Jeep Wrangler JK ARB Old Man Emu Suspension

Jeep Jk Arb Suspension Front View Articulation

ARB, known for rugged products developed for the Australian Outback, is one of those rare companies that have a cult-like following. Everywhere we go, there is always someone who swears by the brand and its product. Over the years our experience has been in line with that thinking as well, sampling products that have always exuded quality and OEM-like craftsmanship and precision. ARB also does real-world development and testing in the harsh environs of the island continent, and it stands behind its products.

1. ARB's Old Man Emu suspension system is simple and effective, including four new coil springs matched to needed carrying capacity; four specially valved heavy-duty shocks, and optional spacers to level out the typical JK lean. ARB backs the suspension with a 2 year/24,000-mile warranty.

1. ARB's Old Man Emu suspension system is simple and effective, including four new coil sp

With the popularity of the Jeep Wrangler JK, ARB quickly went to work to offer a complete line of products for the hottest thing in wheeling since the TJ. In addition to its well-known Air Locker and differential covers, ARB also has two styles of front bumpers; a rear bumper, rock sliders, and its own Old Man Emu brand lift kit. And while we are at it, don't forget that they also offer lighting options under the IPF brand.

ARB was along with its JK on our Rubicon trip last summer, and after watching the ARB company Wrangler take on the infamous trail, we were convinced its newest products were a fit with our readership and contacted ARB about doing a product installation and review of its offerings.

With ARB on board with their sliders, bumpers, lights and suspension system, and a donor Wrangler available we headed over to Off Road Evolution in Fullerton, California, for the install. Follow along to view our donor Jeep go through a transformation from stock to Outback-rated.

2. With the JK securely on the rack and the wheels removed, the sway bars were disconnected and the stock coils and shocks were removed.
2. With the JK securely on the rack and the wheels removed, the sway bars were disconnecte
3. Next, we drooped the front axle as far as possible and installed the new coils. We chose our springs based on the fact that we were installing ARB bumpers. ARB also offers springs for stock bumpers, as well as stock applications.
3. Next, we drooped the front axle as far as possible and installed the new coils. We chos
4. Once the new front springs were seated, the OME Nitrocharger front shocks were installed. These twin-tube shocks feature multi-stage compression and rebound valving with a special triple-lip check valve seal to remove dirt from the piston rod and are designed for a comfortable ride over rough roads with high loads in mind.
4. Once the new front springs were seated, the OME Nitrocharger front shocks were installe

5. We then moved to the rear of the JK where the OME coils and shocks were installed.
6. To finish up the suspension install, we reconnected the sway bar to the end links.
7. The OME kit makes for a clean install and does not require aftermarket brake lines, track bar relocation, steering modifications or end links, keeping product and installation costs down considerably.
7. The OME kit makes for a clean install and does not require aftermarket brake lines, tra

8. Next, the stock front and rear bumpers were removed from the JK.
9. We chose ARB's airbag-compatible Deluxe front bumper, which has turn signals, placement for the factory driving lights, and contours to match the lines of the JK. ARB also provides tabs for lights and winch mounting. Both front and rear bumpers have Hi-Lift jacking points.
9. We chose ARB's airbag-compatible Deluxe front bumper, which has turn signals, placement
10. We first mounted the supplied turn signals to the ARB bumper.

11. To ensure airbag compatibility, which has been confirmed through crash testing, the factory bump cans are reused and an ARB extension is added.
11. To ensure airbag compatibility, which has been confirmed through crash testing, the fa
12. Once the extensions were installed, the bump can assembly was mounted to the new bumper.
12. Once the extensions were installed, the bump can assembly was mounted to the new bumpe
13. Supplied bumperettes were then added to the front of the bumper.

14. We then removed the factory driving lights from the stock bumper and attached them to ARB's brackets, and then mounted them to the new bumper.
14. We then removed the factory driving lights from the stock bumper and attached them to
15. Lastly, the auxiliary light tabs were attached to the bumper.
16. With the front bumper fully assembled, we lifted it into place and mounted it to the JK.
16. With the front bumper fully assembled, we lifted it into place and mounted it to the J

17. We then mounted the supplied braces to strengthen the corner of the bumper against side impacts.
17. We then mounted the supplied braces to strengthen the corner of the bumper against sid
18. The next step of our install was to get the rear bumper mounted to the Jeep. Once the rear bumper was lifted in place, it was leveled and the frame was marked; then the rear bumper was removed.
18. The next step of our install was to get the rear bumper mounted to the Jeep. Once the
19. ARB's bumper uses the factory mounting holes, in addition to this bracket that requires drilling in to the frame.
19. ARB's bumper uses the factory mounting holes, in addition to this bracket that require

20. With the rear bumper in place, we mounted the IPF 900XS lights to the front bumper. These lights are built with a heavy gauge steel housing, can be submersed for up to 2-minutes, and have a hardened glass lens. Waterproof connectors on the wiring harness are also pluses.
20. With the rear bumper in place, we mounted the IPF 900XS lights to the front bumper. Th
21. ARB also includes this flip-up license plate mounting bracket to clear a winch line.
22. The last stage of the bumper install was to wire the turn signals and the IPF auxiliary lights.
22. The last stage of the bumper install was to wire the turn signals and the IPF auxiliar

23. The owner of this JK had aftermarket wheels on order, so he decided to temporarily use the factory wheels with these wheel spacers.
23. The owner of this JK had aftermarket wheels on order, so he decided to temporarily use
24. With the JK back on the ground, we installed ARB's Rock Sliders, which was a straightforward process but did require an ample amount of drilling.
24. With the JK back on the ground, we installed ARB's Rock Sliders, which was a straightf
25. One unique feature of ARB's sliders are these sill covers that visually clean up the pinch weld.
25. One unique feature of ARB's sliders are these sill covers that visually clean up the p

26. The completed look of the front bumper is stylish and functional, looking well integrated in to the JK's design and giving the Jeep a much more aggressive and purposeful look.
26. The completed look of the front bumper is stylish and functional, looking well integra
27. The rear bumper complements the JK and the front bumper well, and allows use of a larger spare on the stock spare tire carrier.
27. The rear bumper complements the JK and the front bumper well, and allows use of a larg
28. ARB's Rock Sliders are solidly built and by sticking out slightly from the body, give the JK better protection than the stock sliders that come on the Rubicon.
28. ARB's Rock Sliders are solidly built and by sticking out slightly from the body, give

Tire Choice
The owner of this JK was looking for an aggressive-looking mud tire with excellent street manners. We recommended Toyo's Open Country M/T, which we have had extensive experience in all types of terrain, including Moab. Thanks to an aggressive design that includes scalloped shoulder blocks and sidewall lugs, the Open Country M/T features great traction on the trail and has the added benefit of siping for wet pavement performance and with three plies, it is plenty tough. Because this Jeep's main purpose was a daily driver that can hit the trails on the weekend, we decided to only go up in size slightly to Toyo's LT295/70R17, which works out to be a narrow 33 at 33x11.50, perfect for a Wrangler running stock wheels.

How It Works
While the ARB-equipped JK now sports a much improved stance and looks like it should have from the factory, we were concerned that the flex of the ARB kit would be compromised because it doesn't have extended sway bar endlinks, but we were surprised to see that on Off Road Evolution's 30-degree RTI ramp, it actually scored over 11-percent better than stock with a 20-degree equivalent score of 577 for the ARB modifications versus 517 for the stock Jeep.

The owner has reported that the Jeep ride is a bit firmer and overall better than stock. He says he couldn't love the upgrades any more and would recommend them without hesitation to anyone. With this setup, we gained 1 inche of ground clearance, and approximately 3 inches in overall lift. We think it is impressive that you get this kind of performance from a suspension upgrade that goes for less than $800.

ARB's front Deluxe bumper retails for $995.96, the rear bumper for $745.45, the Rock Sliders for $593.95 ($538.30 two-door), and the IPF 900SX lights for $285.88.

SOURCES
ARB 2-06/-264-1669 www.arbusa.com	Toyo Tires 6261 Katella Avenue, Suite 2B Cypress CA 90630 8-00/-678-3250 www.toyo.com
Off Road Evolution N/A www.offroadevolution.com