Mojave Lift for Extra Weight

[cajun]

Good evening folks, I have tried reaching out to a few people in the forum individually, but opening it up for the larger group. Brand new 2023 Mojave, stock.

ADDING: RSI Smartcap, ARB Rear Bumper (+200 lbs in back over stock), and ARB Bondi Deluxe full length bumper and Warn Zeon10s synthetic (+200 lbs in front over stock). 35/12.50 tire on stock Mojave wheels (17x7.5 with +37 offset). All of this (except tires) has been ordered and delivery imminent.

QUESTION: What suspension changes would you recommend (ideally reusing factory Fox shocks) to get my ride height at or slightly above stock? I am okay with up to about 2" above stock ride height after adding the weight.

RESEARCH SO FAR:
1. AEV 2" Spacer Lift with Geometry Correction Bracket. Highly recommended, some complaints about boots failing/cracking. Assume the 2" will get me back to at least stock height with added weight. Unfortunately AEV doesn't make a Dualsport for Mojave

2. Fabtech Sport II 2" coil lift (not spacers) (will ads a geometry correction bracket). Until I started researching Mojave-specific lifts, I knew nothing about Fabtech, and that scares me a bit. However, I have spoken to 2 people in person who love this lift. Some concerns about the "dual rate coils" not doing much for the extra weight.

3. Started looking at other options that were more expensive just to ensure I only had to do this one time.... rather spend 2x now and do it right. Clayton and RockKrawler do not market anything specific to the Mojave (as far as I can tell). EVO and Metalcloak definitely have Mojave branded lifts. Any others from the reputable category?

Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any wisdom you can send my way.

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[svc707]

Here’s what I did

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-factory-springs-for-clayton-dobinsons.66893/

 

[cajun]

Here’s what I did

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-factory-springs-for-clayton-dobinsons.66893/

Awesome, I think you are adjusting exactly what I'm concerned with. I know it's getting late so just to confirm you put the 2.5-in Clayton springs up front and 2.5 dobinsons in rear. Was your choice of shock change voluntary or will the fox factory shocks no longer work with that setup?

 

[svc707]

Fox shocks are too soft they weren’t designed for all the weight. With the falcon shocks I got them right where I want them. Metalcloak is coming out with new shocks and I will put them on my JL. Running tuned Fox shocks but the are just too stiff jolting at times so I wanted to get another set of adjustable sand will try theirs
Oh and it was voluntary to replace the shocks. I thought it road good with the factory shocks but after replacing them it was like whoa!

 

[cajun]

Fox shocks are too soft they weren’t designed for all the weight. With the falcon shocks I got them right where I want them. Metalcloak is coming out with new shocks and I will put them on my JL. Running tuned Fox shocks but the are just too stiff jolting at times so I wanted to get another set of adjustable sand will try theirs
Oh and it was voluntary to replace the shocks. I thought it road good with the factory shocks but after replacing them it was like whoa!

Thank you. So you are he happy with the springs, but not thrilled with the shocks you picked so going to replace those with the metalcloak. Did you make any other suspension changes like LCAs or geometry correction? I believe your post said something about control arms but just trying to get a punch list. Thank you again

 

[svc707]

Thank you. So you are he happy with the springs, but not thrilled with the shocks you picked so going to replace those with the metalcloak. Did you make any other suspension changes like LCAs or geometry correction? I believe your post said something about control arms but just trying to get a punch list. Thank you again

Spring and shock combo work great. I want to try a different setup on my JL/Wrangler. I went Clayton control arms and Metalcloak’s front and rear trackbars.

 

[Bjeepz]

Bump!

 

[cajun]

Well, I figured I would close the loop on this thread now that my upgrades are complete. I went with the Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger lift (using OEM Mojave shocks). Also upgraded steering with Metalcloak HD drag link and tie rod, with the Fox ATS steering stabilizer. As mentioned before, added RSI EVO A in rear along with ARB rear bumper and ARB bed protection tubes. Front got the ARB Bondi Deluxe full length bumper and Warn Evo 10S winch, along with a pair of Solis intensity lights. Toyo Open Country RT Trail 35x12.50 on stock 17x7.5 wheels. Only have a couple hundred miles on it, but so far it has been awesome. Handling is much better than stock, no drift, no drama. The Metalcloak lift was clearly designed with extra weight in mind, barely noticing the very heavy accessories. Will send pics after the monsoon clears here.

PS- shoutout to Metalcloak, their products are very high quality.

 

[Bjeepz]

Well, I figured I would close the loop on this thread now that my upgrades are complete. I went with the Metalcloak 2.5" Gamechanger lift (using OEM Mojave shocks). Also upgraded steering with Metalcloak HD drag link and tie rod, with the Fox ATS steering stabilizer. As mentioned before, added RSI EVO A in rear along with ARB rear bumper and ARB bed protection tubes. Front got the ARB Bondi Deluxe full length bumper and Warn Evo 10S winch, along with a pair of Solis intensity lights. Toyo Open Country RT Trail 35x12.50 on stock 17x7.5 wheels. Only have a couple hundred miles on it, but so far it has been awesome. Handling is much better than stock, no drift, no drama. The Metalcloak lift was clearly designed with extra weight in mind, barely noticing the very heavy accessories. Will send pics after the monsoon clears here.

PS- shoutout to Metalcloak, their products are very high quality.

Great to hear you have a solution that you like! Were the Fabtech spring just endlessly back ordered?

Assuming you're using shock extensions with the factory Mojave shocks, how does the rear suspension feel? Any extra bounce in the rear or does it hold firm?

Thanks!

 

[cajun]

Great to hear you have a solution that you like! Were the Fabtech spring just endlessly back ordered?

Assuming you're using shock extensions with the factory Mojave shocks, how does the rear suspension feel? Any extra bounce in the rear or does it hold firm?

Thanks!

Yes on the shock extensions....I was a bit nervous about extensions, but no issues so far. The rear is quite firm with those Metalcloak springs. I only have a couple hundred miles on them, 75% which is pavement, but today I did make it out to a trail and was impressed. I will keep you posted.

 

[Bjeepz]

Yes on the shock extensions....I was a bit nervous about extensions, but no issues so far. The rear is quite firm with those Metalcloak springs. I only have a couple hundred miles on them, 75% which is pavement, but today I did make it out to a trail and was impressed. I will keep you posted.

NIce! More specifically, I find that the Mojave rear has an extra bounce with no weight in the bed compared to my previous ZR2. I notice the bounce mostly on the road or bumpy but faster forest service roads. Maybe the extra weight of the cap gets you into the sweet spot that I felt I was in loaded up with a few hundred lbs for the summer travels..

 

[cajun]

NIce! More specifically, I find that the Mojave rear has an extra bounce with no weight in the bed compared to my previous ZR2. I notice the bounce mostly on the road or bumpy but faster forest service roads. Maybe the extra weight of the cap gets you into the sweet spot that I felt I was in loaded up with a few hundred lbs for the summer travels..

Probably spot on. It was better after the cap even before the lift.

 

[cajun]

Great to hear you have a solution that you like! Were the Fabtech spring just endlessly back ordered?

Assuming you're using shock extensions with the factory Mojave shocks, how does the rear suspension feel? Any extra bounce in the rear or does it hold firm?

Thanks!

Forgot to answer regarding Fabtech. Not sure about backorder, they were certainly not in stock when I was researching, but I was thoroughly convinced metalcloak was the solution I was looking for so didn't pursue fabtech much beyond initial research

 

[svc707]

@Metalcloak for the win! I had a bad fox shock and they took care of me without having to deal with fox. They shipped out and I got it the next day.

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