. DO NOT use this as a reference if you just so happen to be searching and find this image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 The braces are also there to be used as sliders to help keep you from getting hung up on the drop bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddFoot Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 i used the Rubicon express dbs on my xj that i had 9in of lift i loved them. i had a set of rc dbs and they felt flimsy compared to the re ones. i ordered them from seriousoffroad.com and i paid less for the re ones compared to the rc ones. with my ironman andys control arms the re dbs it rode and drove better than my buddys xj with almost the same setup with rc long arms. only thing different on his was a dana 44 rear and i ran an 8.8.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Guy Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 One more data point for RE brackets without support brackets. No real hard rock play but lots trails and mud. Used with 4.5" RE coils and 1" spacers on 88 MJ. Running stock controls for now. No problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dankicksass Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I'm putting RE drop boxes on this weekend. I've been happy with everything else I've bought from them, can't imagine any other experience with RE. Just picked up some Teraflex shocks to go with the new setup, I'm going to be a happy guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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