If you own a Jeep Wrangler built between 1997 and 2005, you're probably sick of hearing about all the cool new stuff for the newest model. In fact, we'd be willing to bet you're probably frustrated every time you pick up a magazine, only to salivate over the literal smorgasbord of new JK-specific product offerings. It's true; the aftermarket feast, present during every decade of Jeep vehicle, has pretty much digested the TJ, and moved on to what critics and purists alike agree is still a Jeep thing, and you wouldn't understand...and yes, the JK is here to stay.
This is the Pro Comp 4-inch...
This is the Pro Comp 4-inch long-arm conversion for Jeep Wrangler TJs and LJs. As you can see, the kit includes all the essential hardware to convert an articulation-limited short-arm Jeep over to long-arm geometry for a smoother ride and better articulation.
However, Pro Comp is out to change all that. And yes, they sell a JK kit or two, but they also realize a significant number of TJs are still on the road today, many of which are just now becoming builder rigs. Today, Pro Comp offers the distinguished Jeepaholic a new TJ long-arm system that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of appetites. The offering is geared towards daily drivers who like to escape on the weekends. You know, the folks who actually use and sometimes even abuse their rigs for the sake of good fun. Longer suspension link arms allow the kit a more supple ride quality, yet adjustable MX6 dampers can stiffen the road feel more than twice that of stock. The system elevates the vehicle just 4 inches over stock, yet increases articulation significantly. What's more, the rear portion of this system eliminates the rear track-bar setup in favor of a stout triangulated four-link setup. This is the system we opted for, and without betting the farm, we'll say it outperforms the factory five-bar arrangement in every way. Further benefits of the new kit include an additional 11/2 inches of bellypan clearance, a less jarring on-highway ride, and the ability to stuff 35-inch tires without rubbing. But what makes this kit extra special is the fact that you don't have to go super tall to excel at hard-core trail action. The kit flexes with the best of them and thanks to a lower roll center, you need not worry when your teenage daughter begs to borrow the Jeep for a quick jaunt to the supermarket. Simply hand over the keys with confidence, knowing full-well that she's going to keep the dirty side down. Now, if only it was that easy keeping the boys away from her.
Before |  After: You'll notice that...  After: You'll notice that our donor Jeep didn't appear to have grown a whole bunch in height. That's because this long-arm kit only raises the vehicle 4 inches. We like this arrangement because it allows for better highway manners, better fuel economy, and peace of mind during off-camber obstacles. Yet the system allows ample clearance for a 33-inch tire and greatly increases the rig's rockcrawling ability. |  Here you can see the driver-side...  Here you can see the driver-side front coil spring and inside it, the longer Pro Comp bumpstop designed to prevent coil bind issues with the longer spring. This photo also shows the sweet front track-bar drop-down bracket that correctly aligns the track-bar angle with the dropped pitman arm/lower drag link. Also visible here is one of the three longer stainless steel braided brake lines that Pro Comp includes with the kit. |
 Check out this close-up of...  Check out this close-up of the front track-bar drop-down assembly. Notice how the mount ties into the existing factory track-bar mount as well as the frame. This ensures the bracket has plenty of strength to handle the added stress of longer arms, bigger tires, and increased suspension flex. All hardware provided with the kit is Grade 8 like the one seen here. |  This is the high-clearance...  This is the high-clearance bellypan included with the kit. This features flush fasteners and a durable powdercoat finish. This replacement skidplate spans between each frame bracket/lower suspension mount to provide protection for the transmission and transfer case while also adding valuable ground clearance. The system allows you to easily remove the bellypan in case you need to access the transmission or transfer case for service. |  This shot shows the passenger-side...  This shot shows the passenger-side front suspension fully compressed. We thought this was important to show because the bumpstop is preventing the spring from reaching coil bind. Coil bind is a highly undesirable condition that occurs when a spring is compressed to the point where each of the coil windings touch each other. Spring fatigue or failure typically results. With the arrangement shown here, coil bind is a non-issue. This shot also shows how the Pro Comp kit deals with the included sway-bar end links once disconnected. A simple pin-through arrangement prevents the end links from making noise and/or coming apart on the trail. |
 This is an overall shot of...  This is an overall shot of the suspension system fully articulated with help from a forklift. Not bad for 4 inches over stock. |  Pro Comp recommends a frontend...  Pro Comp recommends a frontend alignment after the installation is complete. They also suggest a retorque of all critical pivot points after 500 miles of driving. |  Pro Comp Tire and Wheel hooked...  Pro Comp Tire and Wheel hooked us up with these sweet-looking 17-inch 8128-series simulated beadlock wheels and a set of 305/65/17 Extreme A/T tires. We loved the way this tire and wheel package looked once mounted to our donor LJ. |
What We Think
Both the street ride and trail capability of our donor LJ improved vastly over the factory arrangement. We flogged the rig through the deserts of Northern Nevada on several occasions, and with each outing, our confidence only grew. After a few trips out, we started adjusting the MX-6 shocks to find the best tune for this particular rig's weight bias. For us, the fronts seem to work right around the halfway point, and the rear shocks are good at the stiffest setting. A small key tool allows us to adjust the shocks without getting our hands dirty.
Perhaps the most noticeable improvement of this kit is the rear triangulated four-link setup. No longer does the rear axle want to push in or out laterally throughout the range of travel. Instead it tracks straight up and down, negating all rear-axle wobble while increasing the feeling of stability at higher speeds. This gain is most noticeable when entering a hard corner at high speed, such as you would during a clover-leaf freeway on-ramp. The Pro Comp A/T tires are surprisingly quiet and smooth running, well-suited for a daily driver who encounters a variety of terrain.
The Trickle-Down Effect
After running the new suspension system for several months, we encountered a situation that made us realize we needed to upgrade the rig's steering setup. After a trip, the Jeep's owner noticed a slight bend in the factory tie rod. We theorized that the added leverage of larger tires was simply too much for the stock steering setup. So we contacted Off Road Only (ORO) and got them to send out a solution. ORO has a killer upgrade for Jeep TJs that vastly improves the durability and geometry of the factory Y-link steering arrangement.
 The kit includes a much stronger...  The kit includes a much stronger crossover-style link arrangement that features a quick adjuster for easy steering alignment. |  The ORO U-Turn setup includes...  The ORO U-Turn setup includes two brackets that bolt to the factory knuckles and utilize three attachment points each. One bolt clamps the thick part of the bracket to the factory tie-rod location as shown here; the other two mounting bolts are located inside the knuckle (not shown) |  Here you can see the passenger...  Here you can see the passenger side of the ORO U-Turn steering upgrade. Notice the way both the drag link and tie rod attach to the knuckle bracket. This arrangement is much stronger than stock and features greasable 3/4-ton rod ends for long-lasting service. Another positive result of performing the U-Turn steering upgrade is improved driveability. The kit tightens up steering feel, removing the "dead spot" commonly associated with a lifted TJ's steering. |