Ecodiesel metal cloak dual rate 3.5” review.

[@californiajeeping]

It seems on the sport s ecodiesel Jeep really didn’t do much with the shocks for this engine and the extra weight. My sport s bottomed out with a clacking sound constantly. Even on the road. If you went high speed down a bumpy road it basically sat on the bump stops.

then my rear drivers shock started making a nail on chalkboard noise while hitting any bumps.

My fix? I pulled the trigger on the metal cloak dual rate

I also added falcon bump stops as they’re taller and softer than oem.

I got almost exactly 3.5” lift all around.

the downtravel is crazy. Metal cloak does not make diesel specific springs. They use 4.5” JL lift springs with a .5” spacer on the diesel kits.

it rides amazing! Softer than stock handles speed better and great flex. Most importantly no more constant harsh bottoming. It’s like floating on a cloud!

waiting on my 38s to show up.

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[Free2roam]

What numbers were on your factory springs? Curious if mine were any different.

 

[@californiajeeping]

What numbers were on your factory springs? Curious if mine were any different.

I threw them into the woods down a well and hope to never see them again. The factory springs for the diesel are straight garbage. The bump stop with the extra shim to limit travel is garbage.

The entire system rode like dogpoop compared to the MC. I went with the cheapest lift that replaced the shocks without doing a superlift or rough country and man even with the rocksport shocks its amazing.

I had a 2020 maxtow sport s gas gladiator with a 2" spacer lift and 35's and it rode drastically better than my ecodiesel. It was DRASTICALLY stiffer than the factory ecodiesel suspension and almost never bottomed out.

I will dig them out of the trash and look at the numbers for you. I cant say enough about how much better this jeep rides. Even expansion joints and dips are mellow. No added vibration over factory and no squeaks or rattles.

 

[Free2roam]

I threw them into the woods down a well and hope to never see them again. The factory springs for the diesel are straight garbage. The bump stop with the extra shim to limit travel is garbage.

The entire system rode like dogpoop compared to the MC. I went with the cheapest lift that replaced the shocks without doing a superlift or rough country and man even with the rocksport shocks its amazing.

I had a 2020 maxtow sport s gas gladiator with a 2" spacer lift and 35's and it rode drastically better than my ecodiesel. It was DRASTICALLY stiffer than the factory ecodiesel suspension and almost never bottomed out.

I will dig them out of the trash and look at the numbers for you. I cant say enough about how much better this jeep rides. Even expansion joints and dips are mellow. No added vibration over factory and no squeaks or rattles.

So you ended up installing a MC lift? I thought they didn't make a diesel specific lift?

 

[Jefe1018]

I am actually interested in upgrading my Mopar lift with some Metal Cloak products - mostly just the eight control arms.

 

[@californiajeeping]

So you ended up installing a MC lift? I thought they didn't make a diesel specific lift?

They do not. They do JLU 4 door 4.5" lift gamechanger springs and add a .5-.75" spacer on top or Isolator. This nets nearly 4" with a JT Diesel.

The rears are gladiator specific but are super heavy duty already no diesel specific needed.

It works amazing. It really does ride better than stock by a large margin.

I will likely add the rest of the control arms and steering upgrades in the future.

 

[domingjm]

It seems on the sport s ecodiesel Jeep really didn’t do much with the shocks for this engine and the extra weight. My sport s bottomed out with a clacking sound constantly. Even on the road. If you went high speed down a bumpy road it basically sat on the bump stops.

then my rear drivers shock started making a nail on chalkboard noise while hitting any bumps.

My fix? I pulled the trigger on the metal cloak dual rate

I also added falcon bump stops as they’re taller and softer than oem.

I got almost exactly 3.5” lift all around.

the downtravel is crazy. Metal cloak does not make diesel specific springs. They use 4.5” JL lift springs with a .5” spacer on the diesel kits.

it rides amazing! Softer than stock handles speed better and great flex. Most importantly no more constant harsh bottoming. It’s like floating on a cloud!

waiting on my 38s to show up.

Is this the ~$1,400 kit from MetalCloak? As far as you can tell, the springs and the bump stops are the critical components, right? Can you speculate on whether their 2.5" leveling kit would work? I won't be able to fit in my garage with 3.5"......if my wife even let me come in after spending that much.

 

[@californiajeeping]

Is this the ~$1,400 kit from MetalCloak? As far as you can tell, the springs and the bump stops are the critical components, right? Can you speculate on whether their 2.5" leveling kit would work? I won't be able to fit in my garage with 3.5"......if my wife even let me come in after spending that much.

This is the true dual rate kit with rocksport shocks. All in around 1800-1900$

I would recommend doing the 3.5” true dual rate vs a leveling kit. That added 1-1.5” of height is all up travel which we desperately need.

 

[@californiajeeping]

38” patagonias are on with icon rebound pro wheels. Some rubbing on the fenders with 2 pucks of bump stop. I’m going to likely do a fender chop or metal cloak fenders.

 

[Sank]

Interesting. I just installed the same. 3.5 MC game changer on my diesel. It rides stiffer for sure, which I wouldn't characterize as "better". I very rarely would bottom out the front although I've noticed it touch the bump stops a couple of times.

I wonder why we have different thoughts? We do agree on one thing, the droop is crazy impressive. 37s:

 

[Jteakus]

I just installed this lift on my diesel JT Rubicon with stock shocks. I feel mine is too rough riding. Wondering if installing the other arms will help the ride any.

 

[Sank]

Ah, i have the "Game Changer" as opposed to the "Dual Rate", and the only difference is the 8 control arms. I also feel it's too rough riding as I mentioned above. Note as compared to @Jteakus I chose the Rock Sport shocks option; I was thinking about bolting the Foxes back up to compare the ride quality, but not sure when I'll have time to try that.

 

[Jteakus]

I asked a few people on this forum and they said the rock sports are more firm than the Factory Fox Shocks. It’s not terrible rough but I expected it to be a lot smoother we did a 4.5” GC with Rock Sports on my buddy’s JKU and it is Smooooth

 

[@californiajeeping]

I asked a few people on this forum and they said the rock sports are more firm than the Factory Fox Shocks. It’s not terrible rough but I expected it to be a lot smoother we did a 4.5” GC with Rock Sports on my buddy’s JKU and it is Smooooth

I do not believe they are more firm. Less bouncy? but small bumps etc are softer than stock. then again my factory front suspension would hit the bump stops CONSTANTLY on a sport S.

The rubicons have additional height which leads to less bottoming out for sure.

I just installed this lift on my diesel JT Rubicon with stock shocks. I feel mine is too rough riding. Wondering if installing the other arms will help the ride any.

Remember the factory clevite bushings in the control arms are the "softest" bushing available and keeps expansion joints and cracks in the pavement more supply. By using the duoflex or any other aftermarket control arms there will be more felt vibration.

I would say loosen all 8 arms now that the lift has settled and track bars. Drive up and down the street with them loose and hit some curbs speed bumps etc at like 5mph.

Then on level ground torque all 8 arms and track bars. Technically the duoflex should "spin" inside the arm but it likely takes a ton of flex to get them to rotate. I would for sure set all the torque again.

I still feel its a very smoothe ride on the road. Now it is VERY rough in rock gardens at any kind of speed. This is 100% my 38" patagonias at 35psi. Once aired down its much much better.

I have had my drivers side sway bar end link upper bolt/nut come loose about 5x. even with loctite and a ton of torque. I am going to put a washer and prevailing torque lock nut on them. I dont have a washer under this nut currently as the joint should "spin" in the end link.

On fire roads and higher speed stuff this things smooth sailing. Very happy with this lift for the price.

 

[Jteakus]

I jumped on the Rubicon Trail Promo last week and ordered the other 6 arms and front DS, should arrive today.

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