Sponsored

Lowering suspension / ride height for easier access by wife?

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,504
Reaction score
54,031
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
I have an Overland - but here's my results -
The max tow rear springs are SHORTER than the stock Overland rear springs. It was a lot easier putting the shorter max tow springs in the rear than getting the longer Overland springs out.
The end result at the back - mine dropped about 1/8" of an inch. Likely it sat nearly the same because the max tow is made to hold more weight and not "sag" while the softer Overland springs settled more with the same weight.
The result for rear springs - a bit harsher ride in the rear. It was definitely a softer ride with the stock Overland springs. However, I can toss a thousand pounds in the back and it doesn't settle nearly as much.

For the front - I put the softer of the Rubicon numbered springs under the front of my truck. The Rubicon springs were a bit longer, not a lot. I gained about an inch, maybe a bit less. I'll say on the low side of 1" with the spring swap. Ride is nearly the same. Maybe not QUITE as soft as the Overland but up front hard to really tell the difference.

All this means that the front of my truck went up a bit and the rear stayed about the same. That's the result I was hoping. There's still a lot of rack to the truck.
Since a lot of the Rubicon weight difference is in the WIDER axles, the TIRES (although I've not directly compared the weight of the stock A/T tires with the stock Overand H/T tires, they sure seemed and felt heavier when loading and unloading them from the back of the truck.

You have the weight of the Rubicon sway bar with disconnect system which is sprung weight. Doesn't the Rubicon even with plastic bumper also come with a steel skid plate? So there's skid plate weight (not a feather for sure)
So yes there's unsprung weight differences, but also sprung weight in the skid plate, the sway bar system, whatever else about the Rubicon is different - is the hood any heavier at all?


In any case, swapping springs on an Overland - max tow on the rear - almost a wash with the Overland. Fronts - the Rubicon springs raised my truck about 1"

Stock overland has a pretty cushy ride.
Sponsored

 

dcmdon

Well-Known Member
First Name
Don
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
Threads
60
Messages
3,656
Reaction score
4,427
Location
Boston Metro-West, Northern NH
Vehicle(s)
.
My bride has knee and hip replacements. I keep a step stool from Walmart in the back seat of my Overland. Works just fine.
I'm surprised to hear this. I got a new hip 4 months ago and my hip now has the ability fo flex more than it has in years. Is she still stretching and doing PT?
 

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,504
Reaction score
54,031
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
I'm surprised to hear this. I got a new hip 4 months ago and my hip now has the ability fo flex more than it has in years. Is she still stretching and doing PT?
Funny thing about those replacements - I've talked to two people, one my neighbor and the other my sister-in-law. Both said that "one went fine, the other is not as good but better than before". I've talked to others who said their replacements were better than the originals ever were.

I'm sure with my family history and arthritis, I will end up some some sort of after-market parts in me.
 

Sponsored

BK75

Active Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
25
Reaction score
63
Location
Upstate NY
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator - Max Tow
I have a 2021 Rubicon. My wife has a difficult time trying to get in. From what I've seen our options are limited to some type of powered step or step incorporated into the running board or rocker guards. Has any one looked into lowering the Gladiator by changing out the coil springs. Maybe from a Sport or Overland model? Would this affect my 7K towing?
You should start with a good side step first. I wouldn't entertain swapping in different suspension setup. If still the need to go lower, you could step down to lower overall diameter tire.
 

GrubbyBaja

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Nov 12, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
208
Reaction score
305
Location
Titus, AL (Wetumpka)
Vehicle(s)
2020 Sting Gray JTR, 6-speed
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
Change tires to 285/40-17. You should get roughly a 3.5" drop (26" vs 33" diameter). As an added bonus, most of the tires in that size are Z-rated...you'll be good over 150 mph ;)
 
Last edited:

jbehrn

Well-Known Member
First Name
JP
Joined
Oct 12, 2020
Threads
70
Messages
600
Reaction score
585
Location
Montgomery
Vehicle(s)
2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

Stitchedupseats

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Nov 27, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
363
Reaction score
401
Location
North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
22 JTR
Using amp power step XL on wrangler and gladiator. Works great. My wife walks with crutches normally and had a hard time getting in. She can get in and go in the wrangler now without assistance. They took about 6-7 hours for me to put on alone in driveway.
 

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,504
Reaction score
54,031
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
Using amp power step XL on wrangler and gladiator. Works great. My wife walks with crutches normally and had a hard time getting in. She can get in and go in the wrangler now without assistance. They took about 6-7 hours for me to put on alone in driveway.
But they don't work with factory Overland running boards - correct? Ya gotta have a bare-bones rocker pinch weld area?
My wife has asked me more than once about something.........
 

Sponsored

Bunchahoopla

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeremy
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Threads
24
Messages
284
Reaction score
397
Location
Nixa
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport
How do the retract - automatically once the weight is off of them? Do they snap closed or ?
They retract when weight is off of them…simple spring loaded mechanism.
 

Stitchedupseats

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Nov 27, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
363
Reaction score
401
Location
North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
22 JTR
But they don't work with factory Overland running boards - correct? Ya gotta have a bare-bones rocker pinch weld area?
My wife has asked me more than once about something.........
Correct. Her high altitude had the running boards. We removed them and put these on. It gives a rock rail look with the xl. So finished look but very low step. It’s like 13” down or something like that.

Jeep Gladiator Lowering suspension / ride height for easier access by wife? 9E1BE756-80AA-4B61-908D-D45CC61DAC30


Jeep Gladiator Lowering suspension / ride height for easier access by wife? 1772807A-B665-4DE9-992C-3FE8B8C1E3ED
 

Uparms

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2019
Threads
109
Messages
1,082
Reaction score
872
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
2023 JT, 2020 JT, 72 CJ5,2005 LJ, 2002 TJ, 92 YJ
Vehicle Showcase
1
I have a 2021 Rubicon. My wife has a difficult time trying to get in. From what I've seen our options are limited to some type of powered step or step incorporated into the running board or rocker guards. Has any one looked into lowering the Gladiator by changing out the coil springs. Maybe from a Sport or Overland model? Would this affect my 7K towing?
I will do a swap. You can have my Sport S Max Tow springs, (10k miles) and shocks if you want). I will take yours. You are in VA Beach and I am right up in Middletown, DE. Works for me. Document and tag each spring for which corner you take it off.
 

Uparms

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2019
Threads
109
Messages
1,082
Reaction score
872
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
2023 JT, 2020 JT, 72 CJ5,2005 LJ, 2002 TJ, 92 YJ
Vehicle Showcase
1
I also installed a Lund step on just my wife's side. Tapped and bolted 4 bolts, damn strong. Removable.
 

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,504
Reaction score
54,031
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
No need to tag springs - higher number goes on the right side, lower number on the left. Front and rear don't interchange so you can't mix up front and rear.

I have a feeling he'd not be happy with Sport springs under a Rubicon
Sponsored

 
 







Top