Reaching out to those doing their own shock tuning?

[CrazyCooter]

Thanks for your insights re: they are a wash re: their build comparison.

I agree also that each built to a price point, however it seems that Fox & Falcon have deviated when it comes to where they add adjustability Falcon in the 3.x series... which this video compares with the Fox 2.0 remote reservoir, Where Fox doesn't have adjustability until you get to the 2.5's, which put you at a different price point. Falcon 3.3's at $1900 vs Fox 2.5s $2800.

But... you can't buy Falcons anyway, cause they are on infinite backorder.

I'm going to Moab in a month, So I just ordered Fox.

You can get compression adjusters in the Fox 2.0 Resi's too. I recoimend them to people as something that will take some punishment and provede a little adjustablity. These can also be revalved pretty easy.

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[CrazyCooter]

Your info is really helpful as I'm following closely in your footsteps... have a Clayton Gas JT 2.5" overland lift and will have Fox 2.5's for 2-3" lift waiting for me for install in a couple weeks... just in time for a late April Moab trip. Will not have time to re-tune the shocks before, but watching closely on what you are doing. Also will be adding Icon (King) jounce bumps in the front, and have Sumos in the rear.

I've been keeping in touch with Adam over at Clayton about timing of availability of their Diesel JT fronts...

I like the front Clayton gas springs the best so far abd not sure if I will change them or not at this point. I'm going to remove some bleed from the shocks before I make that decision.

 

[PackMule]

I like the front Clayton gas springs the best so far abd not sure if I will change them or not at this point. I'm going to remove some bleed from the shocks before I make that decision.

Good to know!

 

[Fungshui]

Clayton diesel specific suspension is now live:

• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 3.5" Premium Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 2.5" Premium Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 3.5" OVERLAND PLUS Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 2.5" OVERLAND PLUS Lift Kit 2020+ JT

Based on the BOM it seems only front the front springs are different. The rear springs as the same as the gas kits.

• Front Spring Rate = 216 lbs/in

 

[CrazyCooter]

Clayton diesel specific suspension is now live:

• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 3.5" Premium Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 2.5" Premium Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 3.5" OVERLAND PLUS Lift Kit 2020+ JT
• Jeep Gladiator DIESEL 2.5" OVERLAND PLUS Lift Kit 2020+ JT

Based on the BOM it seems only front the front springs are different. The rear springs as the same as the gas kits.

• Front Spring Rate = 216 lbs/in

May have to get a pair of those front springs to try out.......15% maybe just what I'm looking for!

 

[PackMule]

May have to get a pair of those front springs to try out.......15% maybe just what I'm looking for!

So ... i've been conversing with them on timing of the springs for a couple of months. They should get them from their supplier later this week (4/6 +/- shipping delays). I've been watching the calendar because of my 4/20 Moab trip! This is cutting it real close for me.

@CrazyCooter ... The rep at Clayton says for those that ordered gas versions for their Ecodiesels, obviously they cannot take back used gas springs for swap if they've been installed already, but they are planning on extending a pretty reasonable discount code for the purchase of the front diesel springs if you already bought & installed the gas lift kit. IMO that's pretty fair.

They don't have the discount code up yet on their website, 'cause they don't actually have the springs in hand yet. But if you are planning on ordering the springs before they get the code up on the webside, call them and they might give you the discount in advance.

 

[CrazyCooter]

So ... i've been conversing with them on timing of the springs for a couple of months. They should get them from their supplier later this week (4/6 +/- shipping delays). I've been watching the calendar because of my 4/20 Moab trip! This is cutting it real close for me.

@CrazyCooter ... The rep at Clayton says for those that ordered gas versions for their Ecodiesels, obviously they cannot take back used gas springs for swap if they've been installed already, but they are planning on extending a pretty reasonable discount code for the purchase of the front diesel springs if you already bought & installed the gas lift kit. IMO that's pretty fair.

They don't have the discount code up yet on their website, 'cause they don't actually have the springs in hand yet. But if you are planning on ordering the springs before they get the code up on the webside, call them and they might give you the discount in advance.

Thanks for the heads up on the discount. I'm also a wholesaler, so my normal discount might be better than what they offer anyway.

I'm going to wait for my parts to get here from Fox and make a few changes before I commit anyway. I'm so close to liking what I have, I may just be keeping these springs while just making the valving changes.

 

[PackMule]

Thanks for the heads up on the discount. I'm also a wholesaler, so my normal discount might be better than what they offer anyway.

I'm going to wait for my parts to get here from Fox and make a few changes before I commit anyway. I'm so close to liking what I have, I may just be keeping these springs while just making the valving changes.

Good on ya.
I'm going to see if I can get the diesel springs in. I think you went 3.5" gas front springs, and 2.5" rears, where I'm going 2.5" all around. I might need the extra stiffness in the front to keep me off the soon-to-be-installed air bumps.

I wont have time to revalve the fox shocks before my moab trip, so I'll have to go with the factory adjustments only. From your experience with the Clayton springs and Fox shocks, what do you think I should try on the adjuster settings to start out? I'm guessing 50-75% front/rear in normal driving, and then dial up the rears to 80-90% when towing? Or do you think I'll need to go stiffer?

From the stock JTRD platform, plastic bumpers, so far I've added about 300lb static weight, (~60 of that unsprung tires/wheels) in mostly mid and rear axle weight. Then I add a trailer with ~400lb tongue wt. when towing. See gory details below.


Jeep and suspension
- JTRD Rubicon, factory plastic front/rear bumpers
- 37" BFG K02s on Method 705 beadgrips
- Fox 2.5 Performance Elite series 2-3" lift , Rears 883-26-074, Fronts 883-26-050
- Icon (King) front air bumps
- Rear Sumo springs 500lb spring capacity (blue) Their lightest model.

Static Load and use
- General DD, Fire roads, Bird Hunting (dogs),Fishing, Wheeling up to MOAB 5/6 rated trails... will take side routes on difficult breakovers.
SmartCap shell - 180lb
- ARB Twin - behind seat mount - ~25lb
- ASFIR Skid - T-case aluminum skid - 29lb

Dynamic Load & use
- Apex Nano trailer - 3700lb, ~400lb tongue wt with weight distributing hitch.

I'd like to do more rocker protection than the stock Rubi Rails, and add a winch & bumper, but can't figure out how to fit that into the GVWR. Seat delete?... yea, probably...

 

[CrazyCooter]

Good on ya.
I'm going to see if I can get the diesel springs in. I think you went 3.5" gas front springs, and 2.5" rears, where I'm going 2.5" all around. I might need the extra stiffness in the front to keep me off the soon-to-be-installed air bumps.

I wont have time to revalve the fox shocks before my moab trip, so I'll have to go with the factory adjustments only. From your experience with the Clayton springs and Fox shocks, what do you think I should try on the adjuster settings to start out? I'm guessing 50-75% front/rear in normal driving, and then dial up the rears to 80-90% when towing? Or do you think I'll need to go stiffer?

From the stock JTRD platform, plastic bumpers, so far I've added about 300lb static weight, (~60 of that unsprung tires/wheels) in mostly mid and rear axle weight. Then I add a trailer with ~400lb tongue wt. when towing. See gory details below.


Jeep and suspension
- JTRD Rubicon, factory plastic front/rear bumpers
- 37" BFG K02s on Method 705 beadgrips
- Fox 2.5 Performance Elite series 2-3" lift , Rears 883-26-074, Fronts 883-26-050
- Icon (King) front air bumps
- Rear Sumo springs 500lb spring capacity (blue) Their lightest model.

Static Load and use
- General DD, Fire roads, Bird Hunting (dogs),Fishing, Wheeling up to MOAB 5/6 rated trails... will take side routes on difficult breakovers.
SmartCap shell - 180lb
- ARB Twin - behind seat mount - ~25lb
- ASFIR Skid - T-case aluminum skid - 29lb

Dynamic Load & use
- Apex Nano trailer - 3700lb, ~400lb tongue wt with weight distributing hitch.

I'd like to do more rocker protection than the stock Rubi Rails, and add a winch & bumper, but can't figure out how to fit that into the GVWR. Seat delete?... yea, probably...

Yes, I went 3.5 gas fronts and 2.5" rears so I could net approx 3/2.5" and have some rake when unloaded. You might consider going the full 3.5 if you are planning on doing some of the harder trails in Moab. I still touch down some and the worst trail I did there was Fins n Things

We have similar accessory weights except I have Rock Slide steps and a Zeon 10S in the factory steel bumper. I would guess you will run your front shocks half way tight and then full tight when traveling slow aired down (5mph) or your will be bouncing off your air bumps in the smoother terrain. The rear probably half way tight for all conditions depending on your tolerance for head bobble and then maybe even full tight when towing depending on terrain. I have added a substantial amount of valving especially in the rear rebound area from stock......The heavier front springs will help with the lacking comp damping, but the rear is going to buck. You should also note a lot of head bobble with the heavier springs and lighter rebound.

I'd say don't bother trying to buy any parts from Fox because it will take AT LEAST A WEEK before you get to the point when someone is taking your order, money, then your order actually ships out 7-10 days after that....... In the case of the bleed shims and spare seals kits, I had to buy direct because the aftermarket really hasn't caught up yet and the main aftermarket servicers for these shocks don't answer the phone or return the VM you leave. "Kartek" was awesome to deal with for shims.

Also keep in mind that your Sumo springs are going to transfer weight to the opposite corner when crossed up......That means when twisting, you will be on your front bumps more. I noticed just 5psi on air in my rear bags made my front axle bottom about 75% faster than if they were flat and the Sumos are even more rigid.

I will hopefully be getting my parts from Fox this week and will have a semi final tune within a few weeks I hope. I do have motorcycle season opening up about now, so Jeep will back burner some till it gets warmer.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Good on ya.
I'm going to see if I can get the diesel springs in. I think you went 3.5" gas front springs, and 2.5" rears, where I'm going 2.5" all around. I might need the extra stiffness in the front to keep me off the soon-to-be-installed air bumps.

I wont have time to revalve the fox shocks before my moab trip, so I'll have to go with the factory adjustments only. From your experience with the Clayton springs and Fox shocks, what do you think I should try on the adjuster settings to start out? I'm guessing 50-75% front/rear in normal driving, and then dial up the rears to 80-90% when towing? Or do you think I'll need to go stiffer?

From the stock JTRD platform, plastic bumpers, so far I've added about 300lb static weight, (~60 of that unsprung tires/wheels) in mostly mid and rear axle weight. Then I add a trailer with ~400lb tongue wt. when towing. See gory details below.


Jeep and suspension
- JTRD Rubicon, factory plastic front/rear bumpers
- 37" BFG K02s on Method 705 beadgrips
- Fox 2.5 Performance Elite series 2-3" lift , Rears 883-26-074, Fronts 883-26-050
- Icon (King) front air bumps
- Rear Sumo springs 500lb spring capacity (blue) Their lightest model.

Static Load and use
- General DD, Fire roads, Bird Hunting (dogs),Fishing, Wheeling up to MOAB 5/6 rated trails... will take side routes on difficult breakovers.
SmartCap shell - 180lb
- ARB Twin - behind seat mount - ~25lb
- ASFIR Skid - T-case aluminum skid - 29lb

Dynamic Load & use
- Apex Nano trailer - 3700lb, ~400lb tongue wt with weight distributing hitch.

I'd like to do more rocker protection than the stock Rubi Rails, and add a winch & bumper, but can't figure out how to fit that into the GVWR. Seat delete?... yea, probably...

Another consideration........What BS are your wheels? I get slight rub between my inner tire sidewall and the 90° shock fitting on the front at extreme flex with 17x8.5 0mm offset wheels and my Cooper 37's.

I do see you are running the shorter front -050 shocks so maybe it wont be an issue for you. I run the -051's front and -074 rears so I could maximize my total down flex up front and the rear springs just wanted to drop out.

 

[PackMule]

Another consideration........What BS are your wheels? I get slight rub between my inner tire sidewall and the 90° shock fitting on the front at extreme flex with 17x8.5 0mm offset wheels and my Cooper 37's.

I do see you are running the shorter front -050 shocks so maybe it wont be an issue for you. I run the -051's front and -074 rears so I could maximize my total down flex up front and the rear springs just wanted to drop out.

Good question. The Method 705s have (Edit) +25 offset, as I'm trying to keep the poke down, keep mud off my sides (I live on a gravel road), so that might be a problem. I think the BFGs are a little smaller than the Coopers if I recall when I was looking them up, so that might help me.

What 90 degree section are you referring to on the front shock, the remote resi? Can't you get a longer hose and relocate it?

 

[CrazyCooter]

Good question. The Method 705s have -25 offset, as I'm trying to keep the poke down, keep mud off my sides (I live on a gravel road), so that might be a problem. I think the BFGs are a little smaller than the Coopers if I recall when I was looking them up, so that might help me.

What 90 degree section are you referring to on the front shock, the remote resi? Can't you get a longer hose and relocate it?

Its the 90° fitting where it comes out of the top of the shock....no relocating it. You will just have flex her out and see.

 

[PackMule]

Its the 90° fitting where it comes out of the top of the shock....no relocating it. You will just have flex her out and see.

Got it, where the hose to the resi comes out of the main shock tube. I'll have to check that out.

 

[PackMule]

Another consideration........What BS are your wheels? I get slight rub between my inner tire sidewall and the 90° shock fitting on the front at extreme flex with 17x8.5 0mm offset wheels and my Cooper 37's.

I do see you are running the shorter front -050 shocks so maybe it wont be an issue for you. I run the -051's front and -074 rears so I could maximize my total down flex up front and the rear springs just wanted to drop out.

So I got the build installed with the Clayton 2.5" diesel springs, Fox 2.5's, BFG KO2 37's, Method 705 +25mm, and EVO/King air bumps (sumo springs already installed).

Looks like I'm going to be good on clearance. (they didn't adjust the track bars correctly, so I have a little rub on one side on the lower front control arm, but once I get that adjusted I' think I'll be good).

FYI, the diesel specific springs gave me a little more than 4" lift in the front vs. saggy stock springs. I got about 3" lift in the rear vs. stock, (all measurements with empty truck, Smart Cap installed). So I don't think I'll have any problem in the future putting on a winch+bumper. And with the 37's included, I've gained 5.5" total up front! Man, this is a tall truck now (I see why you did the power steps).

I'm dialing in the ride with the Fox shocks. Currently running at about 5 or 6 for high speed damping, and the same for low speed damping for street driving+empty truck. When hooking up the #4k trailer, I had a lot of bounce/bobble at those settings, so dialed it up to 9 on high-speed damper, and that eliminated the bounce.

So far, pretty good. It is quite a bit stiffer than stock. No more plush ride. But I can hit potholes I had to be careful to avoid before. And when towing, my rear only drops about 3/4" to 1" to engage the sumos, so just about perfect.

Thanks for all your info on this thread. Helped me dial in this build pretty well!

Ready for MOAB!

 

[CrazyCooter]

Playing with things a bit still.......Quick video of some testing yesterday. Rear felt a tiny bit light on the rebound driving to the dirt. Judging by the air gap I see under the rear tires in the video and what looks like the rear suspension unloaded, she needs a bit more. I'm currently playing with a rebound flutter out back so I can have my firm controlled feeling while loaded/unloaded and not have the suspension pack off road in the chop.

Made another change this morning and I like it on the road..........

Closing in!

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