Modding a Rubicon to ride like a Mojave

[djwatts]

I have never driven a Mojave so I am not sure how much different it is than a Rubicon except for what everyone claims. I purchased a new 2022 Rubicon in April of 2024 for a great price being new and still on the lot. I think because it was optioned weirdly, it hadn't sold. Leather interior, soft-top, non LED, spray-in bed liner, MSRP $58+. I really wanted a Mojave but couldn't pass up the deal at $43k.

So, my goal is to make it as close to Mojave as possible and still have the benefits of a Rubicon. I recently added front and rear Sumo Springs, front and rear Mojave shocks, and a 1" Teraflex spacer in the front. I added the spacer since the Mojave sits 1" higher than the Rubicon using a spring spacer. I wanted to go with another 1/2" spacer to reduce the rake even more but that would have made the shocks too short.

As far as the difference in how it rides, I think it's not that different than before. In town driving is definitely not any different. Highway driving seems somewhat smoother at 75+ mph. Again, I've never driven a Mojave, so I only have what I remember from the Rubicon.

There seems to be some arguments about the Mojave springs vs the Rubicon springs. Some say they are exactly the same and some say they have a different rate. They looks to be exactl ythe same length. Does anyone think that changing to the Mojave springs would make a difference in how it rides or again would it be minimal for the cost?

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[jav_eee]

You should probably drive a Mojave to see what it is you’re trying to replicate. Then go drive a 2006 or older wrangler and notice how good your current rubicon drives compared to the jeeps of yesteryear.

Are you usually hauling heavy? If not then why did you add sumo springs?

 

[Janster]

I'd agree with jav_eee.......... You need to drive a Mojave to see what you're trying to accomplish.
However...sounds like you're trying to make the ride softer?

I'm not familiar with Sumo springs, but curious why you added them?
A spacer is going to make the ride worse/rougher. Ditch the spacer....

Nobody can say whether adding the Mojave springs will make the ride smoother or give you any ride height increases.... each situation is different. Not only that..... you have an 'expectation' based on something you haven't even driven yet.

You can probably find USED Mojave springs fairly easily & for cheap. That's about the only way you're going to find out... is just install them.

 

[Bjeepz]

Get those shocks working on higher speed rough terrain and you’ll notice a difference.

Currie makes 1.5inch Mojave specific shock extensions if you think you need them.

 

[SoK66]

I'd agree with jav_eee.......... You need to drive a Mojave to see what you're trying to accomplish.
However...sounds like you're trying to make the ride softer?

I'm not familiar with Sumo springs, but curious why you added them?
A spacer is going to make the ride worse/rougher. Ditch the spacer....

Nobody can say whether adding the Mojave springs will make the ride smoother or give you any ride height increases.... each situation is different. Not only that..... you have an 'expectation' based on something you haven't even driven yet.

You can probably find USED Mojave springs fairly easily & for cheap. That's about the only way you're going to find out... is just install them.

Why would a spacer make the ride rougher?

 

[Minty JL]

I will make it really easy for you. Get OEM Mojave shocks and springs.......and Done

 

[chr15m]

Why would a spacer make the ride rougher?

If for some reason it moved the shock outside of the intended ride zone. With the Mojave front shocks though, a 1" spacer would place it in the intended ride height, so it shouldn't in this case.

The spacer=bad ride seems to be more typical in the IFS groups since spacers, depending on the type/placement, can add preload to the coil. For most cases a spacer shouldn't affect ride quality if the shock positioning will accommodate them. I've added 3/4" spacers to the rear on my JTM to bring the squat back to original ride height since I have a GFC on the bed. I've noticed no change in ride quality other than a little more motivation to travel thanks to the ~300lbs in the back.

I will make it really easy for you. Get OEM Mojave shocks and springs.......and Done

Pretty much. I would warn the OP against just throwing money at a subjective experience, without having driven a JTM. Everyone perceives ride quality different. I for one really dislike digressive shocks, but many love Icons and Bilsteins. I've driven both pretty much every model of JT except the Overland. The Sport felt underdamp and not great. The JTR was similar but IMO was generally more comfortable than my JTM in daily use. The JTM/Fox setup is as Fox would say it "more performance oriented". Its stiffer and dampens imperfections quickly. Not as jarring as say Bilsteins, but not overly soft like the JTR. In my experience in the PNW, the Fox shocks on the JTM are greatly affected by ambient temps, in the winter they are a very different shock than in the summer. I've ran Fox on multiple Toyotas and never noticed a seasonal ride change as much with the JTM. With the Foxes, if you get large stroke movements though the purpose of the Fox shocks shows clearly. For me the Foxes work great due to their added "stiffness", which is really just their valve/dampening characteristics, because I have a heavier JT.

OP, consider your intended use and decide from there. I believe most would be fine with IFP shocks, deciding between 2" and 2.5" depending on your location and driving style. If you offroad only a few times a year on trails and not beaches or dunes, a 2" would save a ton of cash and be totally sufficient. There were tons of Toyota guys getting sold the big bill and stating only 2.5 RRs would be adequate, only to complain about unmet expectations a month later. So many of them would be out on trails with guys running 2" Billys.

Other than that, the JTM front coils are indeed longer than the JTRs. Spring rate has not as far as I know, actually been measured, But, all aftermarket rates seem to have a first rate of 160 lb/in or greater. So either way the OE coils are all soft IMO.

Good luck.

 

[ScottBeach]

Not really your target. You just want nicer riding? Not the high speed bump stop level of suspension?

 

[Janster]

Why would a spacer make the ride rougher?

Spacers pre-load the coils….. more tension…. Less suspension ‘movement’.
You won’t necessarily feel it on flat areas…..but you’ll feel the difference over bumps, etc.

 

[Volt0]

And steel knuckles

 

[Rahkmalla]

Spacers pre-load the coils….. more tension…. Less suspension ‘movement’.
You won’t necessarily feel it on flat areas…..but you’ll feel the difference over bumps, etc.

a proper spacer kit spaces shocks and springs. Why would that pre-load the coils?

 

[jav_eee]

Spacers pre-load the coils….. more tension…. Less suspension ‘movement’.
You won’t necessarily feel it on flat areas…..but you’ll feel the difference over bumps, etc.

how is that different than the actually jeep sitting on the coil? Is it not pre-loaded then?

 

[SoK66]

a proper spacer kit spaces shocks and springs. Why would that pre-load the coils?

I asked the question because I put a Teraflex 1.5" spacer kit on my '23 Willys right after I bought the Jeep and have never noticed anything different or harsh about its ride quality. I also added TF's 2" longer lower shock mounts and the longer lower control arms from the Mopar 2" lift. Work together very well.

 

[chr15m]

how is that different than the actually jeep sitting on the coil? Is it not pre-loaded then?

No, because the weight placed upon the coil hasn't changed. It is loaded/compressed the same as the weight is the same, the spacer just moves where it rests. This is only something that occurs with coil overs with adjustable perches or with suspension where the coil is on compressed further by the spacer. On our trucks that does not occur, it simply moves where the coil sits.

Put spacers on and measure the coil, it will be the same length as without the spacer, therefore it has not been preloaded.

This is something common with IFS and spacers that go under the top hat of the shock, where on IFS the coil is over the shock, not next to it. Since the top hat and coil perch do not change positions the spacer compresses the coil. Again on our trucks, placing a spacer on the truck moves the resting or idle position of the shock, but the coil remains the same length. Most of the hate for spacers comes from the Toyota and IFS groups, where it does apply. Even then, most of their hate is due to not properly adjusting bump stops after changing the shock position. Ironically most of the Toyota guys hated the idea of a preload spacer, bought adjustable coilovers and then cranked them down to get more lift, effectively preloading the crap out of them.

Spacers do not preload our trucks. This is from Accutune, its enough to kind of give the general visible idea of preloading examples, but with coilovers. If your spring length remains unchanged it is not preloaded, hence the name, pre for the fact that it is loaded beyond what the vehicle alone would do, at resting height.

 

[Janster]

No, because the weight placed upon the coil hasn't changed. It is loaded/compressed the same as the weight is the same, the spacer just moves where it rests. This is only something that occurs with coil overs with adjustable perches or with suspension where the coil is on compressed further by the spacer. On our trucks that does not occur, it simply moves where the coil sits.

Put spacers on and measure the coil, it will be the same length as without the spacer, therefore it has not been preloaded.

This is something common with IFS and spacers that go under the top hat of the shock, where on IFS the coil is over the shock, not next to it. Since the top hat and coil perch do not change positions the spacer compresses the coil. Again on our trucks, placing a spacer on the truck moves the resting or idle position of the shock, but the coil remains the same length. Most of the hate for spacers comes from the Toyota and IFS groups, where it does apply. Even then, most of their hate is due to not properly adjusting bump stops after changing the shock position. Ironically most of the Toyota guys hated the idea of a preload spacer, bought adjustable coilovers and then cranked them down to get more lift, effectively preloading the crap out of them.

Spacers do not preload our trucks. This is from Accutune, its enough to kind of give the general visible idea of preloading examples, but with coilovers. If your spring length remains unchanged it is not preloaded, hence the name, pre for the fact that it is loaded beyond what the vehicle alone would do, at resting height.

Ok….I stand corrected….. You’re simply adding the spacer ontop of a free standing coil - similar to adding spacers for a body lift.

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