Improve factory suspension without lift? Possible?

[Renegade]

I appreciate the advice!
When I say improve, I mean the rebound/bounce after going over road inconsistencies. I feel like the shocks do a good job handling imperfections (my brain isnt rattled in my skull over potholes).
Where Id like to improve is in the uneven pavement aspect. Going over high or low spots in asphalt leaves me bouncing around for a while afterwards

Sounds like too much air pressure in the tires to me. What are you running?

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[sdk131]

The factory fox shocks on the rubi's are truly just a budget end shock witha fox sticker. They are not at all equivalent to the fox shocks in the mopar lift. On top of that the rubi springs are a touch softer. A great option might be the bilstein 5100s mentioned above. They tend to firm things up a good but and folks have commented how they will quickly get the motion under control after a bump is hit. I have a spoort S w/ max tow (basic oem shocks but stiffer springs from the factory) and I personally felt mine was much more "controlled/sporty/planted" when driven on the road than my neighbors rubicon. His was more of that cadillac floating on clouds feel and seemed to have a lot of extra motion dealing with normal situations on the road. However, I am sure it would have been much smoother traveling down dirt roads or trails at higher speeds than mine.

 

[BAT]

I put Rubicon take off shocks on my Sport S assuming they would be a big improvement. I have not found that to be the case and will eventually be in the market for some new upgraded shocks.

 

[dcmdon]

I appreciate the advice!
When I say improve, I mean the rebound/bounce after going over road inconsistencies. I feel like the shocks do a good job handling imperfections (my brain isnt rattled in my skull over potholes).
Where Id like to improve is in the uneven pavement aspect. Going over high or low spots in asphalt leaves me bouncing around for a while afterwards

This is where the art of suspension tuning comes into play. Softer shocks make for good compliance to bumps.

Stiffer shocks do a better job controlling body motion after bumps.

Its always been a trade off until shocks with separate low and high speed circuits were developed. I know absolutely nothing about our Jeep's factory shocks. So I can't comment about that. But at the least you need something with stiffer rebound damping to better control body motions.

Sounds like too much air pressure in the tires to me. What are you running?

Too much tire pressure would most likely make for harshness over bumps. That's not really his complaint.

 

[Renegade]

Too much tire pressure would most likely make for harshness over bumps. That's not really his complaint.

Yes, more harshness, and also more actual impact-force being applied to the suspension system due to the tire not compressing and absorbing some of the impact. Why not eliminate that as a contributor before jumping to adding/swapping suspension parts? Free improvements are the best improvements.

 

[dcmdon]

Yes, more harshness, and also more actual impact-force being applied to the suspension system due to the tire not compressing and absorbing some of the impact. Why not eliminate that as a contributor before jumping to adding/swapping suspension parts? Free improvements are the best improvements.

Free and simple improvements are always the best. So sure. lower the pressure and see if it helps. Its free.

But the question comes down to whether you want the compliance in the tires or in the suspension. The answer is that you want the compliance to come from whatever place has the most effective damping. And in theory, that should be the suspension, not the tires.

But like you so astutely pointed out. Lowering the pressure is free. So its worth a shot.

 

[arthurvanderlinde]

Yes, more harshness, and also more actual impact-force being applied to the suspension system due to the tire not compressing and absorbing some of the impact. Why not eliminate that as a contributor before jumping to adding/swapping suspension parts? Free improvements are the best improvements.

Free and simple improvements are always the best. So sure. lower the pressure and see if it helps. Its free.

But the question comes down to whether you want the compliance in the tires or in the suspension. The answer is that you want the compliance to come from whatever place has the most effective damping. And in theory, that should be the suspension, not the tires.

But like you so astutely pointed out. Lowering the pressure is free. So its worth a shot.

Tire pressure was my first thought when I felt like I was bouncing around. I’m running 37 12.5r17 Ridge Grapplers and have ran the same stretch of road at every PSI from 24-35. I’ve really not noticed a difference worth mentioning

 

[arthurvanderlinde]

The factory fox shocks on the rubi's are truly just a budget end shock witha fox sticker. They are not at all equivalent to the fox shocks in the mopar lift. On top of that the rubi springs are a touch softer. A great option might be the bilstein 5100s mentioned above. They tend to firm things up a good but and folks have commented how they will quickly get the motion under control after a bump is hit. I have a spoort S w/ max tow (basic oem shocks but stiffer springs from the factory) and I personally felt mine was much more "controlled/sporty/planted" when driven on the road than my neighbors rubicon. His was more of that cadillac floating on clouds feel and seemed to have a lot of extra motion dealing with normal situations on the road. However, I am sure it would have been much smoother traveling down dirt roads or trails at higher speeds than mine.

Thanks for the input! I just finished the AEV 3.5” on my wrangler. It includes 5100 (although AEV tuned) so I may drive that around for a while and see how they feel

 

[arthurvanderlinde]

The front pair actually came in today and I put them on. Still waiting for the rear. So far I immediately noticed the back ends tendency to bounce when backing off my driveway. The front end dips once and stays put. They are stiffer, but I feel they handle the sharp imperfections (jolts) in the road better. I'm starting to think that the factory Fox shocks arent the same as the 2.0s that everyone loves. If anyone has info on that let me know. So far I'm happy with my purchase but I'm still running half and half until the rears get here lol.

I noticed the Bilstiens were a hair longer than the Foxs also. Not enough to make any difference I'm sure. Just passing on what I learned. Fox was lighter as well.

Thanks for your feedback! I’m starting to lean towards the 5100. Even if it doesn’t “fix” my problem, I’m sure they’ll at least make it better. Let me know what you think when you finish the set!

 

[arthurvanderlinde]

This is where the art of suspension tuning comes into play. Softer shocks make for good compliance to bumps.

Stiffer shocks do a better job controlling body motion after bumps.

Its always been a trade off until shocks with separate low and high speed circuits were developed. I know absolutely nothing about our Jeep's factory shocks. So I can't comment about that. But at the least you need something with stiffer rebound damping to better control body motions.



Too much tire pressure would most likely make for harshness over bumps. That's not really his complaint.

So you’re thinking I could solve/at least improve my “problem” with shocks alone? I wouldn’t need to bring springs into play?

 

[Awhitebuff]

I have a diesel and added the Bilsteins. They are stiffer and eliminated my front end bottoming out and the rear from excessive bounce. Since I have a few trailers I'll be towing I added Timbrens to help the springs with the added weight. Had them in all winter and am happy with the ride. Just be aware that it will ride more like a small truck then a car but that is what it should IMO.
Let me also add that I bought this Jeep mostly for the road. Not planning on much off road. If you plan on doing both I would probably go with a small lift and another suspension solution.

 

[dcmdon]

So you’re thinking I could solve/at least improve my “problem” with shocks alone? I wouldn’t need to bring springs into play?

You said that the truck continues to bounce a bit after you hit the bump.

Stiffer springs will decrease the amplitude of the bounce.

Stiffer shocks will decrease the amplitude a bit, but more importantly will make it so it "quiets" down after one cycle.

I haven't driven your truck so I'm only going by what you have said.

Shocks will cost hundreds. Bags will cost $100. So it might be worth seeing if bags help first.

 

[Andy29847]

So you’re thinking I could solve/at least improve my “problem” with shocks alone? I wouldn’t need to bring springs into play?

Springs are mostly about ride height. Shocks are mostly about ride control. Tires fit in the handling equation in a narrow range. All three affect handling, but I would spend my money on shocks. Having said that, finding the right shock for your truck and intended usage might be a test. Getting a shock company to custom tune a shock to your needs is harder and more expensive than it used to be.

 

[MaysvilleStig]

Thanks for your feedback! I’m starting to lean towards the 5100. Even if it doesn’t “fix” my problem, I’m sure they’ll at least make it better. Let me know what you think when you finish the set!

I have had the whole set on for about week now and I would say it's a definite improvement. Less body roll and more controlled rebound dampening. They are stiffer overall than the Fox's but in a good way. I know ride characteristics are always subjective but I prefer the way it handles now.

 

[DirkG]

I've swapped out shocks in several of my other vehicles, but never in a Jeep. I've been following this thread closely as I've been kicking around Bilstein 5100s as well.

If I just swapped out my stock Sport S shocks for 5100s, would it raise my truck a bit? Would I need to worry about springs at all? Or can I just do a straight swap?

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