Can I improve the steering/driving experience any more?

[Metalcloak]

Metal Cloak says you don't need it, but their lift kits run high in my experience. They 'say' it's 3.5" but I'm willing to bet you got 4.5" or more out of it.

As a company that started doing body armor first, our suspension systems were designed for rigs with a fair share of aftermarket parts... and most kits will sit higher if your rig is essentially stock for bumpers, fenders, skids, etc. - Matson

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[ChrisNLA]

As a company that started doing body armor first, our suspension systems were designed for rigs with a fair share of aftermarket parts... and most kits will sit higher if your rig is essentially stock for bumpers, fenders, skids, etc. - Matson

For sure! No jab at yours guys lifts at all. We all ran Metalcloak in our circle but most of our rigs were on the lighter side and sat well above the advertised lift height - which certainly didn't bother us, but we made sure to mention it to to other folks if they didn't have heavy rigs so that they wouldn't overshoot the height they wanted.

 

[gearhead22]

For sure! No jab at yours guys lifts at all. We all ran Metalcloak in our circle but most of our rigs were on the lighter side and sat well above the advertised lift height - which certainly didn't bother us, but we made sure to mention it to to other folks if they didn't have heavy rigs so that they wouldn't overshoot the height they wanted.

I’m definitely light. The jeep is primarily a road warrior, usually empty with just me in it. The only additional weight over the factory steel bumpers is a winch up front.

 

[gearhead22]

So I notice in my jeep when driving that I feel every uneven road surface. Like my head is rocking side to side a lot more than other vehicles. I feel like a bobble head. Also when driving down the road at decent speeds it feels like the jeep is moving around but it’s like it’s only the body as it’s tracking straight in its lane. It feels “squirmy” or like it’s wandering around and constantly moving. You’ll be driving straight down the road, no bumps, and then your head will shift left or right feeling like something pushed or pulled you that direction, but yet the jeep is still driving straight down the road. I don’t know how to put it, it’s weird feeling. I’ve had other lifted jeeps (1 tj and 1 jku) and haven’t experienced this. I also don’t really recall it prior to the lift. It gets pushed around a lot by wind, which I know is fairly normal and probably worse the higher the lift.

any ideas as to why this is? Does it sound normal and I’m just not used to a jeep? I would’ve expected the gladiator to ride the best of them all due to the wheelbase but for me that’s not the case. I find it hard to believe people cross country trip and what not with these things lol.

one thing I will note is the times I’ve been towing my utility trailer and mower behind it, it seems much more still and planted. I don’t typically go far with it hooked up so I can’t say for 100% certainty that it’s not still there, but it does feel improved I believe.

 

[Zachanadandy]

So I notice in my jeep when driving that I feel every uneven road surface. Like my head is rocking side to side a lot more than other vehicles. I feel like a bobble head. Also when driving down the road at decent speeds it feels like the jeep is moving around but it’s like it’s only the body as it’s tracking straight in its lane. It feels “squirmy” or like it’s wandering around and constantly moving. You’ll be driving straight down the road, no bumps, and then your head will shift left or right feeling like something pushed or pulled you that direction, but yet the jeep is still driving straight down the road. I don’t know how to put it, it’s weird feeling. I’ve had other lifted jeeps (1 tj and 1 jku) and haven’t experienced this. I also don’t really recall it prior to the lift. It gets pushed around a lot by wind, which I know is fairly normal and probably worse the higher the lift.

any ideas as to why this is? Does it sound normal and I’m just not used to a jeep? I would’ve expected the gladiator to ride the best of them all due to the wheelbase but for me that’s not the case. I find it hard to believe people cross country trip and what not with these things lol.

one thing I will note is the times I’ve been towing my utility trailer and mower behind it, it seems much more still and planted. I don’t typically go far with it hooked up so I can’t say for 100% certainty that it’s not still there, but it does feel improved I believe.

The head toss when hitting bumps at an angle was worse in the JT than our JLUR by quite a bit. I swapped the rear to a triangulated 4 link kit that eliminates the rear track bar and the head toss is gone entirely. We drive our 600 miles each way to our AZ property every 4-6 weeks and it rides better than any other Jeep we've owned by a lot. I'm also running 3.5" of lift, 37s, and front control arm drop brackets.

 

[gearhead22]

The head toss when hitting bumps at an angle was worse in the JT than our JLUR by quite a bit. I swapped the rear to a triangulated 4 link kit that eliminates the rear track bar and the head toss is gone entirely. We drive our 600 miles each way to our AZ property every 4-6 weeks and it rides better than any other Jeep we've owned by a lot. I'm also running 3.5" of lift, 37s, and front control arm drop brackets.

Maybe the 4 link is the key. Have heard good things. But I’ve already put so much $$ into this thing

side note, aren’t you in CA? Get some sleep man!

 

[Zachanadandy]

Maybe the 4 link is the key. Have heard good things. But I’ve already put so much $$ into this thing

side note, aren’t you in CA? Get some sleep man!

Construction worker life. Get up at 1:45am to go to the gym. After the gym we take the dogs on their 2.5 mile walk. Leave for work at 4:45am. On the bright side if we aren't working OT I'm home by 2:45pm.

 

[gearhead22]

Construction worker life. Get up at 1:45am to go to the gym. After the gym we take the dogs on their 2.5 mile walk. Leave for work at 4:45am. On the bright side if we aren't working OT I'm home by 2:45pm.

7-3 for me, but I get up at 4-4:30 for some me time haha. Gym after work, when I’m more awake and ready lol.

 

[Stan H]

Wher

So I notice in my jeep when driving that I feel every uneven road surface. Like my head is rocking side to side a lot more than other vehicles. I feel like a bobble head. Also when driving down the road at decent speeds it feels like the jeep is moving around but it’s like it’s only the body as it’s tracking straight in its lane. It feels “squirmy” or like it’s wandering around and constantly moving. You’ll be driving straight down the road, no bumps, and then your head will shift left or right feeling like something pushed or pulled you that direction, but yet the jeep is still driving straight down the road. I don’t know how to put it, it’s weird feeling. I’ve had other lifted jeeps (1 tj and 1 jku) and haven’t experienced this. I also don’t really recall it prior to the lift. It gets pushed around a lot by wind, which I know is fairly normal and probably worse the higher the lift.

any ideas as to why this is? Does it sound normal and I’m just not used to a jeep? I would’ve expected the gladiator to ride the best of them all due to the wheelbase but for me that’s not the case. I find it hard to believe people cross country trip and what not with these things lol.

one thing I will note is the times I’ve been towing my utility trailer and mower behind it, it seems much more still and planted. I don’t typically go far with it hooked up so I can’t say for 100% certainty that it’s not still there, but it does feel improved I believe.

Where I am from it is all curvy S curves and hills dips potholes it drove me bonkers. Then I went and put a set of Falcon shocks on and a lift kit. Thing corners and steers kike a 80's model sports car. The rocking is gone and the dipping is gone. That triangulation is next in me list .

 

[gearhead22]

Wher

Where I am from it is all curvy S curves and hills dips potholes it drove me bonkers. Then I went and put a set of Falcon shocks on and a lift kit. Thing corners and steers kike a 80's model sports car. The rocking is gone and the dipping is gone. That triangulation is next in me list .

I’m running bilstein 5100’s that helped some. But it’s still far too annoying

 

[Zachanadandy]

7-3 for me, but I get up at 4-4:30 for some me time haha. Gym after work, when I’m more awake and ready lol.

I'm definitely stronger in the afternoon, but screw that. Most mornings I have the 10k sqft gym to myself. I don't think I've ever seen more than 4 other people in there at that time. No waiting for equipment or dumbells or squat racks. No adjusting my program for what's open. I don't have the patience to train in the afternoon with the teens and 20s doing 10 sets of selfies in the way. Not to mention I'm far more likely to skip it in the afternoon. Had to work late? No gym. Wife had a stressful day and asks about dinner and cocktails? That's always a yes from me. It's definitely hard to get up at 1:45am, especially if the plan calls for heavy deadlifts. Pulling 450+ lbs at 2:30 in the morning is rough.

 

[Stan H]

I'm definitely stronger in the afternoon, but screw that. Most mornings I have the 10k sqft gym to myself. I don't think I've ever seen more than 4 other people in there at that time. No waiting for equipment or dumbells or squat racks. No adjusting my program for what's open. I don't have the patience to train in the afternoon with the teens and 20s doing 10 sets of selfies in the way. Not to mention I'm far more likely to skip it in the afternoon. Had to work late? No gym. Wife had a stressful day and asks about dinner and cocktails? That's always a yes from me. It's definitely hard to get up at 1:45am, especially if the plan calls for heavy deadlifts. Pulling 450+ lbs at 2:30 in the morning is rough.

450#🦿🦿 .. oh my aching back

 

[Zachanadandy]

450#🦿🦿 .. oh my aching back

 

[gearhead22]

I'm definitely stronger in the afternoon, but screw that. Most mornings I have the 10k sqft gym to myself. I don't think I've ever seen more than 4 other people in there at that time. No waiting for equipment or dumbells or squat racks. No adjusting my program for what's open. I don't have the patience to train in the afternoon with the teens and 20s doing 10 sets of selfies in the way. Not to mention I'm far more likely to skip it in the afternoon. Had to work late? No gym. Wife had a stressful day and asks about dinner and cocktails? That's always a yes from me. It's definitely hard to get up at 1:45am, especially if the plan calls for heavy deadlifts. Pulling 450+ lbs at 2:30 in the morning is rough.

I agree that the morning would probably be easier. I just like my lounge time then. Get up, have a cup of coffee etc.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I agree that the morning would probably be easier. I just like my lounge time then. Get up, have a cup of coffee etc.

I only lift every other day, on the other days I sleep in... until 3am. Our female dog is 13 year old and sensitive to the heat so afternoon/ evening walks are a no go in the summertime. It's a schedule that works for us, but it's definitely not for everyone.

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