Tippy JK with RTT and rack, need professional advice!

[Hilldweller]

Teraflex swaybars and a full-on OME-Heavy lift. Wheels with 4.5" bs, 33s, sleeve/gusset the front axle.
Replace anything worn up front.
Synergy has some neat little springs if you don't want to gain the altitude, just add fenders/wheels/tires.


BTW, for that much weight, I wouldn't be looking at AEV lifts. OME, Teraflex, Metalcloak, Synergy, Rock Krawler.
I don't like "progressive" springs for what we do.

 

[jacobconroy]

Thanks MoGuy. Good infos.

HillDweller, you bring up an interesting point. I had it stuck in my head that progressive rate coils are better for weight and road manners. If that isn't true, then I have a lot more options to investigate.

Everyone I talk to locally brings up OME. Hmmmmmm. I'm also interested in MetalCloak, because I plan to purchase their fenders.

Another though: Is there an option to beef up the suspension without lifting the Jeep? I'm not worries about cost...just want to keep COG down. Dragging the belly won't be an issue for me, and MetalCloak overlanders would allow me to install 35s with the proper backspacing. I think. I'm sortof leaning toward a very thin 34 for tires.

Again, invaluable insights. Thank you gentlemen.

 

[MOguy]

Thanks MoGuy. Good infos.

HillDweller, you bring up an interesting point. I had it stuck in my head that progressive rate coils are better for weight and road manners. If that isn't true, then I have a lot more options to investigate.

Everyone I talk to locally brings up OME. Hmmmmmm. I'm also interested in MetalCloak, because I plan to purchase their fenders.

Another though: Is there an option to beef up the suspension without lifting the Jeep? I'm not worries about cost...just want to keep COG down. Dragging the belly won't be an issue for me, and MetalCloak overlanders would allow me to install 35s with the proper backspacing. I think. I'm sortof leaning toward a very thin 34 for tires.

Again, invaluable insights. Thank you gentlemen.

You don't change your suspension to accomplish this, you just pack different. Heavier suspension will help you carry wait better but it won't change your center of gravity. If you are over loaded you are overloaded. If you are top heavy you are top heavy you.

In your example above (post #12) you talk about an over night trip, how much crap do you need to spend the night away from home?

 

[Hilldweller]

....

Another though: Is there an option to beef up the suspension without lifting the Jeep? ...

Synergy springs would probably do it.
http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Jeep-JK-Rear-Lift-Coil-Springs-p-16405.html
Call them and talk. It's what they do...

 

[jacobconroy]

Cool. I'll check out Synergy as well. The other day I was reading about their ball joints.

The Front Runner table arrived today. It's ridiculously expensive for what it is...but the mounting system is great. Also, I looked up the manta awning again and it's 50 lbs. as Rino stated, not 150. So, the RTT is 130, the rack is 90 (I think, can't find any info that's concrete and I'm sure not going to take it off just to weigh it), 30 for the table, 50 for the awning.....maybe an axe bracket and a light mount. I guess is that I will have added a total about 300 lbs to the roof. Sheesh. One of the bonuses to the Front Runner rack is that I can remove the hard top and put the rack back on (just remembered this last night). This might be the solution (or at least some help) to COG issues. I'm normally topless from March to October every year so little will change.

I took it out to hit 70 mph this afternoon. Gonna have to live with it. I really hope that the added weight of an ARB fridge, a drawer or two, and a small pile of sundry items in the rear and some real bumpers will help to lower COG. My hope for a magical suspension fix is dwindling but I will put something a bit more beefy underneath at some point. Definitely going to put in a sway bar.

IMO, the items above aren't unnecessary "crap" (with the possible exception of the RTT). These things represent the bare minimum for car camping. If I had a larger rig it wouldn't be a problem. Years of ultralight backpacking have taught me that I just prefer to be comfortable. Expensive hammocks, ultralight tents, etc. all have one common factor for me. I get no sleep. The RTT is very comfortable and trailers/campers suck.

Looks like I'm gonna have to sacrifice ride quality for that preference. That, and staying around 65 mph. Thanks so much for the help Yall.

 

[MOguy]

Cool. I'll check out Synergy as well. The other day I was reading about their ball joints.

The Front Runner table arrived today. It's ridiculously expensive for what it is...but the mounting system is great. Also, I looked up the manta awning again and it's 50 lbs. as Rino stated, not 150. So, the RTT is 130, the rack is 90 (I think, can't find any info that's concrete and I'm sure not going to take it off just to weigh it), 30 for the table, 50 for the awning.....maybe an axe bracket and a light mount. I guess is that I will have added a total about 300 lbs to the roof. Sheesh. One of the bonuses to the Front Runner rack is that I can remove the hard top and put the rack back on (just remembered this last night). This might be the solution (or at least some help) to COG issues. I'm normally topless from March to October every year so little will change.

I took it out to hit 70 mph this afternoon. Gonna have to live with it. I really hope that the added weight of an ARB fridge, a drawer or two, and a small pile of sundry items in the rear and some real bumpers will help to lower COG. My hope for a magical suspension fix is dwindling but I will put something a bit more beefy underneath at some point. Definitely going to put in a sway bar?

IMO, the items above aren't unnecessary "crap" (with the possible exception of the RTT). These things represent the bare minimum for car camping. If I had a larger rig it wouldn't be a problem. Years of ultralight backpacking have taught me that I just prefer to be comfortable. Expensive hammocks, ultralight tents, etc. all have one common factor for me. I get no sleep. The RTT is very comfortable and trailers/campers suck.

Looks like I'm gonna have to sacrifice ride quality for that preference. That, and staying around 65 mph. Thanks so much for the help Yall.

this post has to be some sort of joke.

 

[jacobconroy]

Alright. Bait accepted.

MOguy, you are a jerk. I don't want to talk to you, and will not do so again.

Please feel free to post any rude, condescending, and unproductive posts in this thread that you'd like to. However, they will receive no response from me.

As for the rest of you, the ideas and thoughts you have offered have been helpful. Thank you.

 

[MOguy]

Alright. Bait accepted.

MOguy, you are a jerk. I don't want to talk to you, and will not do so again.

Please feel free to post any rude, condescending, and unproductive posts in this thread that you'd like to. However, they will receive no response from me.

As for the rest of you, the ideas and thoughts you have offered have been helpful. Thank you.

I am a jerk? You have purposely created and drive a vehicle on the highway that is unsafe to you, your family and anybody around you.

 

[jacobconroy]

I don't want this thread to head towards..."that place". If I have been rude I apologize.

Obviously a new guy that hasen't posted much, and would very much like to continue the original discussion. Please don't think I'm evil just because I'm new. My hope is to find a community that will share their collective knowledge with me when it comes to modifying Jeeps for overland purposes. Only so much money in these pockets and I can't afford to spend it twice.

 

[SSF556]

I am a jerk? You have purposely created and drive a vehicle on the highway that is unsafe to you, your family and anybody around you.

Dude.

 

[MOguy]

I don't want this thread to head towards..."that place". If I have been rude I apologize.

Obviously a new guy that hasen't posted much, and would very much like to continue the original discussion. Please don't think I'm evil just because I'm new. My hope is to find a community that will share their collective knowledge with me when it comes to modifying Jeeps for overland purposes. Only so much money in these pockets and I can't afford to spend it twice.

You asked for advice, mine is if you plan to drive at highway speeds make your vehicle safe to do so. Shouldn't safety be some where close to the top of the list or at least somewhere on it?

 

[Ryanmb21]

If I were you, I unload the roof. 200lb+ roof load seems excessive.

 

[SSF556]

If I were you, I unload the roof. 200lb+ roof load seems excessive.

I agree...but you know there is a certain Toyota 4Runner being sold on this site and being pushed by site staff that is easily carrying 300 pounds on the roof. Nobody is beating up the 4Runner owner for having an unsafe vehicle. The OP is doing the right thing and asking for advice and we are giving him some...but the whole unsafe on public roads is a tad over the top.

 

[MOguy]

I agree...but you know there is a certain Toyota 4Runner being sold on this site and being pushed by site staff that is easily carrying 300 pounds on the roof. Nobody is beating up the 4Runner owner for having an unsafe vehicle. The OP is doing the right thing and asking for advice and we are giving him some...but the whole unsafe on public roads is a tad over the top.

Building a safe vehicle is not a tad ovef the top.

I have a 4Runner and a Jeep. I can tow a camper trailer with my 4Runner I wouldn't tow with my Jeep either. I can load more into or on the 4Runner than the Jeep.

The 4Runner is a better vehicle for building up for carrying weight. The Wrangler is a better vehicle to build for off roading. That doesn't mean the Jeep can't carry some weight or the 4Runner can't be used off road. They each have their limitations and what they accel at.

BUT if the 4Runner is built so it has become unsafe to drive on the highway you would be wrong to drive it on the highway. That is just how I feel. If someone is of the opinion that building and driving a vehicle that is so un-safe you have issues driving the legal speed limit is ok, that is their opinion , I will disagree with them and tell them if they are asking for advice.

If you post on the World Wide Web to a public forum and ask for people's advice don't get bent out of shape if somebody tells you something you don't want to hear.

 

[expedition4x4]

I had a gobi rack and a cvt hardshell tent and the top heavyness was terrible I had AEV springs and wound up running air bags in them until I could swap out the springs and shocks to OME
get a hellwig bar for sure, look into the OME heavies as well I have 660lb rears and 330 lb fronts and swapped all the rooftop stuff out for my ursa minor j30 and that has been a great weight redux

and everyone please remember this isn't Pirate? the guy is asking for assistance not judgement.