Floating at high speed

[TahoeJohnny]

I am at my wit's end. I have a stock 2020 Rubicon Gladiator with the only upgrade being 35-in Pro Comp tires put on by the dealer during pickup.
I have noticed it floats similar to a boat at high speed. It doesn't wander left and right and it is definitely not the death wobble. The more weight I have in the car, it gets incredibly bad with the up and down motion. Literally cannot do over 65 mph.
The dealer has actually been really good about replacing the steering absorber, and then they just recently replaced all the shocks and I'm having the same problem. I questioned if the tires were too soft so I ran them 8 psi higher, 8 PSI lower, and at the recommended. PSI. Didn't make a difference.
Has anybody else experienced this? I am not seeing a lot of other people complaining so I'm wondering if this is unique to me? By the way, I own several off-road Jeeps so I fully know I'm not going to ride smooth. But this is insanely bad.
I hate to invest in upgrading shocks if I don't know it's going to fix the issue, but I will upgrade if I know it will fix the issue. The Gladiator sees a little off-roading but will never do the Rubicon Trail, like I take my TJ for that. it runs fine, it's highway speed that's not tolerable.
Suggestions?

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[BUZZHEAD]

I have 2020 rubi 2 inch lift ,35 bfg .
Air pressure running at 35 lbs.
Dealer usually puts at 40 -45 big ride difference.

 

[TahoeJohnny]

I have 2020 rubi 2 inch lift ,35 bfg .
Air pressure running at 35 lbs.
Dealer usually puts at 40 -45 big ride difference.

One would think a higher air pressure would make a stiffer ride and a lower one would be mushy.

 

[BUZZHEAD]

One would think a higher air pressure would make a stiffer ride and a lower one would be mushy.

I was surprised the difference in tire pressure changing the complete ride on these vehicles . I always had two door wranglers up to 2019 I dont remember changing the tire pressure like I do on this glady .I hope you solve the issue .SHOCKS ?

 

[Jclow801]

That sounds to me like the steering box TSB.. Dealer should know about it.. They replace the aluminum box with what I understand is an iron/steel box. I am waiting on parts for mine. It's been 2 weeks now since diagnosis.

 

[rharr]

The ruby shocks are generally regarded as crap for highway. They have light rebound damping and that is what is giving you the floaty pogo feel. add in the extra weight of the 35's and your shocks can't keep up with the dampening efforts needed. Ruby springs are pretty soft too. Your added weight is making the springs compress and extend more as the jeep goes down the road. The added travel is creating more energy the shocks are trying to dampen but it's beyond their abilities.

Switch to some Bilstein 5100 if you are looking for a good budget option that won't break the bank. or you can talk with @CrazyCooter in nor cal, and have him set you up with a custom set up if you have money to spend.

 

[TahoeJohnny]

That sounds to me like the steering box TSB.. Dealer should know about it.. They replace the aluminum box with what I understand is an iron/steel box. I am waiting on parts for mine. It's been 2 weeks now since diagnosis.

I forgot to mention that yes they changed the steering box as well. But I think that would have resolved the wandering issue that other people are having, that I actually had very little of. Mine is up and down not left to right.

 

[Jclow801]

I forgot to mention that yes they changed the steering box as well. But I think that would have resolved the wandering issue that other people are having, that I actually had very little of. Mine is up and down not left to right.

That sounds like it would make me sick

 

[chorky]

I am at my wit's end. I have a stock 2020 Rubicon Gladiator with the only upgrade being 35-in Pro Comp tires put on by the dealer during pickup.
I have noticed it floats similar to a boat at high speed. It doesn't wander left and right and it is definitely not the death wobble. The more weight I have in the car, it gets incredibly bad with the up and down motion. Literally cannot do over 65 mph.
The dealer has actually been really good about replacing the steering absorber, and then they just recently replaced all the shocks and I'm having the same problem. I questioned if the tires were too soft so I ran them 8 psi higher, 8 PSI lower, and at the recommended. PSI. Didn't make a difference.
Has anybody else experienced this? I am not seeing a lot of other people complaining so I'm wondering if this is unique to me? By the way, I own several off-road Jeeps so I fully know I'm not going to ride smooth. But this is insanely bad.
I hate to invest in upgrading shocks if I don't know it's going to fix the issue, but I will upgrade if I know it will fix the issue. The Gladiator sees a little off-roading but will never do the Rubicon Trail, like I take my TJ for that. it runs fine, it's highway speed that's not tolerable.
Suggestions?

It sounds like you are referring to the general feel of the suspension - nothing to do with steering at all. Entirely the springs/shocks.

This is a very common comment on the Rubicon. It is generally regarded as under dampened, and too soft. This was done by Jeep to make it 'off road ready', unloaded. The more weight you have the worse it gets. Mine is like this as well but I am waiting to get it fully built before adding a lift to determine what my end weight will be.

Lots of threads on this topic. Basically, the fix is stiffer shocks, and/or, better springs. Even the MOPAR 2" lift is too soft for most who are crying any amount of weight.

 

[chorky]

Nothing the dealer can do will resolve this. It is the design of the Rubicon suspension. It is simply under dampened, and under sprung.

 

[TahoeJohnny]

I was surprised the difference in tire pressure changing the complete ride on these vehicles . I always had two door wranglers up to 2019 I dont remember changing the tire pressure like I do on this glady .I hope you solve the issue .SHOCKS ?

I am thinking it has to be shocks. I just don't understand why a lot of other people aren't having the same issue.

 

[TahoeJohnny]

It sounds like you are referring to the general feel of the suspension - nothing to do with steering at all. Entirely the springs/shocks.

This is a very common comment on the Rubicon. It is generally regarded as under dampened, and too soft. This was done by Jeep to make it 'off road ready', unloaded. The more weight you have the worse it gets. Mine is like this as well but I am waiting to get it fully built before adding a lift to determine what my end weight will be.

Lots of threads on this topic. Basically, the fix is stiffer shocks, and/or, better springs. Even the MOPAR 2" lift is too soft for most who are crying any amount of weight.

I am thinking you are right.

 

[TahoeJohnny]

The ruby shocks are generally regarded as crap for highway. They have light rebound damping and that is what is giving you the floaty pogo feel. add in the extra weight of the 35's and your shocks can't keep up with the dampening efforts needed. Ruby springs are pretty soft too. Your added weight is making the springs compress and extend more as the jeep goes down the road. The added travel is creating more energy the shocks are trying to dampen but it's beyond their abilities.

Switch to some Bilstein 5100 if you are looking for a good budget option that won't break the bank. or you can talk with @CrazyCooter in nor cal, and have him set you up with a custom set up if you have money to spend.

I will probably end up going with those Bilsteins. Looking at other shocks as well, but those are my leading choice.

 

[rharr]

I am thinking it has to be shocks. I just don't understand why a lot of other people aren't having the same issue.

A. A lot of folks do have the issue.

B. Halfs the folks here live on the east coast where speed limits are lower then speed limits on the west. so they don't get the same joy as us.

 

[rharr]

I will probably end up going with those Bilsteins. Looking at other shocks as well, but those are my leading choice.

Stick to a gas charged shock, avoid the twin tube stuff. I have rock crawler RRD shocks I like with good damping, rebuildable for a few extra bucks.

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