JKU Sport- Suspension seems 'soft' when hauling all my gear. How do I stiffen it up?
- Thread starter j33p3rscr33p3rs
- Start date
Da10a, they will still drop some with weight added. he's not talking about empty sag. My stock 18/59s have 165k on them and they have not sagged either empty, but they drop about .5" when I have a heavy load, and more when my pop up is attached so the air bags would be the best bet.
The air suspension on the disco is a very different animal than the airbags we are talking about. The air springs on the disco is it's only spring source. The ones we are talking about go inside the coil to "help" carry the weight instead of the only spring carrying the weight.
OCD Overland
Explorer
The advice here is going in all directions. If the vehicle is feeling bouncy, then you've overloaded the springs - fixing anything else may mask the problem to an extent, but even if it does it would only be a band aid solution. On a vehicle with progressive rate springs, the ride will get rougher as you load it up to a point - the load will compress the weaker portion of the spring so that the vehicle doesn't have the same 'float' that you're used to. After that point though, you'll then overload the main portion of the spring and the ride will become soft and bouncy. That's where you are. Two ways to fix this - different springs or air bags. If loading the jeep down is an occasional thing, then the air bags may be the way to go, since they won't affect your day to day drive. If you're going to be doing this a lot, however, then definitely look at stiffer springs. The best way to get the right springs, imo, is to load up the jeep and then go get it weighed. Then you can call OME, tell them the load, and they'll fix you up with the right springs for your use.
A lift would exacerbate the problem - any benefit you might get from it would be incidental to the lift itself; i.e., stiffer springs. However, if you move the weight higher you're just making the problem worse. If you want a lift for other reasons, then sure, kill two birds with one stone, but be realistic that the lift is actually working against the load problem.
Stiffer shocks or adjustable shocks might mask the problem but you're only fixing the rate of compression, not the amount. And you'd transfer force to the shocks and mounts that probably hasn't been designed in - probably O.K., but why not fix the problem itself? You may find though that you'd prefer adjustable shocks to go along with the new springs/air bags.
Related to the above, you're also likely feeling some added sway - the rear anti-sway bar on the wrangler is pretty weak. If you can find one (IF), then a stiffer sway bar would help as well.
The problem with fixing load-related problems on a jeep is that you're swimming upstream against what most of the after market is pushing. 98% of the wrangler after market I'm convinced is off-road bling with engineering an afterthought, if it's given any thought at all. That's why I recommend going with OME - they've got a lot of experience that goes beyond just making jeeps taller.
A lift would exacerbate the problem - any benefit you might get from it would be incidental to the lift itself; i.e., stiffer springs. However, if you move the weight higher you're just making the problem worse. If you want a lift for other reasons, then sure, kill two birds with one stone, but be realistic that the lift is actually working against the load problem.
Stiffer shocks or adjustable shocks might mask the problem but you're only fixing the rate of compression, not the amount. And you'd transfer force to the shocks and mounts that probably hasn't been designed in - probably O.K., but why not fix the problem itself? You may find though that you'd prefer adjustable shocks to go along with the new springs/air bags.
Related to the above, you're also likely feeling some added sway - the rear anti-sway bar on the wrangler is pretty weak. If you can find one (IF), then a stiffer sway bar would help as well.
The problem with fixing load-related problems on a jeep is that you're swimming upstream against what most of the after market is pushing. 98% of the wrangler after market I'm convinced is off-road bling with engineering an afterthought, if it's given any thought at all. That's why I recommend going with OME - they've got a lot of experience that goes beyond just making jeeps taller.
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That's why I recommended the airbags on the stock springs, you can add a small lift, leveling kit etc like I have, 2", USE the air bags when needed, but a lot of the time if your unloaded then the stiffer springs will ride rough. I think my setup hits all the buttons for me, A small lift, makes the jeep have a little more daylight underneath, I have 285s, The Monroe reflex sshocks control the body and suspension Much better than either the black or red shocks that come on the JEEPs, then with the airbags, I can carry the loads I want, and still have proper spring rate either loaded or empty.
Nothing super expensive, but it works like a charm, If you blow a bag, you just get another. My dealer always have them in stock.
Nothing super expensive, but it works like a charm, If you blow a bag, you just get another. My dealer always have them in stock.
j33p3rscr33p3rs
New member
Sorry for the delay in responding to all the advice. Been away from the computer!
I appreciate your breakdown for me OCD Overland. That was really clear and concise. Tom, thank you as well. I am not bottoming out. It would appear based on your statement my shocks are okay... I mean, they are probably not ideal, but not the major concern at the moment.
It looks like maybe airbags, or if I can swing it, new coils. Does OME make coils that do not lift the Jeep? I guess this may go in a different direction, but with lifts under 2" I do not need to worry about ay correction problems? Just some sway bar links? It seems most coil upgrades are at least a 1" lift if not 2". Also, a lot of them are leveling kits too- which is just silly considering my situation!
So true that the aftermarket is all extreme offroad. Really a shame. I really think Jeep missed the boat with the 4 door. They should have dedicated a bit more thought to it and took the 4 door in the expedition direction and left the extreme offroad hype to the 2 door crowd. Imagine if they offered the 4 door jeep with a proper back seat that when collapsed made a flat even bed like the XTerra? Or with an optional REAL cab/roof so it could have an integrated roof rack and we wouldn't have to pay thousands for a bunch of welded poles?! Sorry. Rant over now...
I appreciate your breakdown for me OCD Overland. That was really clear and concise. Tom, thank you as well. I am not bottoming out. It would appear based on your statement my shocks are okay... I mean, they are probably not ideal, but not the major concern at the moment.
It looks like maybe airbags, or if I can swing it, new coils. Does OME make coils that do not lift the Jeep? I guess this may go in a different direction, but with lifts under 2" I do not need to worry about ay correction problems? Just some sway bar links? It seems most coil upgrades are at least a 1" lift if not 2". Also, a lot of them are leveling kits too- which is just silly considering my situation!
So true that the aftermarket is all extreme offroad. Really a shame. I really think Jeep missed the boat with the 4 door. They should have dedicated a bit more thought to it and took the 4 door in the expedition direction and left the extreme offroad hype to the 2 door crowd. Imagine if they offered the 4 door jeep with a proper back seat that when collapsed made a flat even bed like the XTerra? Or with an optional REAL cab/roof so it could have an integrated roof rack and we wouldn't have to pay thousands for a bunch of welded poles?! Sorry. Rant over now...
OME does not make zero lift springs I would guess airbags are the best solution. My leveling kit does not really level. My rear is actually 1" higher than the front with all spacers installed. I think airbags are the best solution. Also, if your still on stock shocks, grab a set of Monroe reflex monotubes. They are stiffer than stock, but not as stiff as bilstiens. they are the perfect compromise for a daily driven low lift JKU.
I am using teraflex spacer leveling kit. but I still sit higher in the back than the front with all spacers installed. there is less rake than stock, but more than level. Its close to the AEV spacer lift. I run Monroe reflex monotube shocks, and when I get back from florida, im down here now on vactation, I am finally installing my airbags in the rear. I have a full game plan now for them.
RubiconGeoff
Adventurer
Do the airbags affect suspension travel/articulation? And how do they deal with taller lifted springs versus OEM-height springs?
j33p3rscr33p3rs
New member
Good question.
expedition4x4
Explorer
taller lifted springs require taller airbags...
I have them installed in my AEV 3.5" springs and no issues yet but would prefer to go the OME HD route with JK ACOS for extra lift.
I have them installed in my AEV 3.5" springs and no issues yet but would prefer to go the OME HD route with JK ACOS for extra lift.