Rough ride

[Gvsukids]

I didn't like the factory sport shocks and springs and swapped them out with rubi shocks and springs and was much happier with the added stiffness. Factory shocks and springs were just too bouncy.

I swapped the front shocks on my Max Tow with Rubicon shocks and enjoy the ride much more. But I also have a winch and Mopar stubby bumper.

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[Nick83]

So I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who responded to my question! You prevented me from selling my Jeep all together. I bought this 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport brand new in March of 2020. One of the first to have own, I was so proud... First thing I did was put 35s and the Mopar 2 in" lift.

The moment I drove it home I felt the ride quality disintegrated but was too stubborn to admit it felt worse thinking... "I just took it to dealership and got their own lift kit, they know what they are doing this is great..." It looked so much better with new wheels and tires and lift. It looked "like it should have from the factory" Well... two years later it was starting to wear on me. I went to the Jeep dealership a few weeks ago and test drove a new Gladiator Mojave because I needed to know what one felt like without a lift.

It was hands down so much better. I felt terrible, did I ruin my brand new Jeep by lifting it? They say "it rides like a Jeep" I should just deal with it... So I posted this question to you all and after some of your responses I went to a Jeep off-raod shop and they confirmed everything you said and help further educate me that that Mopar lift is incomplete. What adjustable control arms do and what and adjustable track arm does. It took me a few youtube videos to completely understand this and went through with the install. Thank you again, Im so excited to have my truck back and I'm not terrified to drive on the highway now lol...
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[HooliganActual]

I went to a Jeep off-raod shop and they confirmed everything you said and help further educate me that that Mopar lift is incomplete.

Thank you again, Im so excited to have my truck back and I'm not terrified to drive on the highway now lol...
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Out of curiosity, what did they wind up doing to get you back where you need to be? Others may benefit from knowing...

 

[Nick83]

Out of curiosity, what did they wind up doing to get you back where you need to be? Others may benefit from knowing...

yea, to be more specific what I added to the Mopar lift was Teraflex upper and lower control arms for both front and rear, and the Teraflex track bar. All of the hardware is running their IR bushings.

 

[Blackjeepjk]

I have a complete quality lift. Mine rides and handles as good as factory height except when it gets cold! anytime I have multiple days below 35* temps and it just doesn’t ride/handle as good as factory.
I really believe mine has more to do with the larger tires in cold weather. Lower air pressure puts a small bandage on it but still there.
come on spring!!! ?

 

[GladLad]

What an informational ride this thread was and glad it worked out for you!

Came in here trying to see what I need to test drive to compare a lifted max tow or Overland to a Mojave (since you don't really find lifts on the lot). Still don't know that, but does add more truth to what it takes to properly lift a Gladiator. It's not just Mopar and tires. More parts, regearing, all the labor, etc. Kind of eats into the price and convenience difference of max/Overland vs Mojave when you don't have the tools/skills. Though I'd like to learn some.

A lift does look good though, but Mojave on 35s may be enough. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Trippin01]

Air down your tires to 17 lbs and use it off road. Even a sports car with great handling will be smother on pavement. Car = Daily Driver, JT = off road, and you'll be amazed at how smooth the long wheel base is on dirt. A Subaru is a marginal compromise if you prefer to have just one vehicle that can do a little bit of everything, fairly comfortable. Just saying When my DD is unavailable, I hate my JT in town and traffic, going on 3.5 years now, but I fall in love with it all over again when I use it for its intended purpose, off roading.

 

[GladLad]

yea, to be more specific what I added to the Mopar lift was Teraflex upper and lower control arms for both front and rear, and the Teraflex track bar. All of the hardware is running their IR bushings.

For lift, control arms, track bars, install, etc. what do you think the final $ count is to make the lift complete/proper? Not counting wheels/tires.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Still think he’d do better with either adjustable control arms or the geometry correction brackets.

Geometry correction is for one purpose - making the arms parallel to the ground and each other (some do allow caster adjustment), adjustable control arms are for setting caster and don't help ride and geometry.

You can't change caster split because the axle is SOLID.
You can't twist one end and not the other. Caster is the tilt of the steering knuckles.
You can't push the bottom forward, holding the top in place on one side of a solid tube and not push the bottom side of the other end forward.

Caster specs are something like 4.2 for a minimum.

 

[Lunentucker]

What an informational ride this thread was and glad it worked out for you!

Came in here trying to see what I need to test drive to compare a lifted max tow or Overland to a Mojave (since you don't really find lifts on the lot). Still don't know that, but does add more truth to what it takes to properly lift a Gladiator. It's not just Mopar and tires. More parts, regearing, all the labor, etc. Kind of eats into the price and convenience difference of max/Overland vs Mojave when you don't have the tools/skills. Though I'd like to learn some.

A lift does look good though, but Mojave on 35s may be enough. Decisions, decisions.

You can have both, a lift and a good ride.
I'd put my Mojave on 2 inch AEV and 35's up against any other one here, factory or modified, for ride quality and drivability.
You just have to do the right things in the right places.
IMO, Jeep's factory caster specs are absurdly low, and somewhere around 6.5-7.0 is ideal.

 

[dcmdon]

On road ride in a capable off road setup was the main reason I got the Mojave.

It just feels well sorted out. It's got relatively soft springs and relatively heavy damping.

Between the extra height at the front and the high fenders I can run 35s with no lift, no rubbing, and it doesn't look "stuffed", which is a look I dont like.

I'm very happy with how it looks and drives with 35" Xtreme Recon take-offs with BFG C rated K02s.

 

[dcmdon]

You can have both, a lift and a good ride.
I'd put my Mojave on 2 inch AEV and 35's up against any other one here, factory or modified, for ride quality and drivability.
You just have to do the right things in the right places.
IMO, Jeep's factory caster specs are absurdly low, and somewhere around 6.5-7.0 is ideal.

So did you do anything to increase caster? The AEV lift will actually reduce caster from stock since it doesn't come with new control arms or drop brackets.

 

[Lunentucker]

So did you do anything to increase caster? The AEV lift will actually reduce caster from stock since it doesn't come with new control arms or drop brackets.

Rancho brackets one hole past recommended.

 

[GladLad]

You can have both, a lift and a good ride.
I'd put my Mojave on 2 inch AEV and 35's up against any other one here, factory or modified, for ride quality and drivability.
You just have to do the right things in the right places.
IMO, Jeep's factory caster specs are absurdly low, and somewhere around 6.5-7.0 is ideal.

I know, I'm moreso considering options to justify the mojave (which isn't too hard at times). I'll take a mojave stock, even better with 35s, and possibly eventually with a lift. However, I can't accept a Sport S stock. It just doesn't look right so needs a lift/wheel/tire upgrade.

So I'm trying to price out what it takes to make a max tow right vs a mojave stock (or on 35s). Consider all the other benefits to see if difference is worth it. Warranty, ride, resale, locker, etc. It's not apples to apples in any matter.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Resale isn't going to be any big part of it. Besides, anything you think it might be is only speculation.

You can have a good ride and handling.
My Overland was a perfect ride, then I added the Synergy 2" springs up front and I swear it's actually a touch better. The multi-rate springs a great. It took the front of my truck up about 1.75" from stock. I put Daystar 3/4" spacers under the rear springs.
The springs under the front of mine are longer than any other springs I've had - and the stock Overland springs are actually a bit longer than Mojave springs (there's another post here from a couple of years ago where we compared springs)

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