Pro's/Con's putting Rubicon Suspension on an Overland

[JT614]

I'm looking at putting Rubicon take-off wheels/tires on my Overland. I'm wondering if it would make sense to change out the suspension to that of a Rubicon too. I'm having a hard time finding the differences between the two sets. What are the pros/cons of doing this? Does the Rubi suspension let me upgrade to 35's without a lift? Any help is much appreciated!!

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[JT614]

@Ole Cowboy , @JP1 , @WXman , @The4x4Guys
Any thoughts on this?

 

[Ole Cowboy]

JT, often on the springs you will find a tag with a number, you can look up that part number or do a look see if they have a tag on a Rubicon with a different number..

That said and I do think ?? the coils are different on a Rubicon, bit extra height and possibly diff spring rate.

Now changing out spring is not a hard job BUT you have to get the JT way up in the air in order to get enough droop to remove the springs and you may need to disconnect you sway bar and you control arms...still no a huge deal, I have done many times. Given that is there enough value in the Rubicon swap to justify the effort?

You MIGHT want to do this if you are going that far: https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-suspension-lift-jl-wrangler/

This will give you an extra 2 inches...(ON your JEEP1), everything I am reading says you can run 35's on oem suspension and I think the Rubicons you can get a 37 in there. Bear in mind my thinking points to extreme off-road performance were CoG is NOT your friend. If you don't have any plans to play in Moab at the 4++ level then go ahead and give some lift as it does look good.

No matter the road your travel I tell everyone to think long ball...if you put on 35's today will you want 37's tomorrow?

Tell us what direction you chose...

 

[Chance_P]

Now changing out spring is not a hard job BUT you have to get the JT way up in the air in order to get enough droop to remove the springs and you may need to disconnect you sway bar and you control arms...still no a huge deal, I have done many times. Given that is there enough value in the Rubicon swap to justify the effort?

On my JT Rubi I only had to disconnect the sway bar, lower shock mount, the 13mm nut on the lower arm (holds the brake line) and the 10mm bolt on the frame (also holds brake line). Put the frame on jack stands, leave the opposite tire installed, and use jack to lower axle enough for the spring to slide out.

 

[JT614]

JT, often on the springs you will find a tag with a number, you can look up that part number or do a look see if they have a tag on a Rubicon with a different number..

That said and I do think ?? the coils are different on a Rubicon, bit extra height and possibly diff spring rate.

Now changing out spring is not a hard job BUT you have to get the JT way up in the air in order to get enough droop to remove the springs and you may need to disconnect you sway bar and you control arms...still no a huge deal, I have done many times. Given that is there enough value in the Rubicon swap to justify the effort?

You MIGHT want to do this if you are going that far: https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-suspension-lift-jl-wrangler/

This will give you an extra 2 inches...(ON your JEEP1), everything I am reading says you can run 35's on oem suspension and I think the Rubicons you can get a 37 in there. Bear in mind my thinking points to extreme off-road performance were CoG is NOT your friend. If you don't have any plans to play in Moab at the 4++ level then go ahead and give some lift as it does look good.

No matter the road your travel I tell everyone to think long ball...if you put on 35's today will you want 37's tomorrow?

Tell us what direction you chose...

Thanks for the detailed insights!!! I'll keep you posted!

 

[WXman]

The only con would be a firmer ride. Everything else would be a positive in my opinion.

 

[WXman]

As far as 35s yes they'll fit perfectly.

As far as getting the coils out, rent a coil spring compressor tool from the auto parts store. Take wheels off. Jack Jeep up. Put stands on frame directly behind control arm mounts. Disconnect shocks and sway links. Lower Jack and let axle droop as far as it'll go. Use spring compressor to remove coils. Won't take much.

 

[Ichthus]

If you’re getting the Rubicon springs, I’m hoping you come away with the shocks as well...those will definitely be an improvement over stock.

 

[JT614]

If you’re getting the Rubicon springs, I’m hoping you come away with the shocks as well...those will definitely be an improvement over stock.

And why is that? I'm trying to understand the differences across each of these components.

 

[Hurley82]

And why is that? I'm trying to understand the differences across each of these components.

The Rubicon shocks are Fox, fairly decent quality.

 

[JT614]

The Rubicon shocks are Fox, fairly decent quality.

I keep hearing this but I don't understand the differences in specs. Not sure where to find those.

 

[Stacked JT]

And why is that? I'm trying to understand the differences across each of these components.

The Ruby comes with Fox shocks. just an all around better set up

 

[Texops]

I didn’t need a spring compressor on my Overland the spring just falls out after drooping the suspension remove wheels after installing 3 ton jack stands because they are longer. Disconnect sway bar links lower shocks lower axle vent , brake line bracket & FAD plug & clips , install is the same backwards

 

[Texops]

I’m still not convinced the control arms are any different or the sway bar links

 

[JP1]

@Ole Cowboy , @JP1 , @WXman , @WXman
Any thoughts on this?

NOT ignoring you brother, I had to work today, and I think @Ole Cowboy and @WXman pretty much hit it before I could sit and type.
I would think adding the Rubi Fox suspension would firm everything up perfectly.
I know @steffen707 did a lot of homework on this before he bought my OEM Rubi/FOX suspension to do this setup on his.

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