Clayton Off Road Front Long Arm Upgrade Kit | Bolt-Then-Weld 3-Piece Crossmember | Removable Center Section | Currie Johnny Joints | GIIRO Bushings | 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ | SKU: COR-4801011
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Before ordering, verify your vehicle details, current setup, and SKU with OFAS fitment support so your upgrade matches your build.
Shipping & Delivery
Free shipping is available within the lower 48 U.S. states. Large or heavy items may ship by freight, and delivery timing can vary by warehouse, carrier, and product availability.
Fitment, Shipping & Product Support
Verified Fitment
This kit fits the 1984 through 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ in all trims. It is a complete front-half long arm upgrade kit with a 3-piece crossmember that bolts to the OEM location for alignment before welding — no precision measuring required during crossmember positioning. No minimum lift height is required for this standard 4-link long arm kit..
| Year Range | Make | Model | Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–2001 | Jeep | Cherokee XJ | All trims | Crossmember welding required — bolt to OEM location first for alignment, then weld |
Before ordering — confirm two items:
- Vehicle is a 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ — not a Grand Cherokee ZJ/WJ/WK or Wrangler
- A certified welder is available for the crossmember weld-out after OEM bolt alignment
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Does NOT Fit
| Exclusion | Reason | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ (1993–1998) | Different front suspension architecture | COR-4804341 or COR-4804041 for ZJ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999–2004) | Different front suspension architecture | Not applicable |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee WK (2005–2010) | Different front suspension architecture | Not applicable |
| Jeep Wrangler TJ / LJ / JK / JL | Different platform and front suspension architecture | See platform-specific long arm systems |
| Jeep Gladiator JT | Different front suspension architecture | Not applicable |
| Buyers without a certified welder | The 3-piece crossmember must be welded in place after initial bolt alignment — tack welds or bolt-in only are not acceptable for a permanent, load-bearing crossmember | Not applicable |
Verify fitment by text: (469) 407-7538
Component Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part number | COR-4801011 |
| Application | Front long arm upgrade kit — front-half system; 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ |
| Crossmember | 3-piece — bolts to OEM crossmember location for alignment, then welds for permanent installation; center section removable for drivetrain service without removing suspension components |
| Control arms | Upper and lower adjustable — geometry tuning for caster and arm length |
| Frame-end joint | Currie Johnny Joint — 40° movement, Tough 88 urethane casing, shock-absorbing, NVH-isolating |
| Axle-end joint | GIIRO bushing — pressed into 5/16" thick housing; free-pivoting; self-lubricating; self-centering; maintenance-free |
| Installation | Crossmember welding required after OEM bolt alignment — no measurement required for positioning |
| Center section | Removable — allows drivetrain service without removing suspension components after weld-out |
| Pro Series 3-link upgrade | COR-4801513 — front 3-link kit; minimum 6.5" of lift required; no additional crossmember needed |
| Warranty | Lifetime — all control arms |
| Unit weight | 32 lb |
| Shipping dimensions | 28" × 8" × 8" |
What Is and Is NOT Included
Included:
| Component |
|---|
| 3-piece crossmember (bolt-then-weld; removable center section) |
| Upper adjustable control arms (pair) with Currie Johnny Joint frame ends and GIIRO axle-end bushings |
| Lower adjustable control arms (pair) with Currie Johnny Joint frame ends and GIIRO axle-end bushings |
| Hardware per Clayton specification |
Not Included:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Professional welding labor | Certified welder required for crossmember weld-out — not included |
| COR-4801513 3-link upgrade components | If upgrading to 3-link front geometry later, see COR-4801513. That kit requires a minimum of 6.5" of lift and has its own weld-on frame brackets — confirm compatibility with the crossmember installed by this kit before ordering COR-4801513 as an add-on. Text (469) 407-7538. |
Critical Compatibility
| Condition | Interaction | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Crossmember installation — bolt first, then weld | The 3-piece crossmember uses the OEM crossmember bolt holes for precise positioning before welding. Bolt the crossmember into the OEM location and confirm alignment before applying any welds. Do not weld before confirming alignment — the OEM bolt locations are the positioning reference. After alignment is confirmed, weld the crossmember per Clayton's instructions. | Follow Clayton's installation sequence: bolt to OEM location first, confirm alignment, then weld. |
| Removable center section — service access | After the crossmember is welded in place, the center section can be removed for drivetrain service. This means the transmission, transfer case, or related drivetrain components can be serviced without removing the front suspension control arms or crossmember outer sections. | No action required — this is a design benefit. Retain the center section hardware for future drivetrain service. |
| Full weld-out required | The crossmember must receive a full weld-out — not just tack welds. Tack welds only are not sufficient for a load-bearing front suspension crossmember under long arm geometry loads. | Full-penetration welds on all crossmember-to-frame contact surfaces after alignment is confirmed. |
| Upgrade path to COR-4801513 | COR-4801513 is the XJ Pro Series 3-link front upgrade requiring a minimum 6.5" of lift. Its weld-on front frame brackets and 3-link upper arm mount are added to an existing long arm setup — confirm compatibility with the crossmember from this kit before ordering COR-4801513 as a future upgrade. | Text (469) 407-7538 to confirm the correct upgrade sequence before ordering COR-4801513. |
| Front alignment — mandatory | Long arm front conversion changes caster, camber, and toe. Full front alignment is mandatory before highway driving. | Schedule alignment immediately after installation. |
Installation Notes
Skill level: Advanced. Welding required for crossmember — but the OEM bolt alignment feature removes the precision measuring step that makes weld-in crossmembers difficult for shops without extensive experience. A qualified shop with XJ front suspension experience is recommended.
Step 1 — Crossmember bolt alignment:
- Bolt the 3-piece crossmember into the OEM crossmember bolt hole locations per Clayton's installation instructions.
- Confirm alignment before applying any welds. The OEM bolt holes provide the positioning reference — do not weld until alignment is confirmed.
Step 2 — Crossmember weld-out:
- Weld the crossmember in place with full-penetration welds on all contact surfaces.
- Apply weld-through primer and chassis paint to all bare metal at weld zones.
- Note: the center section remains removable after weld-out — retain center section hardware for future drivetrain service.
Step 3 — Control arm installation:
- Install the upper and lower adjustable control arms at initial length per Clayton's geometry specifications for your lift height.
Step 4 — Geometry setting:
- Set caster and pinion angle with the vehicle at static ride height.
- Torque all control arm hardware at ride height — not at full droop or compression.
Step 5 — Alignment:
- Complete full front alignment — caster and toe.
- Verify suspension travel clearance at full droop and full compression for your specific tire size.
Required tools (qualified shop):
| Tool | Required |
|---|---|
| Vehicle lift rated for XJ | Yes |
| Certified welder | Yes — crossmember weld-out after OEM bolt alignment |
| Weld-through primer and chassis paint | Yes |
| Torque wrench | Yes |
| Geometry setting equipment | Yes |
| Alignment equipment or appointment | Yes |
Common Questions
What is the advantage of the 3-piece bolt-then-weld crossmember?
Two advantages. First, positioning: the OEM bolt holes locate the crossmember in the correct position before any welding begins — no precise measurement required during installation. The crossmember goes where the factory crossmember went, confirmed by the OEM bolt pattern, and then gets welded for permanent strength. Second, serviceability: the center section of the crossmember is removable after weld-out. If drivetrain service is needed on the transmission, transfer case, or related components, the center section comes out without removing the control arms or the welded outer sections.
What is the difference between this and COR-4801513 (XJ 3-link kit)?
Geometry type, lift requirement, and installation complexity. COR-4801513 is the Pro Series 3-link front upgrade — it adds weld-on front frame brackets and a single upper 3-link arm for maximum front axle articulation, and requires a minimum of 6.5" of lift for upper arm floor clearance. COR-4801011 (this kit) is the standard 4-link long arm system — it includes the 3-piece crossmember and adjustable upper and lower arms, has no minimum lift requirement beyond general long arm geometry benefit, and does not require the upper arm floor clearance that makes 6.5" mandatory for the 3-link kit.
Can I upgrade to 3-link geometry later if I start with this kit?
COR-4801513 is the 3-link upgrade path — but confirm compatibility with the crossmember from this kit before ordering. Text (469) 407-7538 and OFAS will confirm whether the COR-4801513 brackets and 3-link arm are compatible with the crossmember installed by COR-4801011 before your order ships.
Does this require exhaust modifications?
The source documentation for this kit does not list exhaust modification as a requirement — unlike the ZJ Pro Series 3-link kit (COR-4804341). The standard 4-link long arm geometry on the XJ does not create the specific upper arm exhaust routing conflict that drives the custom exhaust requirement in the 3-link kits.
What is the warranty?
Clayton Off Road provides a lifetime warranty on all control arms in this kit — upper and lower. Confirm full terms at claytonoffroad.com/pages/warranty-policy.
The Obsidian Take
This kit is for the 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ owner who wants to replace the short arm front geometry with a complete long arm system and values a crossmember installation process that removes the guesswork. The 3-piece bolt-then-weld crossmember design is the feature that defines this kit's usability: bolt to the OEM location, confirm alignment, weld. The OEM bolt holes do the positioning work. The removable center section means that once it is welded in, drivetrain service does not require disassembling the front suspension.
The Currie Johnny Joints and GIIRO bushings — now confirmed with the 5/16" thick housing and self-lubricating specification — are the correct joint spec for an XJ build that splits time between road and trail.
The distinction from COR-4801513 is geometry type and lift requirement. COR-4801513 delivers 3-link front geometry at the cost of a 6.5" minimum lift gate, weld-on upper arm brackets with a mandatory sequence, and no included crossmember. COR-4801011 delivers a meaningful long arm front geometry upgrade at any lift height where a standard 4-link long arm provides benefit, with an included crossmember that positions itself before welding.
It is not for the Grand Cherokee or Wrangler platforms. And the upgrade path to 3-link geometry should be confirmed with OFAS before ordering COR-4801513 on top of this kit.
Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Product specifications and fitment data are sourced from Clayton Off Road product documentation and authorized product information. Actual product dimensions, fitment details, crossmember design, and geometry specifications may vary by specific vehicle configuration, lift height, and manufacturer updates. Confirm all build requirements with Clayton or OFAS before ordering.
Non-Returnable Notice
Suspension components are non-returnable once installed. The crossmember in this kit requires permanent welding to the XJ frame after OEM bolt alignment. Confirm vehicle identity (1984–2001 Cherokee XJ only — not Grand Cherokee ZJ/WJ/WK or Wrangler), access to a certified welder, and upgrade path goals (if 3-link geometry is planned, confirm compatibility before ordering COR-4801513). Text (469) 407-7538 with any fitment or build questions before your order is placed.