Gladiator Diesel Bottoming Out Poll - Let’s get some numbers here.

[Rusty PW]

I got a set of springs from Clayton Offroad for testing. If the weather is good on Friday. I should have them installed. And I'll report back.

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[ajkaz]

Just an update on my 22JTRD, just hit 750 miles, I've conquered many speed bumps faster than I normally would, hit expansion joints, dips and gutters, also I have to drive over an 8" curb with the passenger wheel to get into my driveway because the cut out is too narrow, no bottoming out yet.

I have 2.75" of up travel in the front from the bump pad until the foam stop contacts. Then maybe 3/8" of foam until the gray plastic cone would hit the metal pad.

The passenger front spring is a 6377AA - Couldn't find a part # on the shock, wow the shocks are well done with heavy duty roost shields and everything, impressive!

 

[PackMule]

Spacer lifts don't typically fix the problem, because in addition to adding spacers on the top, they add spacers onto the axel strike plate as well, so it doesn't really add to travel, just changes the surface that comes in contact with the lip.

Adding a true lift... e.g. Mopar or other manufacturers', fixes or at least improves the situation greatly. (One owners of 2" lift said he still bottom out, but under much tougher conditions than before). RockKrawler has a 1.5" leveling kit for Gas Gladiators that include taller front springs. The diesel specific version is due soon.

If you are planning on adding winch and bumper, (and I'd then infer that you are planning on taking it off pavement) then in my opinion you'll have to lift it. The Mopar lift might be enough, but you might still get some contact after you add weight. AEV's 2.5" dualsport has a diesel specific springs. Clayton Off Road states they'll have 2.5" diesel springs by next month, which will likely be firmer than either the Mopar or AEV springs.

It is a bit sad that the "Trail Rated" moniker isn't really true on a stock diesel JT because of the suspension. If you are going to drive off pavement, you pretty much need to lift it.

Adding to the above, it looks like Clayton Off Road is planning on an updated front spring that roughly maintains the factory profile (e.g. not lifting much) but provides a higher spring rate At least one forum member is demoing a prototype of this now.

I gotta stay, Clayton Off Road is paying more attention to this issue than FCA!

 

[Rusty PW]

Adding to the above, it looks like Clayton Off Road is planning on an updated front spring that roughly maintains the factory profile (e.g. not lifting much) but provides a higher spring rate At least one forum member is demoing a prototype of this now.

I gotta stay, Clayton Off Road is paying more attention to this issue than FCA!

That member is me. Beta tester. Hopefully this Friday I should have them on.

 

[WhyNotJeep]

Didn't read all 20 pages ,,, but,, TeraFlex and MetalCloak both make a larger progressive bump stop that might band-aid the issue. When I touch the suspension I'll be adding the TF ones.

 

[PackMule]

That member is me. Beta tester. Hopefully this Friday I should have them on.

Good on you!

Hopefully this Friday I'll be one of the first with the 2.5" diesel specific Clayton front springs on my rig, so we can give folks some feedback on both.

Seems Clayton is coming to the front with solutions much faster than FCA is.

 

[PackMule]

Good on you!

Hopefully this Friday I'll be one of the first with the 2.5" diesel specific Clayton front springs on my rig, so we can give folks some feedback on both.

Seems Clayton is coming to the front with solutions much faster than FCA is.

To be fair, AEV has had 2.5" diesel specific springs for a while.... just need to buy Bilstein shocks with them too.

 

[PackMule]

That member is me. Beta tester. Hopefully this Friday I should have them on.

Thanks to quick work by Clayton, I now have the 2.5" diesel specific front springs installed. They actually Fed Ex'd the springs to me the day after they got them from their suppliers. VERY responsive, (Thanks Adam, James, Devin).

To report, they are significantly stiffer than stock. I went from 34's to 37's at the same time and with the tires+lift I gained about 5 1/2" in front and 4 1/2" in back... so subtracting for the tire size, the lift gave me about 4" in front and 3" in back vs. saggy stock springs. I would have no problem running a steel bumper and winch on these with 37's.

I've got them paired with Fox 2.5 Elite/Performance remote resi adjustable shocks, so I'm dialing in the damping on them now. Looks like unloaded having the high-speed and low-speed damping at about 5 or 6 gives a good ride on the road. If I hook up my ~4k lb trailer I have to dial the rears up 9 do dampen the bobbing (note: I also have sumo springs). But with load leveling hitch, and sumos, I only have about a 3/4" to 1" drop in the rear when towing... just enough to engage the sumos.

Kinda weird, I went driving around LOOKING for potholes and washboards to drive on to check out the performance.... instead of AVOIDING them!

Full suspension mod list: Clayton Overland 2.5" lift, BFG KM2 37", Method 705 +25mm offset bead-grip wheels, Fox 2.5 Performance/Elite remote resi adjustable shocks, EVO/King front air bumps, sumo springs in rear.

In summary, the 2.5" lift targets taking out some of the vehicle rake, and is remedying the saggy stock springs, so you end up getting 4" of lift vs. saggy stock.

I would guess one should expect to get probably 1-1.5" lift on their prototype "no-lift" front springs. That would be a good match if you are wanting to keep your tire size at 35" and below.

 

[Rusty PW]

Ok, I got the proto Clayton front springs installed today. Standing side by side. The clayton springs are an inch taller. Same number of coils. Wire diameter for stock was 0.593. The Clayton's was 0.553. Last picture is what the '22 bump stops look like.

 

[22EcoDs]

Ok, I got the proto Clayton front springs installed today. Standing side by side. The clayton springs are an inch taller. Same number of coils. Wire diameter for stock was 0.593. The Clayton's was 0.553. Last picture is what the '22 bump stops look like.

So stock was thicker coils? Interesting.

 

[Rusty PW]

With the new coils installed. The front is up 1 inch, and the ride is a bit firmer. The wifey didn't notice the difference as a passenger.

 

[james2021dieselglad]

Still no word or fix for non Rubicon users.

 

[PackMule]

With the new coils installed. The front is up 1 inch, and the ride is a bit firmer. The wifey didn't the difference as a passenger.

wify didn't ... "like", or "notice" the difference?

Wify's are important.

 

[Rusty PW]

wify didn't ... "like", or "notice" the difference?

Wify's are important.

She didn't notice the difference. Ooops.

 

[PackMule]

She didn't notice the difference. Ooops.

I'm taking that as a good thing.

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