Trying to understand everything so I can plan my slow series of upgrades well. I'm lifted 2 1/2" and want to know are adjustable control arms and setting the caster just for the purpose of improving the ride or something else? What other reasons would I want to adjust my caster? As for pinion angle my concern is making my driveshaft last as long as possible cause I'm on a budget. I will sacrifice ride quality to not buy more parts ( driveshaft ) as long as it doesn't prematurely wear out something else.

 

I ran 4 inches of lift with my stock front drive shaft before it gave out. I have front lower adjustable arms. I kept my caster within 2 degrees of stock and it was perfect. After my driveshaft went out I replaced it with a JE Reel double Cardan 1350 DS. JE Reel recommends the pinion and DS angle be within 0 degrees of each other. When I adjusted it to this the caster was so thrown off I was all over the road. I had to play with the lower arm adjustment to find a happy place between the caster and a little bit of drivetrain vibration. Apparently the U-joints will fail sooner unless the angle is as JE Reel calls for. I prefer being able to keep my Jeep in the middle of the lane versus fighting to keep from hitting anybody and everybody around me. This is one example. I hope this helps. Disclaimer......I am by no means an expert on this. This is simply my experience.

 

Caster has more to do with directional stability than ride quality. It's also what makes the front wheels return to straight ahead following a turn.

More than the u-joints can fail. There have been quite a few t-case explosions on the highway due to too much angle between the front pinion and the drive shaft, when a double cardan is at the t-case.

 

If at 2.5" of lift your steering is satisfactory to you then there is no reason to adjust the caster and really at that height you should be ok. Adjusting the caster will put more misalignment to your driveshaft and reduce the life of the driveshaft.

So in short if you are happy with the steering leave it be.

By using both upper and lower adjustable control arms you can push the axles back to the factory position and regain the wheel base that was lost because of the lift.

 

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of getting LCA's to remedy a small bit of flightyness, But it's not at all bad and I would much rather not have to buy a driveshaft for as long as possible. Hopefully it will last another 4 years when its paid off and I trade it in. Another question. I don't have adjustable track bars and was wondering is there any concerns besides the axle not being perfectly centered? Would getting AdjTB's help with handling at all?

 

Not really unless you are catching the ruts on the highway.

 

That's good to hear. Thanks again

 

Yes a T-case explosion is a worst case scenario. WayALife says he runs his with the factory caster and no problems.