Riding on the highway, hitting bumps, white knuckles at times

[Lunentucker]

I'm one day into my BFG K02 35's and wondering what the hell took me so long to do this.
Night and day from the stock setup. Rides like butter.
My stock tires were of course different with the Mojave package, but it's worth considering.

Try 32-34 PSI. Someone was smoked up when they came up with these ridiculous ratings for the stock rubber.

Check the suspension and steering components for proper torque.
Check the alignment.
Check the stabilizer. Replace it with something of value.
Check the steering gearbox mounting and backlash (steering play)

Get someone to run the steering back and forth while you visually observe the linkages for slop.

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[Gvsukids]

I don't know what suspensions the Willy's has but the Rubicon suspension is not good.

JLU.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

My Mojave wandered on the highway at the recommended pressures. It’s much better at 32 psi. But as the previous poster noted the stock tires are trash, and I also plan to upgrade to 35” BFG AT.

 

[Gren71]

MT tires wonder like a MFer

try and lower the pressure a little, see if that helps.

If you feel confident enough check and set your own toe. I had an "alignment" done twice and still had wonder...when I checked my toe my self the measurements were even front and rear. I re set my toe to be toed in and now it drives like a dream.

I used this vid as reference

 

[DBravo]

2021 Overland
I have 22,000 miles Highway interstate gravel and off road. Trailered 5,000 pounds through michigan snow and wind. Never had issue # 1
one white knuckle event involved an 18 wheeler drifting into my lane in a narrow construction area.
I have read of these drivability issues but I have also drove old mack trucks that wander like a bloated cow.
The gladiator is smooth and tight

Same 2020 Gadliator Overland, 42k miles, stock 18" wheels and 255/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler AT Radials - no issues like you describe. I've always had Jeeps so hardly notice the slight wander anymore.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’d probably take it to the dealership since under warranty. I’m not sure what good a detailer could do other than make it look nice.

 

[NC_Overland]

Here is the window sticker.. Its deff higher then the others nothing mentions lift kit on window sticker maybe just the large tires. I put the window sticker in below incase I am missing something.

Unrelated, but how the hell does a Willys have the same MSRP as my Overland and be missing several options I have. Have prices gone up several thousand dollars in two years?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't know what suspensions the Willy's has but the Rubicon suspension is not good. It is designed soft for more flex but rides like a blown out 70s Cadillac suspension on the road. The shocks do not dampen at all and it just rocks all over the place. I am stock 2020 Rubicon. Going AEV suspension when I can as I've had good success with it in my JK. Honestly, anything will be better than stock Rubicon suspension. :D

I was NOT impressed with the Rubicon fox shocks I put on my Overland a couple of years ago. Debating on whether or not to put them on the new truck when it comes. Bounced.
Granted, I had an extra 150 pounds in the front and max tow springs in the rear...... but the fox shocks were no better than the stock Overland shocks. I have a far better ride back to stock in the rear.

My stock tires were stickered to run 38 psi. That's what I ran.
When I switched to the A/T Generals, they guy said 36.
I've been running them at 38 psi (pressure read when the outside air temp is 65-70) and after a while they run up to 39 or so and I have to say - nothing bouncy or hard about them.
In fact if I reduce the pressure down to 35 it feels mushy and not as stable. So I've decided just to leave them at this pressure. It's not bouncy at all.
(they got that high because I upped the air pressure over the winter otherwise it dropped to 27-28 psi in our cold temps. I have not bothered to lower it and have decided I'm not going to - it's fine)

Start with lowering your air pressure to 30 PSI in each tire when cold. That will put it in the 35-36 PSI range when they heat up.

And heat the sidewalls a bit much. PSI should be when the ambient air temp is about 60-70 degrees, not what it runs at.

I still find it interesting about how low some are running their tire pressures. Mine runs GREAT at 38 which is 2 psi over what they said to run them on my truck (tire pressure should be based on your own specific truck weight, not what others run)

 

[Bananaman]

I just switched to those exact tires from the BFG "highway" tires that came stock on my Sport S.
I love the look, but, yes, I feel a little difference in ride. Not quite as "planted", but no where near scary.

 

[WoolyKris]

Stock Willy here with Firestone Destinations, I’ll take few months to get used to rough seas on the highway, especially if you are coming form a modern truck ride quality. It’s a Jeep thing…

 

[NC_Overland]

I was NOT impressed with the Rubicon fox shocks I put on my Overland a couple of years ago. Debating on whether or not to put them on the new truck when it comes. Bounced.
Granted, I had an extra 150 pounds in the front and max tow springs in the rear...... but the fox shocks were no better than the stock Overland shocks.

I still find it interesting about how low some are running their tire pressures. Mine runs GREAT at 38 which is 2 psi over what they said to run them on my truck (tire pressure should be based on your own specific truck weight, not what others run)

It’s got to be your max tow springs. Mine rides and handles so much better. First with just the shocks and now with the LE Rubicon take off springs.
Mine are E load and ride, handle and are wearing great at 33 psi.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It’s got to be your max tow springs. Mine rides and handles so much better. First with just the shocks and now with the LE Rubicon take off springs.
Mine are E load and ride, handle and are wearing great at 33 psi.

As my truck sits now, and the last 3 times I drove it -
Stock rear springs
Stock rear shocks
Tires at 37 psi at 60-65 degrees (last check today)
Lightest pair of Rubicon springs up front
Fox (Rubicon) shocks up front.
Front bumper put back to stock.
Rides and handles about the best it ever has. Steering is better than it was with the weight on the front and the max tow springs and rubicon rear shocks.
It will be interesting to see how it does 100% back to stock.
When I pull out of the garage now I don't have that rear-end bounce as it dropped that 3/4" from the garage floor to the driveway.

 

[SKUSWILLY’s]

2021 Willy’s here, i set cruise at 70 and grab a drink and snack and turn up the road tunes. After 11,000+ miles willy is a smooth machine on the high way at 70mph or less. Now 75+ I’m personally not comfortable with how he wonders and gets a little loos. Tire pressure for me is 39. And those firestones just howl like my trucks did in high school. I don’t need to do 75-90 on the interstate in a truck and I’m not going to. But hey if you want to its cool. Took me some road time to learn Willy’s highway characteristic.

 

[SKUSWILLY’s]

Unrelated, but how the hell does a Willys have the same MSRP as my Overland and be missing several options I have. Have prices gone up several thousand dollars in two years?

in My area JT are up $5,000-$10,000 over last year.

 

[Outside Reality Check]

My stock JT RUBI was really jumpy on the highway. First Jeep, but I heard they handle the way they handle, fine by me. Drove off the lot on Falken M/T's with tire pressure at 40psi. I got pushed around by big rigs like a paper cup, and every bump in the road was an adventure in crisis management. When I set the psi to 32 it got way better. With a lift, tires, and other mods she drives rock solid. I figure road manners is not the focus of intense research, (thankfully). There's a lot of good info in this forum, research, and find what works.

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