Anyone installed the EVO Overland Control Arm Brackets?

[ScoobyCarolanNC]

Very close to pulling the trigger on a 2.5" EVO Element kit. I did most of the work on my JL myself but there are two things I'm nervous about. On the JL I ordered the longer MOPAR control arms from their lift kit to fix my caster. They were $65 and it was an awesome solution. After I got the steel steering box (and a clinically perfect alignment) that jeep tracked 100% straight hands-off at 80 mph. This time I'm considering the drop brackets to keep my LCA's flat. Anyone else running them? The install notes talk about having to grind the frame a bit? That has me a tad sketched out just that I've never done anything like that myself. Is it a lot of material that has to come off? If don't do it totally perfect will I destroy the truck?

The other thing is the steel brake lines. I figure I can get a Motive Powerbleeder and bleed them myself, but again I've never done it. I'd hate to mess that up and get air in my lines. Is it really as easy as it looks in all the YouTube videos? How come you don't have to extend the ABS sensor lines too?

Thanks for the advice as always!

 

[benatc1]

I put the evo drop brackets on my JT, I don’t recall having to grind anything but if I did it was minimal, but the install was very straight fwd. I really liked the result of feel when driving with the brackets installed. Made it feel stock again. As far as bleeding brakes, let them drip bleed, get a friend to help pump the pedal and work the bleeder screw and you’ll be just fine getting all the air out. Really an easy process

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Very close to pulling the trigger on a 2.5" EVO Element kit. I did most of the work on my JL myself but there are two things I'm nervous about. On the JL I ordered the longer MOPAR control arms from their lift kit to fix my caster. They were $65 and it was an awesome solution. After I got the steel steering box (and a clinically perfect alignment) that jeep tracked 100% straight hands-off at 80 mph. This time I'm considering the drop brackets to keep my LCA's flat. Anyone else running them? The install notes talk about having to grind the frame a bit? That has me a tad sketched out just that I've never done anything like that myself. Is it a lot of material that has to come off? If don't do it totally perfect will I destroy the truck?

The other thing is the steel brake lines. I figure I can get a Motive Powerbleeder and bleed them myself, but again I've never done it. I'd hate to mess that up and get air in my lines. Is it really as easy as it looks in all the YouTube videos? How come you don't have to extend the ABS sensor lines too?

Thanks for the advice as always!

The drop brackets should be a straight bolt in part. I don't think I've ever had to grind anything off for them to go on.

I put the evo drop brackets on my JT, I don’t recall having to grind anything but if I did it was minimal, but the install was very straight fwd. I really liked the result of feel when driving with the brackets installed. Made it feel stock again. As far as bleeding brakes, let them drip bleed, get a friend to help pump the pedal and work the bleeder screw and you’ll be just fine getting all the air out. Really an easy process

Yup this works. Worse case, you will just have to repeat the process if you don't get all of the air out the first time. ABS will just secure to the brake line and should be able to free up some slack by disconnecting it from the oem bracket on the "C" if needed.

 

[sunnysideup]

I have the same lift.... have loved the highway manners of the drop down brackets. No grinding. I had a sport to begin with so I did add a spacer to the front to clear 37's when flexing. It does pretty well! The rear springs were a little too soft when loaded down and trail running at the same time. I swapped them for the 4.5 Hd rears and it seems to be the right combo for being so heavy offroad. The 2.5 were fine in the rear before the RTT and 400lbs of camping gear... I have no complaints about the EVO 2.5 overlander lift!

 

[ScoobyCarolanNC]

I put the evo drop brackets on my JT, I don’t recall having to grind anything but if I did it was minimal, but the install was very straight fwd. I really liked the result of feel when driving with the brackets installed. Made it feel stock again. As far as bleeding brakes, let them drip bleed, get a friend to help pump the pedal and work the bleeder screw and you’ll be just fine getting all the air out. Really an easy process

I don't think I've ever had to grind anything off for them to go on.

have loved the highway manners of the drop down brackets. No grinding.

I have no complaints about the EVO 2.5 overlander lift!

Thanks so much y'all! The brake bleeder I'm going to go ahead and get. I paid $150 to get my brakes flushed on the JK and when I picked it up they'd obviously just topped up the fluid. You could see the new fluid on top of the denser darker old fluid. I was so pissed and they basically told me to F off.

 

[ScoobyCarolanNC]

I have the same lift.... have loved the highway manners of the drop down brackets. No grinding. I had a sport to begin with so I did add a spacer to the front to clear 37's when flexing. It does pretty well! The rear springs were a little too soft when loaded down and trail running at the same time. I swapped them for the 4.5 Hd rears and it seems to be the right combo for being so heavy offroad. The 2.5 were fine in the rear before the RTT and 400lbs of camping gear... I have no complaints about the EVO 2.5 overlander lift!

That one pic flexing on the rocks is incredible!

 

[jwolfejt]

I have the same lift.... have loved the highway manners of the drop down brackets. No grinding. I had a sport to begin with so I did add a spacer to the front to clear 37's when flexing. It does pretty well! The rear springs were a little too soft when loaded down and trail running at the same time. I swapped them for the 4.5 Hd rears and it seems to be the right combo for being so heavy offroad. The 2.5 were fine in the rear before the RTT and 400lbs of camping gear... I have no complaints about the EVO 2.5 overlander lift!

Man that is exactly where I want to be at (for now) with the flex - I will have my ridge grapplers on this coming week - i settled on terraflex wheel spacers (will be installing them all around). Looks like you stuck with the stock flares but with a chop ?"

 

[jwolfejt]

Also curious what front bumper are you running?

 

[sunnysideup]

Also curious what front bumper are you running?

I got the rugged ridge stubby...

 

[ScoobyCarolanNC]

You guys were right. The Evo control arm brackets went on super easy! I didn’t even have to loosen the axle side of the arms.

 

[sunnysideup]

Man that is exactly where I want to be at (for now) with the flex - I will have my ridge grapplers on this coming week - i settled on terraflex wheel spacers (will be installing them all around). Looks like you stuck with the stock flares but with a chop ?"

Yep... american adventure labs...come with led slim lights. I'm on the third set of them... first two burnt out...this third set is about 8000miles now and no problem. They sent replacements for free. stock max tow flares...which are slightly different then the others...

 

[500hp03]

Today I tried to put the EVO drop brackets on my Gladiator. After several hours of cutting more and more material off the upper control arm bracket I decided enough was enough. These simply do not fit my Gladiator. Maybe Carlos took the bracket jig out of the frame assembly line to save money and mine were just eyeballed. IDK. Has anyone else had to butcher the UCA bracket to get these to fit?

 

[WJCO]

Today I tried to put the EVO drop brackets on my Gladiator. After several hours of cutting more and more material off the upper control arm bracket I decided enough was enough. These simply do not fit my Gladiator. Maybe Carlos took the bracket jig out of the frame assembly line to save money and mine were just eyeballed. IDK. Has anyone else had to butcher the UCA bracket to get these to fit?

Welcome to wayalife.

 

[jeeeep]

Today I tried to put the EVO drop brackets on my Gladiator. After several hours of cutting more and more material off the upper control arm bracket I decided enough was enough. These simply do not fit my Gladiator. Maybe Carlos took the bracket jig out of the frame assembly line to save money and mine were just eyeballed. IDK. Has anyone else had to butcher the UCA bracket to get these to fit?

Are you sure you're installing them in the proper side and orientation?

nothing in the installation instructions about cutting, they are 100% bolt in, like the JL

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Today I tried to put the EVO drop brackets on my Gladiator. After several hours of cutting more and more material off the upper control arm bracket I decided enough was enough. These simply do not fit my Gladiator. Maybe Carlos took the bracket jig out of the frame assembly line to save money and mine were just eyeballed. IDK. Has anyone else had to butcher the UCA bracket to get these to fit?

We have never had an issue. They can be a tight fit sure but should bolt right up. They are side specific but that should become pretty clear when test fitting them. There is always the slight chance you got the Friday 5pm set but not likely.

 

[wayoflife]

Today I tried to put the EVO drop brackets on my Gladiator. After several hours of cutting more and more material off the upper control arm bracket I decided enough was enough. These simply do not fit my Gladiator. Maybe Carlos took the bracket jig out of the frame assembly line to save money and mine were just eyeballed. IDK. Has anyone else had to butcher the UCA bracket to get these to fit?

I dunno man, mine went right in.

 

[500hp03]

The upper boxed in part of the bracket angle does not align with the CA bracket. This causes the bracket to not go completely in place making the bolt holes not align by alot at first but after I stared shaving the Jeep bracket down it got closer to being aligned. But I am not cutting anymore. These jus simply do not fit my Jeep. They are close, but close isnt going to cut it. Pun intended. Also it is not possible to put these on the wrong side of the Jeep. @disciple I think my entire Gladiator is a 5pm one of a kind.

 

[jeeeep]

The upper boxed in part of the bracket angle does not align with the CA bracket. This causes the bracket to not go completely in place making the bolt holes not align by alot at first but after I stared shaving the Jeep bracket down it got closer to being aligned. But I am not cutting anymore. These jus simply do not fit my Jeep. They are close, but close isnt going to cut it. Pun intended. Also it is not possible to put these on the wrong side of the Jeep. @disciple I think my entire Gladiator is a 5pm one of a kind.

View attachment 418499View attachment 418500

looks like you're trying to install it orientated on the wrong end.
The video should help

 

[500hp03]

I can assure everyone that these are not being put in backwards or on the wrong side. Here is a screen grab from Eddie’s video that I have watched many times. I highlighted the spot where his clear and mine interfere with the UCA bracket. His actually has an air gap. I am asking the forum for help from anyone who has had this issue and not so much those who have had them go in with no issues. Something is wrong, either it’s the Jeep or the brackets.

 

[Ddays]

A pic of yours may help