20 JT Rubicon Suspension Bumpy and Wandering - Anyone try the BILSTEIN B8 5100 Leveling Kit?

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I've owned a 2020 JT Rubicon Launch Edition since new. It has the original FOX shocks that came with it. The factory steering stabilizer was replaced with a FOX unit. I have 35x12.50 BFG K02 E-Rated tires running at 35 psi. I had the dealer install a Teraflex 1.5" spacer kit when the tires were installed. I've always dealt with the soft suspension, bump steer, and wandering. I get the tires are pretty stiff and that may be a lot of it.

Truck has 61,XXX miles on it now and I'm thinking of having the BILSTEIN B8 5100 Leveling Kit installed. LINK Curious if anyone here has experience with that kit and any feedback? My concern (after searching here) is the stock springs are too soft and the BILSTEIN shocks will help but not be the fix.

I have a '23 392 JL Rubicon XR (35" BFG K02 C-rated) along with and a '19 JL Sport S that is mostly stock. Both JLs drive SO MUCH better than the JT. I'm looking at options for improving the JT ride. I'm not looking to do much off roading and want to keep the lift to 2" or less. What other suggestions do you all have? Would new shocks and new C-rated tires be a better idea?

Added pictures for attention.

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[ChrisNLA]

E-Rated tires have no business on our trucks unless you are dragging the sidewalls through sharp rocks often and/or are also loaded over the GVWR constantly.

I was able to tell a difference in Falken AT3W's vs my new KO3's in ride quality (the KO3 was marginally better), and they were both C-rated tires, except the Falkens are heavier in the sidewalls than the KO3s - so I expect you would feel a difference in E vs C load.

I have Bilstein 5100s. I think they are a tad rough. Ride quality is extremely subject though. Some people love a stiff ride quality, some do not. The 5100's notice all of the road imperfections. ALL of them. Very high quality shock though. I will probably try Rancho 9000XL's next so I can fine tune on a budget.

 

[jingle]

E-Rated tires have no business on our trucks unless you are dragging the sidewalls through sharp rocks often and/or are also loaded over the GVWR constantly.

Yeah, I was wondering that. Bought the wheels/tires during COVID so availability was limited and I didn't realize the significance of E-rated tires at the time.

Thanks for the feedback on the Bilsteins. I would like the ride to be stiffer than what I have now because it is very "floaty". But I don't want it to ride like a chuck wagon.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Yeah, I was wondering that. Bought the wheels/tires during COVID so availability was limited and I didn't realize the significance of E-rated tires at the time.

Thanks for the feedback on the Bilsteins. I would like the ride to be stiffer than what I have now because it is very "floaty". But I don't want it to ride like a chuck wagon.

On 'normal' road conditions it ride fine.

Everywhere else this thing rides same or worse than the average 3/4 ton truck.

But south Louisiana roads leave a bit to be desired. It's all sinking into the swamp, after all.

So again - pretty subjective. Lots of folks here love 5100's and push them like they are sponsored.

To be fair, they are really nice when my truck is loaded out. Like, several hundred pounds loaded. I could see them being nice if you are really sending it offroad and need that help. They do really well jumping the railroad tracks by the house, for example.

 

[Badunit]

Mine is stock height, daily driver, and the bed is empty 95% of the time. I tried the stock red shocks, Fox, and Bilstein 5100's. The red and Fox were too floaty for me on the highway. Biggest improvement to my ride quality, though, was stiffer rear coils (Max Tow). Prior to that mine rode like the bed was overloaded with a heavy high-centered load; the rear was steering the front.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Mine is stock height, daily driver, and the bed is empty 95% of the time. I tried the stock red shocks, Fox, and Bilstein 5100's. The red and Fox were too floaty for me on the highway. Biggest improvement to my ride quality, though, was stiffer rear coils (Max Tow). Prior to that mine rode like the bed was overloaded with a heavy high-centered load; the rear was steering the front.

Mine is a Max Tow - and she is stifffff.

I may even just buy two 9000XL's for the front so that I can lighten it up / tune it some. The front end just doesn't have the weight to overcome the 5100s effectively most of the time. Probably due to their digressive valving.

Suspension is often all about experimentation. Especially on these little solid axle trucks...

 

[jingle]

Mine is stock height, daily driver, and the bed is empty 95% of the time. I tried the stock red shocks, Fox, and Bilstein 5100's. The red and Fox were too floaty for me on the highway. Biggest improvement to my ride quality, though, was stiffer rear coils (Max Tow). Prior to that mine rode like the bed was overloaded with a heavy high-centered load; the rear was steering the front.

That's a great way to describe the ride - like the bed is overloaded. Good to know on the red shocks. I had looked around and thought of just swapping the shocks with other Jeep/Mopar shocks (like 392 shocks). However it seems that doesn't always go well - want to make sure to get the correct shocks for the JT.

I looked at my build and it shows the "Trailer-tow Package" but it doesn't state "Max Tow". Did you find the rear coils second hand or buy them from the dealer?

 

[Badunit]

Bought someone's take-offs on eBay. Roughly $100. I figured it was worth a try for $100. I installed them myself so no labor cost. I don't have the exact part numbers on me at the moment. I think there are different "Max Tow" springs, and probably additional ones for 2020. I think one of the set was 68341445AB. The other was a slightly different number.

 

[Lost1wing]

My 2020 Rubicon was getting to be a carnival ride off road or over speed bumps. I have a few hundred pounds in the bed at all times. The OEM Fox shocks just gave out. Bilstein 5100 shocks corrected the bounce and with my weight, ride real nice. OEM Fox shocks worked for a while. Can't tell you how long the Bilsteins will last, it has only been a few months.

 

[Shawn 23]

I'm running a 2.5" leveling kit from skyjacker with the Bilstein 5100s I bought the longer shocks to get rid of the shock extension brackets ( it has the longer bump stops anyway) I prefer the ride with the Bilstein shocks. I do have a heavy bumper with a winch, and the tow package. I don't get the complaints about the ride being too stiff.. the factory Fox ones were way too soft, and I was leaning, and tracking around the road with the 35s now after I got an alignment, and new shocks it drives straight as new. I also installed a Bilstein steering damper. I guess everything is subjective, but it worked for me. 2020 JTR

 

[Main Line Willys]

I was not aware Bilstein offered a leveling kit for the Gladiator.
I would question what model are they consider level; sport or Rubicon.
Most of the other manufacturers are giving numbers based off a Rubicon.

As far as OEM Rubicon ride quality, I found it tends to wallow as it goes down the road.
I went with the Clayton 1.5 lift and Bilstein 5100's.
Overall I am very pleased with the stance and ride quality.
I am currently on some worn BFG AT 285 75 17 E, I believe they are the KO2

 

[jingle]

Good to know on the Bilstein 5100s. When I go to Biltein's site - they do ask for my vehicle Make/Model/Trim so it at least seems to be accounting for the Rubicon trim level. Doesn't mean they don't use the same kit regardless of trim level.

I figured it would be better to replace the Teraflex spacer kit with Bilstein's kit (including shocks) just to have a cohesive setup.

I've seen several members here running the Clayton lift kit. Might take a look at that too.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I'm running a 2.5" leveling kit from skyjacker with the Bilstein 5100s I bought the longer shocks to get rid of the shock extension brackets ( it has the longer bump stops anyway) I prefer the ride with the Bilstein shocks. I do have a heavy bumper with a winch, and the tow package. I don't get the complaints about the ride being too stiff.. the factory Fox ones were way too soft, and I was leaning, and tracking around the road with the 35s now after I got an alignment, and new shocks it drives straight as new. I also installed a Bilstein steering damper. I guess everything is subjective, but it worked for me. 2020 JTR

Mine being a Sport, it always had a 'firm' ride, but the 5100's are a bit firmer than the factory shocks. I think our roads are just a bit terrible for a digressive shock. You can run over a quarter with 5100s and feel it just about. Id prefer something at some point that is firm, but progressive rather than digressive.

I rode in a stock Rubicon once and it felt squishy just driving down a flat highway. It would bounce over expansion joints.

They control weight very well, though. I can drive pretty sporty even with a lot of weight.

Thats three weatherproof cases packed full, 100 pounds worth of fridge, 8 fishing poles, three scooters, probably 250 pounds worth of toolbox, and other junk. Plus three kids and two adults. No wallow or sway, even exceeding the speed limit on hilly/curvy two lanes. This is a Max Tow as well. So. Good springs...

 

[BuckarooAZ]

E-Rated tires have no business on our trucks unless you are dragging the sidewalls through sharp rocks often and/or are also loaded over the GVWR constantly.

I was able to tell a difference in Falken AT3W's vs my new KO3's in ride quality (the KO3 was marginally better), and they were both C-rated tires, except the Falkens are heavier in the sidewalls than the KO3s - so I expect you would feel a difference in E vs C load.

I have Bilstein 5100s. I think they are a tad rough. Ride quality is extremely subject though. Some people love a stiff ride quality, some do not. The 5100's notice all of the road imperfections. ALL of them. Very high quality shock though. I will probably try Rancho 9000XL's next so I can fine tune on a budget.

I use put the 5100’s on my 2021 JL two door sport and I agree with all you said. Quite harsh on the road but they sure work great on fire roads and bumpy rock roads here in AZ. I’m still not sure what I will do on the JTR that has a 400 lb Harker and air bags.

 

[Onebadv2]

‘21 Sport with tow package and Wildpeak mt’s. Been getting some parts together for installing this winter such as stubby front bumper, Apex 12000 lb winch, used AEV spacer lift, 5100’s designed for 0-2” lift and Rocktrix wheels with-12 backspace. As it is now, I have a lot of wallow with bumps. Feels like just really soft suspension, not death wobble type stuff. Was thinking of getting different springs for the front, maybe the diesel rated ones due to the extra weight. Generally have nothing in the back and tow nothing other than trailer and ATV during hunting season.

My tire choices damn near change with every breath I take!! Baja Boss AT’rank high but are crazy heavy. 35’s are probably going to be the size choice but could be 37’s if my body is feeling good on the day I get them. A regear to 4.88 or 5:13 also in the plans. Definitely a AT/RT tread pattern.

Would love to hear opinions as just experimenting is too damn expensive anymore. TIA!

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