Suggestions on suspension tweaks for overlanding in my Mojave

[Logan94605]

I have a stock 2020 Mojave that I love. The suspension has served me well on city streets as well as back roads from Tahoe to The Grand Canyon. I use my truck as a truck and I've hauled a ton of lumber high on the rack as well as 900+ lbs of concrete and gravel in the back so I know the limitations. This spring I'm adding a roof top tent on top of a Diamondback/Yakima situation and plan some overlanding trips North and East.

I did a test run to Big Sur this past week with the tent and a full load. My best estimate on the load is round 950lbs total. I have to say that it was ok on the highway, I got about 18 mpg but it was pretty spongy on the rough dirt trails and surprise woops and dips.

I want to stiffen things up but not on a permanent basis like heavier springs. Should I be looking at adjustable shocks, bigger bump stops (Sumo or Timberen) or the Air Lift load assist things?

I appreciate any experience you may have.

BTW I'm running stock 33s and will probably go up to 35 when these wear out but no bigger so I'm not looking for a full lift just to reduce the sag and sway.

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[Splenda]

Good questions and I'm interested in hearing what the experts have to say.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Changing out air bumps to sumo springs would be a downgrade. A stiffer spring is really what you need in my experience. Clayton 1.5" overland springs wouldn't lift the mojave much at all and would cure the sag and sway. That's a small enough change to pass for stock and not require any other parts. Getting rid of the super soft factory springs not only improved handling on my mojave, but I'm not into the bump stops up front in every dip or whoop any more. I went to full 3.5" metalcloak springs and 37s but in my opinion the factory springs are too soft even at stock height.

 

[Splenda]

How do the Metalcloak 3.5" springs compare to the RockJock 3.50-Inch Front and Rear Lift Coil Springs?

 

[Zachanadandy]

How do the Metalcloak 3.5" springs compare to the RockJock 3.50-Inch Front and Rear Lift Coil Springs?

I haven't run both but I'd guess they are very similar in height and ride by looking at them.

 

[zxd9]

I did air bags on my loaded up Mojave. It helps with sag but overall it doesn't ride as well as it did. It did get us thru the Alpine Loop, Rim Rocker and White Rim a couple years ago. At about 70k miles I upgraded to Clayton 2.5" Overland + and it handles the weight very well and gives me a lift as well.

 

[Logan94605]

Changing out air bumps to sumo springs would be a downgrade. A stiffer spring is really what you need in my experience. Clayton 1.5" overland springs wouldn't lift the mojave much at all and would cure the sag and sway. That's a small enough change to pass for stock and not require any other parts. Getting rid of the super soft factory springs not only improved handling on my mojave, but I'm not into the bump stops up front in every dip or whoop any more. I went to full 3.5" metalcloak springs and 37s but in my opinion the factory springs are too soft even at stock height.

Thanks for the insight...

I was afraid changing the springs would ruin the ride when the truck is stripped down. Theoretically I'm usually running the diamondback and Yakima on top with an everyday load around 175lb, so that might work.

I'll have to do some research on the Clayton's.

I've got almost 30k on my Fox's and they're getting that creaking sound on cold days. Do you have recommendations for a replacement that would be close to stock and pair with the springs!

 

[Logan94605]

I did air bags on my loaded up Mojave. It helps with sag but overall it doesn't ride as well as it did. It did get us thru the Alpine Loop, Rim Rocker and White Rim a couple years ago. At about 70k miles I upgraded to Clayton 2.5" Overland + and it handles the weight very well and gives me a lift as well.

Definitely looking at the Clayton's. Thanks

 

[BearFootSam]

I have a stock 2020 Mojave that I love. The suspension has served me well on city streets as well as back roads from Tahoe to The Grand Canyon. I use my truck as a truck and I've hauled a ton of lumber high on the rack as well as 900+ lbs of concrete and gravel in the back so I know the limitations. This spring I'm adding a roof top tent on top of a Diamondback/Yakima situation and plan some overlanding trips North and East.

I did a test run to Big Sur this past week with the tent and a full load. My best estimate on the load is round 950lbs total. I have to say that it was ok on the highway, I got about 18 mpg but it was pretty spongy on the rough dirt trails and surprise woops and dips.

I want to stiffen things up but not on a permanent basis like heavier springs. Should I be looking at adjustable shocks, bigger bump stops (Sumo or Timberen) or the Air Lift load assist things?

I appreciate any experience you may have.

BTW I'm running stock 33s and will probably go up to 35 when these wear out but no bigger so I'm not looking for a full lift just to reduce the sag and sway.

How many miles?

I ask because while it’s a slightly different beast, my 22’ Rubi needs new shocks at 36k miles. They’re getting bouncy and ride is declining. I’m not particularly disappointed since we haul, tow and drive off-road every week.

I’ve got a set of Falcon adjustable shocks and triple rate springs in the barn waiting for weather to install. After a trip last summer with a full bed, rack and RTT I felt heavier springs would be beneficial with a constant load. If you’re shocks are worn it might be a good time to do your springs too and order a set of higher quality.

 

[Logan94605]

How many miles?

I ask because while it’s a slightly different beast, my 22’ Rubi needs new shocks at 36k miles. They’re getting bouncy and ride is declining. I’m not particularly disappointed since we haul, tow and drive off-road every week.

I’ve got a set of Falcon adjustable shocks and triple rate springs in the barn waiting for weather to install. After a trip last summer with a full bed, rack and RTT I felt heavier springs would be beneficial with a constant load. If you’re shocks are worn it might be a good time to do your springs too and order a set of higher quality.

I'm not quite there yet but I feel its coming. I was in Arizona during Christmas and it was the first time I experienced the groaning Fox Shocks at 28k miles. It was 22 degrees, but today I completely stripped down the bed and the groaning came back and it's 72 deg and sunny in Northern California. I'm so torn on the quick fix (Airbags) for the summer or the full monty springs and shocks. I don't have a lift... Did you have to upgrade other components other than just the springs? Clayton wants to sell me a complete lift kit. $$$$

 

[Logan94605]

I did air bags on my loaded up Mojave. It helps with sag but overall it doesn't ride as well as it did. It did get us thru the Alpine Loop, Rim Rocker and White Rim a couple years ago. At about 70k miles I upgraded to Clayton 2.5" Overland + and it handles the weight very well and gives me a lift as well.

Well I went with the airbags for now anyway. It was a reasonable expense and if it gets me through the summer and into the fall I'm good. The shop recommended the firestone and I have to agree they seem a bit more robust than the airlift bags. Time will tell.

Right now I'm trying to dial them in. I hauled about 900lb of dirt and inflated them to 50lb. It was stiff as hell but definitely not swaying as much as without the bags. The guidance from firestone it to inflate the bags after the load whereas airlift says before loading (I think). It seemed like airing up after loading didn't raise it like it did before loading.

What's your experience with inflating before or after loading..... Anybody?

 

[Blade1668]

Well I went with the airbags for now anyway. It was a reasonable expense and if it gets me through the summer and into the fall I'm good. The shop recommended the firestone and I have to agree they seem a bit more robust than the airlift bags. Time will tell.

Right now I'm trying to dial them in. I hauled about 900lb of dirt and inflated them to 50lb. It was stiff as hell but definitely not swaying as much as without the bags. The guidance from firestone it to inflate the bags after the load whereas airlift says before loading (I think). It seemed like airing up after loading didn't raise it like it did before loading.

What's your experience with inflating before or after loading..... Anybody?

I've got the Air-Lift kit, I try to unload the suspension and set pressure. From my experience the "kit" from them for a Gladiator isn't the right one for mine but with a call and talking with one of their guys. Doing measurements back n forth a different kit is what I need and HD for the Dodge PU kit??? The JT kit is to short of bags for mine.
The Firestone kit looked to be a better one in hindsight. But when I replace the current set it will be the HD kit likely Air-Lift from other past experience with them.

 

[Logan94605]

I've got the Air-Lift kit, I try to unload the suspension and set pressure. From my experience the "kit" from them for a Gladiator isn't the right one for mine but with a call and talking with one of their guys. Doing measurements back n forth a different kit is what I need and HD for the Dodge PU kit??? The JT kit is to short of bags for mine.
The Firestone kit looked to be a better one in hindsight. But when I replace the current set it will be the HD kit likely Air-Lift from other past experience with them.

I've been doing some experimenting and everything online says air up after loading and it makes sense... Kinda.

The logic is you want the suspension to take some of the load and not all on the airbags. I hauled two loads of decomposed granite at pretty much payload capacity. One I inflated to 50 lb after loading the other at about 3/4 of the load I inflated then top off the load.

I didn't notice a difference. They were both solid as a rock with plenty of space with between the bump stops and a noticeable reduction in sway.

It's not something I like the feel of on a daily basis, but on short overlanding/hauling runs it will work for now. Especially because I can air down and be back to my normal smooth ride when I want to.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

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