Front spring help/recommendations

[millerju42]

Hello, looking for help with front spring recommendations. I have a 22 Willy’s gladiator gas. I currently have a 2.5” spacer in front with 3/4” spacer in rear. It sat close to level with a slight rake (perfect). However, after installing a steel front bumper and winch the front sagged and feels soft. Looking for a stiffer spring that’ll get me back to the stance I had. I originally ordered Clayton’s 2.5” front coil springs with the thought of just taking out the front spacers but it sounds like they will lift the front end too much. I’m thinking maybe Clayton’s 1.5” front coils or their .5 coils with a .5” spacer. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated

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[Gvsukids]

Hello, looking for help with front spring recommendations. I have a 22 Willy’s gladiator gas. I currently have a 2.5” spacer in front with 3/4” spacer in rear. It sat close to level with a slight rake (perfect). However, after installing a steel front bumper and winch the front sagged and feels soft. Looking for a stiffer spring that’ll get me back to the stance I had. I originally ordered Clayton’s 2.5” front coil springs with the thought of just taking out the front spacers but it sounds like they will lift the front end too much. I’m thinking maybe Clayton’s 1.5” front coils or their .5 coils with a .5” spacer. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated

Yep. You will have to find what works for you. I've gone through four differing springs up front try to find the right ride quality. The 1.5 would be a good start. You can always add a spacer if you need a little bit more.

 

[millerju42]

Thanks. That makes sense! I spoke with Clayton and they told me their springs are underrated by about 1/2” so the 1.5” should give about 2”. If I need to add a half inch spacer for height I still have the improved ride quality of stiffer springs. I Just don’t want to find myself nose high like I probably would with the 2.5” springs

 

[Gizmo]

3" synergy springs got me back to the same height my MOPAR lift kit springs were before I added my steel bumper and winch

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

3" synergy springs got me back to the same height my MOPAR lift kit springs were before I added my steel bumper and winch

So you lost about an inch? I was considering these and the Clayton 2.5”.

 

[Gizmo]

Id say I lost closer to 3/4” with winch and bumper The MOPAR springs gave me about 2 3/4 inch lift and the Synergy put me back to 2 3/4” after the new bumper and winch was installed. Later I later added a .5 inch spacer to that. I hate Spacers so eventually started the spring thing all over again as I wanted a little more lift being its a Max Tow with the lower front fenders so I went with synergy 4” front and 3” rear. I am finally satisfied. Now Im back to playing with shocks.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Cool. Just so you know I’m using all you and your experiences so I don’t make the same mistakes.

 

[Gizmo]

I spent a fair amount of money experimenting but so much of this stuff is subjective. That said i just do my own experimenting because if you dont you never really know “ how good good is ”. Ive never been one to say thats how a lifted jeep is or its good enough. I guess thats why I am never quite finished.

 

[john67]

This is from another post I did on the same topic ...

On my 2022 Rubicon Diesel with an aluminum front bumper and a 16.5 lb Waren winch with metal cable – so I have a “heavy” front end…, I installed the Metalcloak Springs #7609, Lower control arms 7601 and the 5100 Bilstein Shocks (shocks on front #33-305219 & rear #33-304854), the Bilstein steering stabilizer and the Mopar sway bar links part # 68306981AB (from the Mopar 2” lift kit – the links are 7.5” center bolt to center bolt).

I adjusted the lower control arms to 24 ¼ inches – stock was 24”

Springs & lower Control Arms only on front = the result is a 2.5" lift that basically leveled the Gladiator (front still about 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower in the front than the rear than the rear)

To measure front vs rear height - measure from your rock sliders under the doors - this is the only "level" item to base a measurement from ....

Oh - use the Metalcloak Bump Stop #7074 kit as these use a 1" "puck" so you can raise or lower your bump stop without removing the coil springs .. Very important !

Important installation issues:

• My stock Rubicon front coils springs were about 17/18 inches long – the Metalcloak #7609 springs are almost 22” – I had to but a coil spring compressor from Harbor Freight – Very easy to use and I compressed nw springs to 17” then they went right in place and was easy to “set” in proper rotation for upper and lower coil spring seat. Just be careful where you place the spring compressors so not in the way of seating the spring in proper place.
• Be sure to set the lower control arms in the proper position for the tire clearance – also the rear control arm bussing needs to be in the proper position/alignment to be in alignment with the front bushing
• I didn't rush it I did the install over Saturday & Sunday in my driveway - then did a front end alignment on Mondy.

Have the weight of the jeep on the tires before you torque all bolts to avoid wabble.

My stock "fake" Fox shocks were blown - oil leaked out ... due to weight of the diesel and the winch I bottomed out a few times - this is what drove me to do the replacement front springs.
Also, I run 33" tires no problem - I believe I could go to 35 with no problem, I may go to 35" but I would not go 35X12 as the 12 are too wide - I do not see a benefit to going that wide.

 

[Stan H]

This is from another post I did on the same topic ...

On my 2022 Rubicon Diesel with an aluminum front bumper and a 16.5 lb Waren winch with metal cable – so I have a “heavy” front end…, I installed the Metalcloak Springs #7609, Lower control arms 7601 and the 5100 Bilstein Shocks (shocks on front #33-305219 & rear #33-304854), the Bilstein steering stabilizer and the Mopar sway bar links part # 68306981AB (from the Mopar 2” lift kit – the links are 7.5” center bolt to center bolt).

I adjusted the lower control arms to 24 ¼ inches – stock was 24”

Springs & lower Control Arms only on front = the result is a 2.5" lift that basically leveled the Gladiator (front still about 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower in the front than the rear than the rear)

To measure front vs rear height - measure from your rock sliders under the doors - this is the only "level" item to base a measurement from ....

Oh - use the Metalcloak Bump Stop #7074 kit as these use a 1" "puck" so you can raise or lower your bump stop without removing the coil springs .. Very important !

Important installation issues:

• My stock Rubicon front coils springs were about 17/18 inches long – the Metalcloak #7609 springs are almost 22” – I had to but a coil spring compressor from Harbor Freight – Very easy to use and I compressed nw springs to 17” then they went right in place and was easy to “set” in proper rotation for upper and lower coil spring seat. Just be careful where you place the spring compressors so not in the way of seating the spring in proper place.
• Be sure to set the lower control arms in the proper position for the tire clearance – also the rear control arm bussing needs to be in the proper position/alignment to be in alignment with the front bushing
• I didn't rush it I did the install over Saturday & Sunday in my driveway - then did a front end alignment on Mondy.

Have the weight of the jeep on the tires before you torque all bolts to avoid wabble.

My stock "fake" Fox shocks were blown - oil leaked out ... due to weight of the diesel and the winch I bottomed out a few times - this is what drove me to do the replacement front springs.
Also, I run 33" tires no problem - I believe I could go to 35 with no problem, I may go to 35" but I would not go 35X12 as the 12 are too wide - I do not see a benefit to going that wide.

I had the same trouble with my Factory Fox"fake" shocks . 3 out of 4 were blown and leaking. I dont know about ypur specific experience but mine was used extensively on back roads and off road and by 37-40k they was toast. Bad thing is I had to run around for alot more miles with those bouncy pieces of crap before I was able to eliminate them

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