Rear suspension too soft on Mojave, squats

[MarcusB]

Hi all,

I have a 2020 Mojave with Rebel Off-Road 1/2 height rack, Decked bed storage system, and intermittently add a roof-top tent. Even without the tent, the rear end squats a bit. (Dealer already charged me $100 just to realign headlights because they were pointing into the air. Stay away from Lithia.) It may be heresy for Mojave suspension purists, but I wish they used stiffer springs. Recommendations? The rig is so nice but this is a significant drawback. Thanks!

Marcus

35" Razr MT Maxxis tires, stock gearing, no lift.

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[b-roc]

To adjust for when you have a larger load (e.g. when you have your rtt on), a simple solution is air bags. I have installed the airlift system (https://www.airliftcompany.com/workshop/air-lift-1000-install-2020-jeep-gladiator/).

This doesn't increase your max payload, but it should eliminate your squat and return you to the optimal height for your suspension when you are carryinga heavier load. The install is quick and straightforward.

 

[Sazabi19]

Uh... I thought the entire premise of the Mojave IS soft suspension. That's 1 of the main ideas behind a baja truck.

 

[KurtP]

Put on stiffer springs and deal with a harsher ride and less articulation, or run airbag helpers as noted above.

Its an either/or proposition.

 

[kevman65]

As was said above, it was designed softer to run the dunes. It is not designed to Overland.

If you want to Overland you're going to have to pony up the $$ to make it capable for that use.

 

[MarcusB]

To adjust for when you have a larger load (e.g. when you have your rtt on), a simple solution is air bags. I have installed the airlift system (https://www.airliftcompany.com/workshop/air-lift-1000-install-2020-jeep-gladiator/).

This doesn't increase your max payload, but it should eliminate your squat and return you to the optimal height for your suspension when you are carryinga heavier load. The install is quick and straightforward.

Perfect! Thanks. I guess I didn't realize that would work so well for this!

 

[KurtP]

As was said above, it was designed softer to run the dunes. It is not designed to Overland.

If you want to Overland you're going to have to pony up the $$ to make it capable for that use.

Rear springs are like $250 bucks. Let’s not get too dramatic.

 

[MarcusB]

As was said above, it was designed softer to run the dunes. It is not designed to Overland.

If you want to Overland you're going to have to pony up the $$ to make it capable for that use.

Yes, understood, and thanks for both your replies. This rig does get used on dunes and Oregon washboard/pothole roads much more than slow rock crawling....which is why I got the Mojave. I've been very happy with it, but the significant squat with just 300 lbs payload was not expected.

 

[b-roc]

Perfect! Thanks. I guess I didn't realize that would work so well for this!

When I am running at 5 psi (minimum recommended pressure), there is no noticible impact on bed height. There are discussions about running the air lines separately to left and right (truly just augmenting the springs) vs y-ing the lines together (I opted for this so that if I needed asymmetrical compression left to right then the airbags wouldn't adversely affect articulation) ... I do have a vague recollection of one person running a rtt using these with separate lines to adjust his leveling. I didn't dig into this though since I don't use a rtt.

Here is an install and demo video that I found useful
https://www.google.com/search?q=air...WHct8KHQyvD9gQ_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=360&bih=670#

I am sure that the 100% correct answer would be to change your springs for whatever your standard load is and then use the airbags for occasional increases, but the airbags are an inexpensive nice start.

Good luck!

 

[Rubi-Zero]

How much does it squat when you are loaded?

maybe something like the ACOS rear spring spacer from JKS will do the trick.

https://jksmfg.com/i-24048415-acos-rear-adjustable-coil-spacer-wrangler-jl.html

 

[Rubi-Zero]

How much does it squat when you are loaded?

maybe something like the ACOS rear spring spacer from JKS will do the trick.

https://jksmfg.com/i-24048415-acos-rear-adjustable-coil-spacer-wrangler-jl.html

Edit: on second thought I don’t think that’s going to work
Because at its lowest point it’s going to net you 2 inches and you may not need 2 inches when you are not loaded down.

 

[kevman65]

Rear springs are like $250 bucks. Let’s not get too dramatic.

Dramatic? No.

Springs only with that load? No.

With the load he's talking fully loaded, he needs springs and shocks plus the air bags mentioned.

If not, it won't be long before a rear shock will blow. Top loading the bed puts a LOT more stress on the rear suspension than hauling or towing.

 

[GladiatorAdventureBound]

Using max tow rear springs would work. They’re actually a good progressive spring. Better than any other model or trim.

 

[Sazabi19]

Using max tow rear springs would work. They’re actually a good progressive spring. Better than any other model or trim.

It's a really stiff ride...

 

[NCLife]

Hi all,

I have a 2020 Mojave with Rebel Off-Road 1/2 height rack, Decked bed storage system, and intermittently add a roof-top tent. Even without the tent, the rear end squats a bit. (Dealer already charged me $100 just to realign headlights because they were pointing into the air. Stay away from Lithia.) It may be heresy for Mojave suspension purists, but I wish they used stiffer springs. Recommendations? The rig is so nice but this is a significant drawback. Thanks!

Marcus

35" Razr MT Maxxis tires, stock gearing, no lift.

Off topic a bit...but adjusting the headlights is easy...don’t pay next time. Here you go - https://www.jwspeaker.com/blog/how-to-aim-headlights-driving-beam-or-high-beam-headlights/

Even better -

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