jtim
Active Member
John, thanks for the update. I'm following this, because I'll be in the same situation soon with a constant load, and I've been considering suspension options.Hey everyone, so I finally have an update... been waiting on AEV Borah wheels to finish this lift project.
I completed the Clayton lift with Falcon SP2 3.3 shocks and I am pleased with the results. As you know I am carrying roughly a 600lb constant load in the JTR at all times. As a reminder, I wanted a 2.5" lift that could support the weight without the use of spacers to supplement the rear springs. So I ended up with Clayton 2.5" front coils and Clayton 3.5" rear coils to support the constant load.
As it turns out, I actually netted MORE TOTAL lift than expected from Clayton Off Road's advertised lift height.
Clayton's 2.5" front coil = I gained slightly over 3.0" of total lift (no bumper/winch)
Clayton's 3.5" rear coil = netted 3.0" of total lift with 600lb constant load
Overall, I am sitting at more of a true 3.0" lift at each corner (despite looking higher in the front due to the Rubicon's high flare fenders). I am very pleased with the stance and actually hope the front comes down slightly with the new bumper/winch. The rear lower control arms are no longer "inverted" like with the OEM stock springs.
The Clayton springs are very supportive and seem to be tuned with more of a firm street ride and excellent off road ride, soaking up rocks and whoops without constantly relying on the bump stops. They seem to love the "bigger" hits and promote a little bit more speed in the wash boards.
Onto the Falcon SP2 3.3's.... which will draw the biggest debate I'm sure. I'll just get it out in the open, I like these shocks and do not feel that they are harsh. My shaft setting is twisted to "soft" and I run them on the #1 dial setting (soft) on the road. Yes, they are set on ALL SOFT for normal daily driving even with all my weight. Small bump compliance is good and cornering support is great. We drove all the CO mountain passes at the prescribed speed limits with little body roll and zero float out of the rear. Absolutely no more rear end bounce or cross wind sway like from the OEM suspension. My personal shock setting preference on-road is SOFT / SOFT to maintain a firmer than stock feel and planted ride in the corners. My guess it that with Clayton's higher spring rate and a firmer shock like Falcon that most people will go with ALL SOFT.
Off-road though is a different story with the Falcon's. I prefer a setting of 2.1 front and 2.4 rear when crawling thru the rocks and hitting off-camber sections (Engineer Pass in Ouray for example). The shocks felt better when stiffened up off road. The JT was less prone to the "slinky effect" when crawling over rocks where one side compresses and the other extends as the vehicle comes off rocks. After 5 hours of both Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass the shocks never felt like they were fading or giving up.
If you're still waiting on a negative comment about the Falcon's then here it is... I don't see a real world scenario where the PERFORMANCE shock shaft setting is needed... for me at least. I'm running Nitto RG's 37x12.5 @30psi and the SOFT shock shaft setting seems to provide all the support I need. Maybe these shocks are designed to pick up the slack of a soft spring? Maybe other gals/guys drive harder that I ever will to utilize the PERFORMANCE shaft setting?
For the overland crowd or people carrying more payload than most I hope this thread helps you out.
John
One question I have is with the Borah wheels, with high offset, do you have any rubbing or limited steering or suspension travel with the 37s?
Are you running the full Clayton 2.5" Overland lift (control arms, track bars, etc.), just with the 3.5" rear springs? How do you like the lift?
Have you regeared?
Jeep looks great, by the way.
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