Ride Quality in a LIFTED JT with 37's that Performs and Rides Similar to a Gen 2 Raptor??

[WillieFlo]

Hello all, I know the 2 vehicles above are very different vehicles, but I want to see what brands/models of JT lifts in a 2.5" or 3.5" height with 37's offer a similar ride quality, and or performance to a current Ford Raptor.......I've been researching Clayton OR, Rebel OR, Rock Krawler, and Teraflex based on online reviews, YT, etc. For a daily driver, the Raptor is hard to beat with respect to feeling like you're riding on a fluffy cloud both on & off road. I know shocks make a huge difference, so I'm leaning towards adjustable options from Fox, Falcon, King.........potentially even coilovers in front.

Anyone running a setup that they are very happy with that rides smooth, is adjustable, and quiet?? Currently, I'm leaning towards Clayton OR's Overland+ 3.5" with their upcoming LA kit based on reviews and price, but am undecided on shocks/coilovers, because I haven't done enough research yet. Starting here. Thanks for any thoughts/input you can provide.

Reason for going from a Raptor to a Gladiator you ask.......I'm interested in going back to a Jeep because my '04 Rubicon 2-door was a blast to build/drive, and the Gladiator combines the OR capabilities(for Moab & hunting trips) I'm looking for with a "practical" daily driver into one vehicle.

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[bgenlvtex]

Raptor drives like a Glastron boat.

No JT is going to do that (which I like). I borrowed a coworkers Raptor, it drove like a `72 Buick Electra 225

 

[KurtP]

Id do a Clayton complete kit with 3” Fox pro shocks And a livernois super charger.

you could also do a Mojave stock on 35’s or a small spacer lift and get 37’s if you arent looking to drop a ton of coin on the lift. Im running 37’s on my mojave stock on the road while waiting for my lift, but wouldnt want to trail it. Putting clayton control arms and track bars in with the Fabtech Mojave specific lift that does corner specific mojave specific springs; and add the fox 3” racing series shocks in another year or so when the rest of the build is done.

 

[jurfie]

Paging @WhatExit? as he has both.

This should make for good entertainment...?

 

[JT LIFE]

Raptor drives like a Glastron boat.

No JT is going to do that (which I like). I borrowed a coworkers Raptor, it drove like a `72 Buick Electra 225

I don't know you but referencing Glastron boats AND a '72 225 in one reply tells me a lot! Lol

 

[Kindafearless]

What at you doing with it?

You mentioned a couple things in your first post, but are you going to any extremes like rock crawling or driving the Utah desert at 80 mph?

 

[bgenlvtex]

I don't know you but referencing Glastron boats AND a '72 225 in one reply tells me a lot! Lol

I could probably mention a waterbed and finish things off then couldn't I?

 

[WillieFlo]

What at you doing with it?

You mentioned a couple things in your first post, but are you going to any extremes like rock crawling or driving the Utah desert at 80 mph?

Yes, I reached out to Whatexit? in a different post when I saw he had both.

I currently use my truck as my DD right now here in Houston, but every deer season, I do go off-road alot on ranch roads towing a trailer with my Polaris RZR XP a few miles from the highway to camp after 4.5 hours on highway, then also on family vacations to Moab and other O-R destinations without taking the RZR. 2 years ago we went to Moab in the Raptor and did some easy-mid level trails; and on our way to Yellowstone last year, we did some O-R'ing and rock crawling (on the 100-mile)White Rim trail in Canyonlands(Moab), then on the way North we did some desert running up to around 75mph, which was fun as well. Not trying 70mph in the desert with the JT, but do want to be able to run washboard ranch roads without teeth chattering loose. I think the extra weight of winch, ADD bumpers, hi-lift, some overland gear, etc. will help dampen ride, and definitely looking at adjustable shocks with remote reservoirs. However, I know the narrower taller footprint of the JT will be more of a limiting factor for stability at higher speeds, safety wise.

 

[Kindafearless]

Yes, I reached out to Whatexit? in a different post when I saw he had both.

I currently use my truck as my DD right now here in Houston, but every deer season, I do go off-road alot on ranch roads towing a trailer with my Polaris RZR XP a few miles from the highway to camp after 4.5 hours on highway, then also on family vacations to Moab and other O-R destinations without taking the RZR. 2 years ago we went to Moab in the Raptor and did some easy-mid level trails; and on our way to Yellowstone last year, we did some O-R'ing and rock crawling (on the 100-mile)White Rim trail in Canyonlands(Moab), then on the way North we did some desert running up to around 75mph, which was fun as well. Not trying 70mph in the desert with the JT, but do want to be able to run washboard ranch roads without teeth chattering loose. I think the extra weight of winch, ADD bumpers hi-lift, some overland gear, etc. will help dampen ride, and definitely looking at adjustable shocks with remote reservoirs. However, I know the narrower taller footprint of the JT will be more of a limiting factor for stability at higher speeds, safety wise.

Lots of solid lift kits. I honestly had a hard time picking mine because there are so many good options. Sounds to me like you just want to make sure you get the right shocks and the right tune with whatever kit you go with.

Accutune was great to work with when buying shocks and getting them tuned right. If you are doing lots of washboard roads and hunting a lot during the season, then you probably want some reservoirs to avoid the possibility of fade and give you an option to tune a little.

King and Fox both have good options. Some people like the Falcons, but my research (never owned them though) showed that they were stiffer and you mentioned you wanted float.

 

[WillieFlo]

Lots of solid lift kits. I honestly had a hard time picking mine because there are so many good options. Sounds to me like you just want to make sure you get the right shocks and the right tune with whatever kit you go with.

Accutune was great to work with when buying shocks and getting them tuned right. If you are doing lots of washboard roads and hunting a lot during the season, then you probably want some reservoirs to avoid the possibility of fade and give you an option to tune a little.

King and Fox both have good options. Some people like the Falcons, but my research (never owned them though) showed that they were stiffer and you mentioned you wanted float.

Thanks kindafearless, yes, it does sound like that's the case. Just on here, I've seen alot of support for Clayton, so I think I'll be doing some more digging on their stuff with some Fox or Kings. I know the Fox 2.5s on my Raptor are a hell of a good ride, so I may stick with Fox. Didn't know that about the Falcon's. Was considering Falcon 3.3 adjustables, but don't see remotes offered.

 

[Kindafearless]

Thanks kindafearless, yes, it does sound like that's the case. Just on here, I've seen alot of support for Clayton, so I think I'll be doing some more digging on their stuff with some Fox or Kings. I know the Fox 2.5s on my Raptor are a hell of a good ride, so I may stick with Fox. Didn't know that about the Falcon's. Was considering Falcon 3.3 adjustables, but don't see remotes offered.

I was so close to pulling the trigger on the Fox 2.5s. I went with the 2.0s though. I want to see if I can cook them. So far they are performing great.

 

[brianinca]

Went to Death Valley the beginning of January. The biggest impact on running down washboard roads and such at speed for us was airing down the tires and disconnecting the front swaybar. The first is free, the 2nd requires a Tazer Mini for the Rubicon to disconnect in 2Hi.

40 MPH felt plenty fast for the surface and the visibility. The ride quality is amazing to my mind.

I guess I don't get why 37's are part of your want-to list. A Mojave on BFG 315/70R17's is a no-lift-needed recipe and will ride way better than anything with an aftermarket lift.

37's were notably heavier and impacted handling and braking on an H2 I had. The H2's OEM 315/70R17's were the same as the Raptor. Turns out there was a good reason for that tire selection. They work great on my JTR.

Yes, I reached out to Whatexit? in a different post when I saw he had both.

I currently use my truck as my DD right now here in Houston, but every deer season, I do go off-road alot on ranch roads towing a trailer with my Polaris RZR XP a few miles from the highway to camp after 4.5 hours on highway, then also on family vacations to Moab and other O-R destinations without taking the RZR. 2 years ago we went to Moab in the Raptor and did some easy-mid level trails; and on our way to Yellowstone last year, we did some O-R'ing and rock crawling (on the 100-mile)White Rim trail in Canyonlands(Moab), then on the way North we did some desert running up to around 75mph, which was fun as well. Not trying 70mph in the desert with the JT, but do want to be able to run washboard ranch roads without teeth chattering loose. I think the extra weight of winch, ADD bumpers, hi-lift, some overland gear, etc. will help dampen ride, and definitely looking at adjustable shocks with remote reservoirs. However, I know the narrower taller footprint of the JT will be more of a limiting factor for stability at higher speeds, safety wise.

 

[WillieFlo]

Went to Death Valley the beginning of January. The biggest impact on running down washboard roads and such at speed for us was airing down the tires and disconnecting the front swaybar. The first is free, the 2nd requires a Tazer Mini for the Rubicon to disconnect in 2Hi.

40 MPH felt plenty fast for the surface and the visibility. The ride quality is amazing to my mind.

I guess I don't get why 37's are part of your want-to list. A Mojave on BFG 315/70R17's is a no-lift-needed recipe and will ride way better than anything with an aftermarket lift.

37's were notably heavier and impacted handling and braking on an H2 I had. The H2's OEM 315/70R17's were the same as the Raptor. Turns out there was a good reason for that tire selection. They work great on my JTR.

Brian,
Yes, the Mojave with a leveling lift or 2" body lift was considered, but I want the JT to have more ground clearance and capability due to the length of the JT, both between, and behind the axles. In stock platform, Mojave has similar clearances to what I already have, and I'd like to try some of the more challenging trails/obstacles around Moab and the country with the JT, through rock gardens, mud, and water fording, as well as just sand & dirt roads. Usually, I do these excursion vacations alone with my family, so I tend to "overbuild/bulletproof" some things within reason, and have more than enough capability to get almost anywhere, if I drive it smart without breaking it.

I built the JT on paper for "s4!+s & giggles" already, and if I build a Sport S the way I want it, I'm looking at dropping about $40k+ just in upgrades like ADD bumpers(still on the fence), winch, lights, susp and front driveshaft tie-rod & drag link, dual battery setup w solar charging panel, flares, wheels/tires, air lockers, 4.88 gears, Line-X the body in Flat Dark Earth, etc. If I were building a JT Rubi, that drops down to about $32k+/- invested in upgrades. I thought about doing axles too, but that was just too far a reach $$$ wise. With 37's and a 3.5" lift, I think my attempt to build an overlanding capable rig would be right the first time. Don't want any regrets, and "I wish I would have ........." I've modified every vehicle I've ever owned, and my Raptor is probably the mildest one ever, due to it's "out of the box" capability. But this time, I'm going doomsday SHTF rig........nothing stops it, but running out of gas(that would be embarassing) or needing a 2nd spare tire on the same trip........

Yes, it's a sickness, and I've never been able to shake it. When I sold my Rubi, that was tough. I was younger, and had put alot of work and $$ into it(pic below). That Rubicon lived up to its namesake from what the buyer showed me in pictures, as he actually led his Jeep club on the Rubicon Trail with it. He said he threw more power into it, by adding a supercharger. Now, I'm 51 and looking to rebuild another Jeep. My wife says I've never grown up, so I don't think you can call it a mid-life crisis......LOL!

 

[WhatExit?]

Yes, I reached out to Whatexit? in a different post when I saw he had both.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...iator-mojave-vs-ford-raptor.30045/post-646064

Went to Death Valley the beginning of January. The biggest impact on running down washboard roads and such at speed for us was airing down the tires and disconnecting the front swaybar. The first is free, the 2nd requires a Tazer Mini for the Rubicon to disconnect in 2Hi.

40 MPH felt plenty fast for the surface and the visibility. The ride quality is amazing to my mind.

I guess I don't get why 37's are part of your want-to list. A Mojave on BFG 315/70R17's is a no-lift-needed recipe and will ride way better than anything with an aftermarket lift.

37's were notably heavier and impacted handling and braking on an H2 I had. The H2's OEM 315/70R17's were the same as the Raptor. Turns out there was a good reason for that tire selection. They work great on my JTR.

If you want to know what an "amazing" ride is on washboard at any speed, drive a Raptor on washboard roads. You won't believe the smoothness of the ride and the speed you'll find yourself driving.

 

[brianinca]

Wow, that's a REALLY nice Jeep!

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