Improving the weight carrying capabilities of our overlanding Gladiators

[smlobx]

As I’m building out my Gladiator Overlanding rig I’ve notice the rear starting to sag a bit and figured that by the time I add another 300 pounds to what I already have done it would not be acceptable.

The solution? Airlift 1000# airbags!

It took about an hour and a half to complete the install and I was able to restore the Jeep to its original stance. I’ve installed the bigger brother of this kit (5000#) on my F-350 and have had it for 20+K miles without issue so this should last quite a while. The best part? It was only $100!

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[Mac]

What is the part number of the kit you used?

 

[Kevin_D]

Just remember that exceeding the GVWR, regardless of airbags, is still unsafely overloading the vehicle.

Kevin

 

[smlobx]

What is the part number of the kit you used?

Here ya go!

https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/jeep/gladiator/2020/4-wheel-drive/#l

 

[smlobx]

Just remember that exceeding the GVWR, regardless of airbags, is still unsafely overloading the vehicle.

Kevin

Yep I’m building the truck being extremely careful of the GVW. Hopefully I’ll still be under. The Rubicon has relatively soft springs and that’s the reason for the modification.

 

[WhatExit?]

I’ve installed the bigger brother of this kit (5000#) on my F-350 and have had it for 20+K miles without issue so this should last quite a while.

I'm waiting for Air Lift to ship a complete Smart Air kit to my local shop so they can install it on my F350. Gonna be great!

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

what you hauling anyhow? :D

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yep I’m building the truck being extremely careful of the GVW. Hopefully I’ll still be under. The Rubicon has relatively soft springs and that’s the reason for the modification.

Similar for the Overland. The Rubicon has softer springs so it will flex better, articulate, is my thinking. It has a higher weight carrying ability but the soft springs just don't do well with that weight rating. And in your case, you are overlanding with a Rubicon so need to use the weight ability more than flexing through rocks - at least that's how I'm taking it.
I put concrete landscaping blocks on a receiver mounted carrier after getting my truck and found that I could make that thing sag a lot and still not be over-weight. The max tow springs resolved that. Now to make it sag badly I'd have to be abusing the truck. I did the spring swap not so I could carry more - it's so I could carry without it dropping like one of those sick looking modified trucks with their butts on the ground just carrying the thousand or so pounds it's rated for.
Too much droop changes the headlights, changes caster, changes steering, handling, braking and with your air bags - when you truck isn't hauling, you can drop it back and maintain normal height.

 

[smlobx]

what you hauling anyhow? :D

Hopefully I’ll do a walk around debrief when I finish it this summer..

 

[kevman65]

There are aftermarket +1" springs available that are a stiffer option than the Rubi springs.
If you have that much weight, you probably wouldn't see the 1" increase in height.

 

[HooliganActual]

My solution for the JTR was custom springs. I worked with a local shop for my Icon 2-1/2" lift and their recommendation was instead using the Icon springs, they would order custom springs from Deaver Spring Inc. for a load rating of 900#-1200#. This did the trick. It eliminated the sag, returned my factory rake and have so far done a great job on our 2 week tour through the Colorado mountain passes. The custom rear springs were only $800 upcharge to my lift.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My solution for the JTR was custom springs. I worked with a local shop for my Icon 2-1/2" lift and their recommendation was instead using the Icon springs, they would order custom springs from Deaver Spring Inc. for a load rating of 900#-1200#. This did the trick. It eliminated the sag, returned my factory rake and have so far done a great job on our 2 week tour through the Colorado mountain passes. The custom rear springs were only $800 upcharge to my lift.

At least air bags let you adjust for the load - air down, not stiff when not loaded, sits down nicely under unloaded/normal conditions and a better ride. Air up for a heavier than normal load.
The problem with springs is they WILL sag with enough load - changing handling and headlight position. When not loaded, they are stiff and higher.
Can't say they aren't stiff because they have to be to carry the load.

 

[Terminus33]

Not knowing what springs he got for those custom ones but I do know some springs set up for heavier loads have multiple spring rates in one coil, where the stiff part wont move unloaded but it would have a softer portion that will. Under load the soft portion coils would likely touch but then the heavy lift part of the coil takes over. Would still give an overall better ride with all load conditions but wouldn't fix the sag aspect.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not knowing what springs he got for those custom ones but I do know some springs set up for heavier loads have multiple spring rates in one coil, where the stiff part wont move unloaded but it would have a softer portion that will. Under load the soft portion coils would likely touch but then the heavy lift part of the coil takes over. Would still give an overall better ride with all load conditions but wouldn't fix the sag aspect.

More like the max tow and progressive springs..............

 

[PyrPatriot]

I put concrete landscaping blocks on a receiver mounted carrier after getting my truck and found that I could make that thing sag a lot and still not be over-weight. The max tow springs resolved that. Now to make it sag badly I'd have to be abusing the truck. I did the spring swap not so I could carry more - it's so I could carry without it dropping like one of those sick looking modified trucks with their butts on the ground just carrying the thousand or so pounds it's rated for.

Or empty. NC banned the Carolina Squat

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