Suspension height 750 lbs gear

[Rubianderson]

Mine will rock crawl like a monster, but I was still able to tow another jeep 1400 miles back from CA to CO with some Utah mixed in. No sagging. It went from raked to level or a bit higher.

Wildhobo: Did you do a build thread or post individually as you setrup? I havent searched your posts. Yet.
THX. Steve

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[Rubianderson]

Unlifted, my '22 Rubi handled well, unloaded, loaded, overloaded, towing my camper up until about 30k miles when I started to get an occasional hop mostly on the passenger side, but sometimes on the driver side. It seemed to be temperature dependant, ~45 deg or lower. I read a lot of similar experiences, they all seemed to point to the factory steering damper. I did the Mopar lift and upgraded to the matching Fox 2.0 damper, forget which order but I did drive a little while with one or the other, was still a problem, maybe a little less frequent. Pair together was much better, but still got squirrelly at times. Want until the last month, blowing a ujoint and having most of the front axel replaced and the dealer did a killer alignment, it's dialed in. I drove my routine 45mile path right after and barely needed 2 fingers on the steering wheel.

Wow! Quite a journey. I havent found a good dealer yet. Def not the selling dealer. I'm in Tampa metro area.
If anyone reading this thread knows of a good dealer w/an Exceptional service dept. Even one that is an hour to hour/half from Tampa, please post-up or DM.
What size tires were/are you running?
THX. Steve

 

[Rubianderson]

Uggg. Trying to delete this erroneous post

 

[brsnow2585]

Wow! Quite a journey. I havent found a good dealer yet. Def not the selling dealer. I'm in Tampa metro area.
If anyone reading this thread knows of a good dealer w/an Exceptional service dept. Even one that is an hour to hour/half from Tampa, please post-up or DM.
What size tires were/are you running?
THX. Steve

Factory Rubi wheels and tires, Wildpeak AT3 33". I'm just a bit over 40k miles on them and they're still(maybe) just under half tread. I've wheeled and crawled some with them, been very happy and they still look sturdy. Next set is going to be Wildpeak AT4 35" metric, they fit on the factory wheels. I think I probably got a really marginal alignment from the factory, had a dealer in another state do the alignment after I put the lift on, then, like you said, not the dealer that I ordered it from fix the axle and alignment. The service tech was awesome, he was texting me with updates, sent me a screenshot of the alignment and said it came up super sharp. I need to go back and dig up the last alignment to compare, they gave me a printout, wonder how they compare.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Wildhobo: Did you do a build thread or post individually as you setrup? I havent searched your posts. Yet.
THX. Steve

Hi Steve. Off subject, my kids name all snakes Steve. Because my wife had a good idea. Just saying. I met you in rattle mode two days ago. Ok. Let me take my anti psychotic. I’m good now.

I never did a full build thread. I just have used the what did you do to thread. But I’m happy to talk about the whole thing. It’s been an evolution, learning experience, some devolving, and then better evolution. I’m super happy with how it is now. Super happy. It’s a jackknife.

 

[darkhorse13]

I know a thing or two about a weighted down JTR I've posted quite a bit on this forum about constant weight and spring choices.

Here's my recommendations: (based off 3" front & rear springs that I've used)
1) 600-700lb = Synergy springs only. This should net you level if not a touch of rake
2) 700-900lb = Synergy springs + 3/4" Daystar spacers. This should net you level fully loaded. If running less than 700lb with Daystar spacer you'll get roughly 1/2" rake (see this thread) Also, check out this opening post for a good look at what I carried to weigh in over 700lb (see here)
3) 800lb or 900lb+ = AEV HD springs only. My Tuktut build (~900lb) + ~130lb of bikes/rack still gives me a level stance (see here)

I never ran the AEV SD springs but you might consider those too. I was SUPER impressed with the way the AEV HD springs rode and handled a lot of weight. I know you're adverse to airbags but I really liked the Accuair rear only bags offering for the flexibility of a varying load rate.

I ran Clayton SD springs a long time ago before the HD versions were released. I needed an extra 1" long spring in the back vs the front to keep a level stance. I personally didn't like the harsh ride quality of Claytons. Very subjective of course and I'm not bashing their quality... just weren't the springs for my butt-o-meter liking. Synergy springs had a very compliant ride quality even with my Falcon SP2 3.3's (which are a considered a firm shock by most)

 

[Stan H]

I know a thing or two about a weighted down JTR I've posted quite a bit on this forum about constant weight and spring choices.

Here's my recommendations:
1) 600-700lb = Synergy springs only. This should net you level if not a touch of rake
2) 700-900lb = Synergy springs + 3/4" Daystar spacers. This should net you level fully loaded. If running less than 700lb with Daystar spacer you'll get roughly 1/2" rake (see this thread) Also, check out this opening post for a good look at what I carried to weigh in over 700lb (see here)
3) 800lb or 900lb+ = AEV HD springs only. My Tuktut build (~900lb) + ~130lb of bikes/rack still gives me a level stance (see here)

I never ran the AEV SD springs but you might consider those too. I was SUPER impressed with the way the AEV HD springs rode and handled a lot of weight. I know you're adverse to airbags but I really liked the Accuair rear only bags offering for the flexibility of a varying load rate.

I ran Clayton SD springs a long time ago before the HD versions were released. I needed an extra 1" long spring in the back vs the front to keep a level stance. I personally didn't like the harsh ride quality of Claytons. Very subjective of course and I'm not bashing their quality... just weren't the springs for my butt-o-meter liking. Synergy springs had a very compliant ride quality even with my Falcon SP2 3.3's (which are a considered a firm shock by most)

Are talking all basic stock height or 2" 2.5" ??? What height spring ??

 

[darkhorse13]

Are talking all basic stock height or 2" 2.5" ??? What height spring ??

Great question, all of my research is based off Synergy 3" front & rear springs. I believe Synergy incorporates roughly 1.5" of rake into their rear lift springs.

So if the OP wants to maintain a factory ride height with the 750lb constant in the rear, they'd probably need the 1" or maybe the 2" version... that's a question for the Synergy staff though I always kept a pair of Daystar 3/4" rear spacers in my parts pile in case I needed to tweak the stance.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Airlift. They have Gladiator specific model. There are several tutorials out on YT. Wash your rear axle/springs as well as you can nothing worse than a face full of dirt! I did not use the supplied Tee in for the air line. I wanted to reduce sway as well. I felt that air would travel between the bags freely with the Tee. By installing two Schrader valves, each side is independent. Not sure that accomplished much other than I think its helping. LOL

I run air bags for towing - to keep the headlights out of the trees when loaded down. I "believe" or "feel" it also helped sway a bit.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I run air bags for towing - to keep the headlights out of the trees when loaded down. I "believe" or "feel" it also helped sway a bit.

I’m still not in the air bag camp. I towed 2700 miles last week and had no sway problems. I’ve never had sway problems actually. But I’ve always run heavy duty springs in the rear. I do think my replacement rear swaybar made a difference. I even noticed a significant amount of more stability on the same obstacle as in august without it. Less roll angle by 5 degrees or more than last month.

Maybe it has a little less rear articulation now, but you can’t have everything.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I’m still not in the air bag camp. I towed 2700 miles last week and had no sway problems. I’ve never had sway problems actually. But I’ve always run heavy duty springs in the rear. I do think my replacement rear swaybar made a difference. I even noticed a significant amount of more stability on the same obstacle as in august without it. Less roll angle by 5 degrees or more than last month.

Maybe it has a little less rear articulation now, but you can’t have everything.

500+ pound tongue weight on an otherwise stock soft suspension - the headlights were problematic and I got "flashed" by every vehicle I came across on 2 lane highways. It was just too much rear sag.

Of course the Overland was not as wide a stance either - but the sag was not acceptable towing.
It just felt a little bit more stable. Not that it was ever bad that way - I felt fine towing with it, the truck never felt unstable at all, but it was some difference - enough to make it worth doing.

It was a $100 solution that worked out perfectly. I could adjust the pressure to keep the truck at the same height whether towing, or hauling (most of the time I could place heave loads ahead of and on the rear axle so that wasn't a big deal)

You have a much different suspension - stiffer springs, high-end shocks. I run stock suspension (well, with this one it's stock, with the other, the front wasn't quite stock, and the rear shocks weren't)

 

[JTdiRtyD]

3) 800lb or 900lb+ = AEV HD springs only. My Tuktut build (~900lb) + ~130lb of bikes/rack still gives me a level stance (see here)

I never ran the AEV SD springs but you might consider those too. I was SUPER impressed with the way the AEV HD springs rode and handled a lot of weight. I know you're adverse to airbags but I really liked the Accuair rear only bags offering for the flexibility of a varying load rate.

Can confirm the AEV HD springs handle a lot of weight well, almost too well. ~550lbs on the bed and another 200lbs on the tongue the truck sat level and they handled it quite well.

I am considering swapping to their standard springs and then running bags when the trailer is attached. Even with 550lbs in the back it's a rough ride on the trails.

 

[WILDHOBO]

500+ pound tongue weight on an otherwise stock soft suspension - the headlights were problematic and I got "flashed" by every vehicle I came across on 2 lane highways. It was just too much rear sag.

Of course the Overland was not as wide a stance either - but the sag was not acceptable towing.
It just felt a little bit more stable. Not that it was ever bad that way - I felt fine towing with it, the truck never felt unstable at all, but it was some difference - enough to make it worth doing.

It was a $100 solution that worked out perfectly. I could adjust the pressure to keep the truck at the same height whether towing, or hauling (most of the time I could place heave loads ahead of and on the rear axle so that wasn't a big deal)

You have a much different suspension - stiffer springs, high-end shocks. I run stock suspension (well, with this one it's stock, with the other, the front wasn't quite stock, and the rear shocks weren't)

I towed with my stock suspension as well. It absolutely wasn’t up to it. Too squishy. That was only a 300lb tongue weight, but it was noticeable. The shocks help, but for a long time I towed with basic fox 2.0 shocks. Agreed. With how mine is setup now, different springs are the differentiator without a doubt. My spring setup was always a mess and not great until just two months ago.

 

[darkhorse13]

Can confirm the AEV HD springs handle a lot of weight well, almost too well. ~550lbs on the bed and another 200lbs on the tongue the truck sat level and they handled it quite well.

I am considering swapping to their standard springs and then running bags when the trailer is attached. Even with 550lbs in the back it's a rough ride on the trails.

^^ 100% ^^

AEV HD springs need at least a ~900lb constant load in the bed to ride nicely. But they do a fantastic job and handling the weight.

 

[Stan H]

Can confirm the AEV HD springs handle a lot of weight well, almost too well. ~550lbs on the bed and another 200lbs on the tongue the truck sat level and they handled it quite well.

I am considering swapping to their standard springs and then running bags when the trailer is attached. Even with 550lbs in the back it's a rough ride on the trails.

Put more weight in it

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