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How bouncy is normal for a Rubicon?

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I just got my JTR last weekend and I'm loving it so far.

I've read that the rear suspension is generally a little too soft which I have definitely noticed.

I wanted to live with it for at least a week to decide if I should address the suspension or if I would get used to it, but coming from my WJ it's significantly more harsh.

If I push down on the bumpers, especially in the back the truck will bob 2 or 3 times before settling which with most vehicles is a clear sign of fading shocks, but given how many people say it's a little soft when new makes me wonder how much of that is just the nature of a JTR. My truck has 70k miles on it so I'm sure the shocks could very well need to be changed depending on how it was driven by the previous owner (it looks like it was a highway queen, it has zero pinstripes and no scratches at all that I could see underneath).

So TLDR, is it normal for a JTR to bounce a bit when pushing down on the bumpers?
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Jchap1987

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As long is there’s only an inch of tire bounce between the road and tire, you are in normal specs.
 

Minty JL

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70,000 miles on oem Fox shocks. Time for new shocks.
I was going to say the same thing. 40-50k is the norm before replacement. If still at stock height I'd go with Bilstein 5100s
 
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That's unfortunate, but kind of what I figured given my WJ has a cheap 2" lift with RC rear shocks...

I was planning on finding some Mojave takeoffs in the future, still deciding if it's worth it.

Might get some reasonably cheap shocks to hold me over for a year or two though, got other stuff I'd rather put money towards.

Thanks for the feedback!
 

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Rusty PW

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That's unfortunate, but kind of what I figured given my WJ has a cheap 2" lift with RC rear shocks...

I was planning on finding some Mojave takeoffs in the future, still deciding if it's worth it.

Might get some reasonably cheap shocks to hold me over for a year or two though, got other stuff I'd rather put money towards.

Thanks for the feedback!
Mojave shocks uses bigger mounting bolts. So you would have to drill out the mounting holes. Think you go from 12mm to 14mm.
 
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Mojave shocks uses bigger mounting bolts. So you would have to drill out the mounting holes. Think you go from 12mm to 14mm.
Yeah, I saw a few people making sleeves to make them work. Idk if it's worth the effort doing more research, seems like they wear out pretty quick too.

I ordered some Rancho RS7MT shocks, I like the idea a solid linear damping monotube given the amount of rough dirt roads I drive on.

I'll make a post of my general impressions once I get them on, unfortunately I have nothing to compare them against with a gladiator other than the other trucks I test drove before buying mine.
 

culdbbi

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Mojave shocks are pretty soft. And they call for rebuilding at 50k. I was lucky to find a guy an hour away that was rebuilding fox shocks for Ford Raptors, so he was able to do mine, but had to add a shrader valve. I bought a set of take offs so I can swap them out and not be without my truck.

I would say save up for what you want.
 
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Mojave shocks are pretty soft. And they call for rebuilding at 50k. I was lucky to find a guy an hour away that was rebuilding fox shocks for Ford Raptors, so he was able to do mine, but had to add a shrader valve. I bought a set of take offs so I can swap them out and not be without my truck.

I would say save up for what you want.
I appreciate the input!

I'll see how the Ranchos feel, from what little I've found they look pretty good for what I'm looking for.

I've always liked going down the path less travelled, especially with stuff that most opinions aren't formed with 1st hand experience of products. For example, everyone craps on rough country and says they're super stiff... But I found that the n3 shocks I put on my WJ were actually very comfortable on rough roads and a bit floaty on pavement with my 2.5" fat bob's garage lift springs.

I've had those for 2 years now and highly recommend them as a cheap shock.
 

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I have a 2020 JTR Launch Edition with 58,000 miles and it came with the Fox factory shocks. I hated the soft bouncy ride I got with those Shocks. I found a set of the Red 2024 JT Rubicon shocks on Marketplace for $50.00 and they only had 500 miles on them. sold my others for $100.00. Way better ride and seems planted now.
 

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I have a 2020 JTR Launch Edition with 58,000 miles and it came with the Fox factory shocks. I hated the soft bouncy ride I got with those Shocks. I found a set of the Red 2024 JT Rubicon shocks on Marketplace for $50.00 and they only had 500 miles on them. sold my others for $100.00. Way better ride and seems planted now.
.

Nice.

I almost got a launch edition myself, it was nearly the same OTD as what I got my JTR for, but it was black and had some gaudy red wheels on it and I knew I'd never keep it from looking scratched all to hell.

I'm sure I'll be regretting not having adaptive cruise when I go on my next road trip, but I'm fortunate enough to only use the highway probably twice a year.
 

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Stock Rubicon is under sprung and the shocks are too soft for everyday road travel.
 

freakin_elrod

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Yeah, I saw a few people making sleeves to make them work. Idk if it's worth the effort doing more research, seems like they wear out pretty quick too.

I ordered some Rancho RS7MT shocks, I like the idea a solid linear damping monotube given the amount of rough dirt roads I drive on.

I'll make a post of my general impressions once I get them on, unfortunately I have nothing to compare them against with a gladiator other than the other trucks I test drove before buying mine.
I have the RS7MT's on my Overland and they are pretty decent. They soak up a lot of the rough stuff offroad fairly well, and aren't floaty like OEM is on pavement. Definitely a great bang for the buck that I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with.
 
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Figured I'd go ahead and update.

I changed our my rears first cause I suspected they were the main problem and that definitely made a big difference. Unfortunately it also made me realize the fronts were nearly as bad. More unfortunately apparently there is a nationwide backorder for the stock height front RS7MT shocks right now.

Rather than waiting I got some RC N3s for the front since I had good luck with them in the past for my WJ.

The truck rides far better now. Definitely much less bouncy, though the rebound on the N3s definitely isn't as well suited for the JT as if seems to be for my WJ, so once I can find those RS7MTs for the front in stock I'll probably pick them up.

Anyway, first(ish) impression of this setup is that for what I paid (under $200 for the whole setup) I'm very happy.
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