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

[Riding with Gladys]

In addition to the weight you have changed the center of gravity. More weight up high is more likely to start a sway/oscillation under certain conditions that once it starts will continue to worsen. If you were purely overweight you should see some sag in the rear. If that isn't the case than I would say see what you can do to get more weight down lower. Or stiffen your suspension in some way. Try not to make it any taller if you can help it.

Sponsored

 

[kevman65]

You may have to look into something like this. Not cheap, and I believe other things have to change too.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...MIkK3Em82ViAMV9Z9aBR0GWTnIEAQYAyABEgJA3vD_BwE

 

[WILDHOBO]

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.

Stock rubicon suspension isn’t strong. It’s squishy. You can absolutely kill stock rubicon springs and shocks with that much weight. That suspension isn’t meant for that weight, and easily will fail in very few miles. Take one of your rear shocks off and check how easy it is to compress it by hand. If it’s easy, they’re shot.

 

[WILDHOBO]

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.

It’s not. You’ll resolve the issue by getting rid of those springs and shocks. They can’t handle that weight.

 

[Jim Dandy]

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

Agree
I have a sport with a harker camper 300 to 350 lbs plus all the stuff inside. I had bad seating. Added airbags rear and it helped

 

[Jim Dandy]

Agree
I have a sport with a harker camper 300 to 350 lbs plus all the stuff inside. I had bad seating. Added airbags rear and it helped

Bad swaying

 

[WILDHOBO]

Agree
I have a sport with a harker camper 300 to 350 lbs plus all the stuff inside. I had bad seating. Added airbags rear and it helped

Air bags don’t fix weak suspension for heavy loads. They’re a band aid. That’s why they’re cheap.

 

[BourbonRunner]

1. Take your truck as it sits with a full load to the closest scale. Get a front and rear axle weight.

2. Take that info to an outfit like King and have them spec what you need for your specific rig, needs, etc. They can tell you the shocks and springs and then have a good off road shop do the work.

The key is to dial in the right set of shocks and springs that work for YOU specifically.

With grabbing random lift kits, etc and trying to cobble something together you might get lucky but I'd always rather be safe and solid than lucky. There are many folks here who have done exactly that.

You can build a custom suspension for a lot less than you realize. Won't be cheap but it will work for you and be safe. Buy once, cry once.

 

[WILDHOBO]

1. Take your truck as it sits with a full load to the closest scale. Get a front and rear axle weight.

2. Take that info to an outfit like King and have them spec what you need for your specific rig, needs, etc. They can tell you the shocks and springs and then have a good off road shop do the work.

The key is to dial in the right set of shocks and springs that work for YOU specifically.

With grabbing random lift kits, etc and trying to cobble something together you might get lucky but I'd always rather be safe and solid than lucky. There are many folks here who have done exactly that.

You can build a custom suspension for a lot less than you realize. Won't be cheap but it will work for you and be safe. Buy once, cry once.

Agreed except for king. They’re great, but need fast rebuilds. Fine for racers. Annoying for the normal driver that expects their shocks to last a little while.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Air bags don’t fix weak suspension for heavy loads. They’re a band aid. That’s why they’re cheap.

I only use airbags to level my truck out when towing. That an occasionally get a little bit of squat out if I'm running a bit heavy for a camping trip. And that's all its good for. A constant static load needs a respring, no question. besides what are you gonna do when that bag blows and its a key part of your setup to make it drivable. Why make such a cheap Band-Aid your Achille's heel? At least that's how i look at it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I only use airbags to level my truck out when towing. That an occasionally get a little bit of squat out if I'm running a bit heavy for a camping trip. And that's all its good for. A constant static load needs a respring, no question. besides what are you gonna do when that bag blows and its a key part of your setup to make it drivable. Why make such a cheap Band-Aid your Achille's heel? At least that's how i look at it.

Agreed. I have beefier springs to prevent the squat. The trade off is rake when light. But I like rake for departure angle anyway.

 

[Ventrejoe4]

Clayton’s 3.5 inch overland+ kit being installed on 09/12/24 with their HD triple rated rear springs ( 3.3 Falcons). Hopefully this does the trick !

 

[Ventrejoe4]

Parts have arrived

 

[GI Grandpa]

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 believe the Clayton kit will solve your problem as other kits designed for Overlanding are all designed to handle the weight your carrying and the stock suspension isn't. You may notice a slightly stiffer ride when you're rolling empty however.

 

[Ventrejoe4]

I believe the Clayton kit will solve your problem as other kits designed for Overlanding are all designed to handle the weight your carrying and the stock suspension isn't. You may notice a slightly stiffer ride when you're rolling empty however.

Think I should replace the front driveshaft with an Adam’s one ?

Sponsored