2023 GLADIATOR RUBICON WITH BED CAMPER (STOCK SUSPENSION) SIDE TO SIDE SWAY/ROCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

[Ventrejoe4]

I RECENTLY ADDED A BED CAMPER TO MY OVERLAND BUILD AND HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED ANY ISSUES DRIVING UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER. THE JEEP STARTS TO SWAY/ROCK LEFT TO RIGHT ONCE I REACH SPEEDS OF 55+ MPH, IF I CONTINUE AT THAT SPEED THE SWAY/ROCKING GETS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT LEFT/RIGHT TIRE WILL HIT/RUB ON THE FENDER. I UNDERSTAND THE WEIGHT MAY BE AN ISSUE BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING GRADUATLY WORSE AND WORSE. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE? IS THERE SPECFIC PARTS I SHOULD CHECK?

*STOCK SUSPENSION*
*35 INCH K02 TIRES ON 17 INCH FUEL COVERT WHEELS*
*WEIGHT IN BED WITH DRAWERS/CAMPER AROUND 600-800LBS*

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[Mr._Bill]

Similar complaints seem common for the Rubicon. I would start with the shocks.

 

[smlobx]

Shocks, springs and sway bar...

 

[Ventrejoe4]

Shocks, springs and sway bar...

THE WEIRD THING IS, THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T SHAKE, THE BODY JUST ROLLS/SWAYS MORE AND MORE AGGRESIVELY. LEFT TO RIGHT. I GUESS UPGRADES ARE NEEDED BUT STOCK SUSPENSION SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD UP WITH THIS WEIGHT FOR MORE THEN 3,000 MILES.

 

[Mr._Bill]

It seems that one of the biggest complaints about the stock Rubicon is the soft suspension. Many put a lift kit on, which changes out the shocks. You're packing a fair amount of weight. If it's top heavy, it will exaggerate the side to side sway. I would be looking at a set of Bilstein reservoir shocks.

 

[Ventrejoe4]

It seems that one of the biggest complaints about the stock Rubicon is the soft suspension. Many put a lift kit on, which changes out the shocks. You're packing a fair amount of weight. If it's top heavy, it will exaggerate the side to side sway. I would be looking at a set of Bilstein reservoir shocks.

I PURCHASED FALCON 3.3S ALREADY, WAITING ON THE CLAYTON LIFT KIT TO COME IN NOW. I WANTED TO FIX THE SWAY ISSUE BEFORE INSTALLING AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NOW I'M NOT USRE IF THATS POSSIBLE.

 

[Gladiatorx2]

I agree on the shocks. On my Rubicon I loved the ride quality. It was smooth on the road and same on trails. However the side to side rocking motion was terrible! My weight was 5470 the one time that I weighed. The Rubicon had 37's. Interesting that my Max Tow Sport S on near 35's with stock shocks has no rocking motion on or off road.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I PURCHASED FALCON 3.3S ALREADY, WAITING ON THE CLAYTON LIFT KIT TO COME IN NOW. I WANTED TO FIX THE SWAY ISSUE BEFORE INSTALLING AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NOW I'M NOT USRE IF THATS POSSIBLE.

Since you're going to lift it and add new shocks, any money spent now to try and fix it would just be wasted. Get the lift and new shocks on, and then see where you're at. Just drive careful in the meantime, you don't want to end up on your side somewhere.

 

[Ventrejoe4]

Since you're going to lift it and add new shocks, any money spent now to try and fix it would just be wasted. Get the lift and new shocks on, and then see where you're at. Just drive careful in the meantime, you don't want to end up on your side somewhere.

100% agree, commuter truck too so hopefully nothing gives.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

Similar complaints seem common for the Rubicon. I would start with the shocks.

Yup. I am having the same issue, but at speeds above 65. The main thing I notice is under heavy acceleration it is bad. Drop the speed and it stops. Also, I see a direct corelation with the right lane of highways, the ruts that the big rigs create will induce the rocking too.

I aim for the middle of the road, and it settles down.

 

[kb5zcr]

With that much weight in the bed, may think about some airbags. Cheap and easy.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I RECENTLY ADDED A BED CAMPER TO MY OVERLAND BUILD AND HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED ANY ISSUES DRIVING UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER. THE JEEP STARTS TO SWAY/ROCK LEFT TO RIGHT ONCE I REACH SPEEDS OF 55+ MPH, IF I CONTINUE AT THAT SPEED THE SWAY/ROCKING GETS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT LEFT/RIGHT TIRE WILL HIT/RUB ON THE FENDER. I UNDERSTAND THE WEIGHT MAY BE AN ISSUE BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING GRADUATLY WORSE AND WORSE. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE? IS THERE SPECFIC PARTS I SHOULD CHECK?

*STOCK SUSPENSION*
*35 INCH K02 TIRES ON 17 INCH FUEL COVERT WHEELS*
*WEIGHT IN BED WITH DRAWERS/CAMPER AROUND 600-800LBS*

I'd check your swaybar endlinks, track bar and shocks. Shocks should be fine because you have the red bodies but i could see constant 600lb payload being too much for em. swaybar end link frame tabs in the rear are notoriously weak and I've seen endlinks literally just rip right off. MC makes a repair/reinforcement bracket for that issue. We've also need rear track bars come loose. I've never seen one lose its bolt but i have seen it come loose enough to cause a nasty rear shimmy/sway.

 

[Ventrejoe4]

******* UPDATE *******

WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL HARD AND MOVE FOWARD/REVERSE I HEAR A POPPING/ CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT NOW.

 

[Rottwheeler]

From my personal experience, increased lift will exaggerate any sway problem you are having. Look into a Hellwig sway bar upgrade. While I haven't had any trouble with my JT, a Hellwig HD sway bar made a huge difference on my last full-size truck.

 

[Riding with Gladys]

THE WEIRD THING IS, THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T SHAKE, THE BODY JUST ROLLS/SWAYS MORE AND MORE AGGRESIVELY. LEFT TO RIGHT. I GUESS UPGRADES ARE NEEDED BUT STOCK SUSPENSION SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD UP WITH THIS WEIGHT FOR MORE THEN 3,000 MILES.

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