Seeking feedback, Rubicon Shocks Springs on MAX TOW, good idea?

[Simba JT]

I have seen some scattered post on this topic in the past, not specific enough to help in making a decision. Those that have done this mod, (Rubicon Shocks and Rubicon front Springs on Max Tow), what has been your experience? Something you would recommend? Why? Perhaps not? Why not?
Shocks only? Yes, no? Why?
Thanks!

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[Hootbro]

Go for it if you want a slight lift. I do not think from a technical sense you would loose much if anything rating wise. My 2020 Rubicon was only like a few hundred pounds rated less than a Max Tow and that was because of the extra bit of equipment on the Rubicon.

 

[Mac]

I put front springs from a Rubicon, 340 and 343 on my max tow as well as front and rear shocks. I gained an inch of height in the front and it seemed to ride a little firmer this was with stock tires, I have run 33", 34" and 35" tires on my JT, it feels a little under dampened with the Fox shocks and the larger tires though I did not run larger tires with the stock shocks to compare. At least the Fox shocks look cool.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No big deal - you are talking FRONT springs and 4 shocks. I can tell you I'm not thrilled with the Rubicon shocks on the back of mine.......... but the Rubicon front springs and shocks up front did fine on my Overland. I gained some - it leveled the truck out slightly (until I but a bazillion pounds of weight on the front with a bumper, winch I can barely lift and steel skid plate)
With the rear springs staying max tow you will still have the load-carrying progressive springs back there. I would NOT put Rubicon springs in the back.
The Fox shocks from Rubicon do look cool, but I'm otherwise not impressed. The ride was much better with the stock shocks I had and I may someday go back although I like how the Fox look LOL.

My truck is an Overland for reference but still - you won't loose anything by going Rubicon springs in the front. You aren't changing the weight of your truck, and the Rubicon front springs can obviously handle weight as the Rubicon is a heavier truck up front by a little bit.

 

[Simba JT]

Quick update for those interested in doing something similar..... Modified my stock Max Tow in phase; first Rubicon wheels and tires and then Rubicon Fox shocks all four. I did not replace the front springs, all for springs remain stock.

Overall, very pleased. The tires made the jeep feel more planted and you could feel a loss of a bit, very small bit of pep or acceleration over stock. Noticeable, but not compromising as acceleration was the determining factor as to why I purchased the max tow to start with; it just felt quicker over over models.

Adding the Rubicon FOX shocks improved looks and to some degree performance. You can feel more damping, not stiff, less bounce. The truck appears to handle better, rides smoother and still rolls over speed bumps and pot holes without any lifting or rocking.

As for springs, I had the diesel Rubicon front springs (377/378) in hand and thought that the ride would become too stiff. I am glad I did not try. I would think that you could swap out the Rubicon gas springs (339/340) if you were seeking to gain some lift in the front without much difference in the ride. My Max Tow front springs are 335/336.

As I said overall I feel good about the MODS made, nothing too aggressive but definitely an improvement in performance, slight as it was......

 

[Gvsukids]

Noticeable, but not compromising as acceleration was the determining factor as to why I purchased the max tow to start with; it just felt quicker over over models.

4:10 gears and the Max Tow had small light tires and less bulk than the Rubicon.
Did you add a winch or anything heavy on the front?

 

[chorky]

staying max tow you will still have the load-carrying progressive springs back there. I would NOT put Rubico

Interesting I was wondering, and had figured, they were progressive springs. Any idea what the rate is? I think Icon springs are a triple rate spring... Really wanting to hear how those ride and how much weight they handle. I would guess, just based on Icon, that they would be designed for a constant 600# load in the rear and 200#'s up front.

 

[Simba JT]

4:10 gears and the Max Tow had small light tires and less bulk than the Rubicon.
Did you add a winch or anything heavy on the front?

yes, had added the Rubicon steel bumper and skid plate as my first mod installed by the dealer. (added prior to any tire or suspension mods....) I never noticed any difference in performance as I drove it off the lot this way...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

When I added the Rubicon steel bumper, (80 pounds????) and the Apex 1200# winch (86 pounds??) and the steel skid plate, I felt it. I knew it was heavier up front. It just felt heavier, acted heavier on tight corners, over bumps and so on. It did drop those Rubicon springs about .5" - you can't compress a spring up there half an inch and not have it behave differently on bumps, rough roads and performance driving. The front feels more "planted" and that makes sense, especially in rough areas and curves as there's weight transfer anyway, but you added to it, and multiply those forces with physics.

 

[Klutch]

I also have a Max Tow and would like larger tires. Are the Rubicon wheels any bigger than factory, Max Tow wheels? I actually like my factory wheels, but I'm not sure if I can put bigger tires on them.

 

[JRobes]

I also have a Max Tow and would like larger tires. Are the Rubicon wheels any bigger than factory, Max Tow wheels? I actually like my factory wheels, but I'm not sure if I can put bigger tires on them.

The rubicon has 33" factory tires, the sports and Overlands all have 32". I've been running rubi takeoffs on mine for a couple years now with no suspension modifications, no issues. I do have a max tow sport S though, so I have the widetrack axles.

 

[Gvsukids]

I actually like my factory wheels, but I'm not sure if I can put bigger tires on them.

People have installed 37's on the stock wheels, but not recommended; stick to 35" or smaller.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bigger-tires-on-stock-wheels.45789/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/what-is-the-biggest-tire-on-stock-wheel.21047/

 

[Ar4130]

People have installed 37's on the stock wheels, but not recommended; stick to 35" or smaller.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bigger-tires-on-stock-wheels.45789/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/what-is-the-biggest-tire-on-stock-wheel.21047/

The height (35 vs 37) has nothing to do with being able to run stock wheels. If you can run 35s, you can run 37s. The only debate is the width. Once you go 35/37 most tires are 12.5 wide (not all..can find em 10.5 or 11 which cause zero issue) and stock wheels are only 7.5 wide. You may need to run them w slightly lower tire pressure to get a good contact patch so they wear evenly. Also, depending on your model, you may have some rubbing at full turn on control arms, due to not having enough backspacing/offset on the stock wheels. This is not really an issue with Rubicon, Mojave and Max tow equipped models as they have the wider axles. You may need to run wheels spacers or adjust steering stops on other models to prevent rubbing. That being said, alot of guys run 37s on stock wheels with zero issues.

 

[Klutch]

People have installed 37's on the stock wheels, but not recommended; stick to 35" or smaller.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bigger-tires-on-stock-wheels.45789/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/what-is-the-biggest-tire-on-stock-wheel.21047/

Thanks. I was hoping I could do 35s. No, I wouldn't even consider 37s on the factory wheels.

 

[02sahara]

I have seen some scattered post on this topic in the past, not specific enough to help in making a decision. Those that have done this mod, (Rubicon Shocks and Rubicon front Springs on Max Tow), what has been your experience? Something you would recommend? Why? Perhaps not? Why not?
Shocks only? Yes, no? Why?
Thanks!

That’s what I ended up with. I started with a Willys, added the rubicon shocks and springs all around with a front leveling kit. After a while I picked up a set of rear max tow springs and swapped those in.

It rides firmer than the stock Willys, sits dead level and with a few hundred pounds of cargo barely squats. Other than the Mojave I think it’s the best setup.

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