Stock Height Suspension Upgrade for JTR

[BlackDog]

I'm a bit of an odd duck as I'd like to upgrade my coils/springs (maybe shocks, too) without adding height that would require me to also upgrade things like sway bars, end links, track bars, etc.

I tow a trailer and use a weight distribution hitch (WDH), so no issues with rear sag. I also have 35" tires. The stock springs are just too soft for me. I've even worn out my stock set already and had them replaced under warranty. When I'm not towing or going to the grocery store, I'm wheeling. All that to say I'm looking for a suspension upgrade to help with the soft and bouncy road ride the Rubicon gives me while not losing any capabilities when off-road.

Synergy and Clayton seem to have some multi-rate spring options for 1-2" additional lift that sound good, but that makes me start to think about other required upgrades to account for geometry. I've emailed them both for their advice but thought I'd post here and see if anyone had suggestions or experience with a similar situation and how you addressed it. Thanks.

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[NC_Overland]

I’d start with quality shocks if you don’t want any lift.

 

[Rusty PW]

Stock Rubi shocks are valved on the soft side. Need to go with something like the Bilstein 5100's. I hated my stock Rubi shocks. Can't even give them away. Everyone bitches about them.

 

[montechie]

I also found the stock Rubi shocks too soft/under dampened. I replaced them with the mid-tier Falcon SP2 2.1s and it made a big difference on the unsettling highway bounce.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I hated my stock Rubi shocks. Can't even give them away.

Rats, and I was hoping you'd be interested in the full set of Fox Rubicon take-offs I have here. Oh, well.

Depending on the weight of your JT - you may not get a heck of a lot of lift out of the Synergy 1" springs. I had them under my Overland with steel bumper and winch and didn't get a full inch lift. It was a slightly firmer ride over the stock springs.
I really like the Synergy springs. Already sold the 2" pair of fronts I had, have a 1" front pair left to sell since the dealer wanted my 2022 put back to full stock before I traded it to them for my 25 JTMX

The inch ratings of the Synergy springs are based on a JL/JLU and you just don't get the full amount of lift with a Gladiator with steel and winch on the front.
That's ok, though, I used them to help when I had the snow plow on the front and they sure handled that perfectly.

 

[Rusty PW]

Rats, and I was hoping you'd be interested in the full set of Fox Rubicon take-offs I have here. Oh, well.

Depending on the weight of your JT - you may not get a heck of a lot of lift out of the Synergy 1" springs. I had them under my Overland with steel bumper and winch and didn't get a full inch lift. It was a slightly firmer ride over the stock springs.
I really like the Synergy springs. Already sold the 2" pair of fronts I had, have a 1" front pair left to sell since the dealer wanted my 2022 put back to full stock before I traded it to them for my 25 JTMX

The inch ratings of the Synergy springs are based on a JL/JLU and you just don't get the full amount of lift with a Gladiator with steel and winch on the front.
That's ok, though, I used them to help when I had the snow plow on the front and they sure handled that perfectly.

Stock shocks no long fit with a 4" lift.

 

[BlackDog]

I should add I have an aluminum front bumper with winch.

I'm thinking I'll replace both springs and shocks, but springs is what I'm focusing on as that's what impacts ride height. Once I figure out springs, I can get the appropriate shocks.

@ShadowsPapa was it your experience that the Synergy coils helped with a firmer ride without requiring other suspension upgrades?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I should add I have an aluminum front bumper with winch.

I'm thinking I'll replace both springs and shocks, but springs is what I'm focusing on as that's what impacts ride height. Once I figure out springs, I can get the appropriate shocks.

@ShadowsPapa was it your experience that the Synergy coils helped with a firmer ride without requiring other suspension upgrades?

I changed only the front springs on mine - it was still a good ride, just not as "soft" as the stock springs were. I don't think my wife even noticed.
I didn't really notice it much until I took them out and put the stock springs back in, then I could tell a difference.

 

[BlackDog]

I changed only the front springs on mine - it was still a good ride, just not as "soft" as the stock springs were. I don't think my wife even noticed.
I didn't really notice it much until I took them out and put the stock springs back in, then I could tell a difference.

I'm curious, why just the front?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Stock shocks no long fit with a 4" lift.

Yeah, that is just a bit of a problem. And I don't have a shock stretcher anymore

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm curious, why just the front?

I had added a steel bumper, winch, but mostly, in the winter it needed to handle 300 pounds of snow plow every now and then.

I had air bags in the rear to handle trailer weight.

 

[MudderNuker]

Having owned over 40 cars, including a Jaguar XJR with air springs (soft cushy ride when needed), 2 Mini Cooper S with suspensions made out of solid granite, a BMW X3 with the same granite suspension feel of the Mini and a '92 Wrangler YJ which will rattle your teeth fillings off, I think my JTR rides just fine.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Start with shocks. Probably all you need.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Having owned over 40 cars, including a Jaguar XJR with air springs (soft cushy ride when needed), 2 Mini Cooper S with suspensions made out of solid granite, a BMW X3 with the same granite suspension feel of the Mini and a '92 Wrangler YJ which is will rattle your tooth fillings off, I think my JTR rides just fine.

The best riding vehicle I've had was my 1970 Javelin. It had the performance suspension under it from the factory. The rear had sagged just a bit over the years as leaf springs do - so I got a pair of new springs from Eaton-Detroit springs, had the torque links rebuilt, adjusted them by the book, all new bushings, but the front springs were fine. When done it sat perfectly level and rode like nothing I'd been in before. RR tracks were nothing - you floated over them. Nail the skinny pedal and the rear would drop a bit and it just went. No wheel hop, took hard curves at speed. It wasn't a bouncy-soft marshmallow ride, but the suspension was extremely well matched to the weight of the car - especially for that year and the fact it was a fairly light car about about 3200 pounds or so, maybe 3300 tops with all the trimmings, cast-iron automatic, and so on.

One of the worst I had to drive was when I worked in the former AMC shop and the boss/owner got his hands on a Scout with half a V8. That thing was a rattle-trap. It could knock out your fillings, and send crowns flying off your teeth. Noisy as heck inside. No way I'd have wanted to take that thing off-road - it would have shaken itself, and you, to pieces. Horrible suspension.

 

[MudderNuker]

The best riding vehicle I've had was my 1970 Javelin. It had the performance suspension under it from the factory. The rear had sagged just a bit over the years as leaf springs do - so I got a pair of new springs from Eaton-Detroit springs, had the torque links rebuilt, adjusted them by the book, all new bushings, but the front springs were fine. When done it sat perfectly level and rode like nothing I'd been in before. RR tracks were nothing - you floated over them. Nail the skinny pedal and the rear would drop a bit and it just went. No wheel hop, took hard curves at speed. It wasn't a bouncy-soft marshmallow ride, but the suspension was extremely well matched to the weight of the car - especially for that year and the fact it was a fairly light car about about 3200 pounds or so, maybe 3300 tops with all the trimmings, cast-iron automatic, and so on.

One of the worst I had to drive was when I worked in the former AMC shop and the boss/owner got his hands on a Scout with half a V8. That thing was a rattle-trap. It could knock out your fillings, and send crowns flying off your teeth. Noisy as heck inside. No way I'd have wanted to take that thing off-road - it would have shaken itself, and you, to pieces. Horrible suspension.

When I take my YJ offroad I am usually the slowest of the group. I tell people I want to get there in one piece, with my teeth still attached and being able to hear.

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