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Running 40's, so which is your Suspension & Steering mods of choice?

Frenzy

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I just purchased a new 2022 JT Rubicon and will run 40x13.50R20 Maxxis Razr MT (39.8" tall x 14.1" wide, 93 lbs.) https://www.maxxis.com/us/tire/razr-mt/ on Method 105 Beadlock 20x9 aluminum wheels https://www.methodracewheels.com/products/105-beadlock-matte-black?variant=13863893336125
So I'm planning on these mods for my suspension and steering systems, but am open to exploring other more cost effective and durable options so please share your thoughts. What would you recommend to do differently, and what part(s) haven't I considered? Thanks!
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Frenzy

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Thanks for the reply. So let's compare pros/cons of these suspensions.

Rock Krawler 4.5" Pro-X No Limits Mid Arm 3 link suspension (JT45PXNL) is $3,473
Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 Reservoir Shocks (883-26-052) is $3,000
RPM 2.5 Ton JT HD Steering Kit for Rubicon (RPM-2001) is$900
  • Total cost $7,373
Clatyton Off Road Jeep Gladiator Performance Package 3.5" Premium is notably $5,190, which is $2,183 less expensive in parts.

Now let's try to define the difference in performance to determine which is the best value.
  • I used Fox on my JK build and haven't used Falcon before, so for me anyways the Fox Elite 2.5 is a tested and proven product, and there is a value to 1st hand knowledge.
  • If the Falcon shocks were purchased independently the cost is the same as the Fox.
  • Both shocks are built for racing, can be tuned, rebuilt, and have external reservoirs.
  • The Fox shock is a 2.5" body, while Falcon shock is a 2.3" body.
  • The Fox is designed for a 4.5" to 6" lift, while the he Falcon is designed for a 3.5" to 4.5" lift.
  • The Fox shock ratings are listed, while the Falcon only says "long-travel" (inconclusive)
Extended30.510
Compressed18.340
Travel12.170

My initial opinion is the the Fox shock will provide better trail performance for the 40" tires which I'm looking to run.

The RPM 2.5 Ton JT HD Steering Kit is 2" aluminum which will flex and return right back into original form. The Currie Steering Kit is rated at 1 ton and is only 1.65" steel thus not only weaker but will not flex as much nor return to it's original form. Clearly the RPM product has the performance advantage over the Currie.

The Rock Krawler 4.5" Pro-X No Limits is a mid arm 3 link suspension, and will provide more clearance over the Clatyton Off Road 3.5" premium package, however center of gravity balance/stability and ability to park in a garage then start to become factors for consideration. It will take me additional time to compare suspension geometry and resiliency advantages between these systems. I'll stop here for now to allow for more feedback. Thanks!
 
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Kindafearless

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Depending on what you are doing, you probably don't need the 2.5 shocks. I'm running a "very" similar setup with the 2.0 shocks for about a year, and the 2.0s are great. I've driven all day bombing fire roads and the shocks weren't even warm.
 

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Thanks for the reply. So let's compare pros/cons of these suspensions.

Rock Krawler 4.5" Pro-X No Limits Mid Arm 3 link suspension (JT45PXNL) is $3,473
Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 Reservoir Shocks (883-26-052) is $1,500
RPM 2.5 Ton JT HD Steering Kit for Rubicon (RPM-2001) is$900
  • Total cost $5,873
Clatyton Off Road Jeep Gladiator Performance Package 3.5" Premium is notably $5,190, which is $683 less expensive.

Now let's try to define the difference in performance to determine which is the best value.
  • I used Fox on my JK build and haven't used Falcon before, so for me anyways the Fox Elite 2.5 is a tested and proven product, and there is a value to 1st hand knowledge.
  • If the Falcon shocks were purchased independently the cost is the same as the Fox.
  • Both shocks are built for racing, can be tuned, rebuilt, and have external reservoirs.
  • The Fox shock is a 2.5" body, while Falcon shock is a 2.3" body.
  • The Fox is designed for a 4.5" to 6" lift, while the he Falcon is designed for a 3.5" to 4.5" lift.
  • The Fox shock ratings are listed, while the Falcon only says "long-travel" (inconclusive)
Extended30.510
Compressed18.340
Travel12.170

My initial opinion is the the Fox shock will provide better trail performance for the 40" tires which I'm looking to run.

The RPM 2.5 Ton JT HD Steering Kit is 2" aluminum which will flex and return right back into original form. The Currie Steering Kit is rated at 1 ton and is only 1.65" steel thus not only weaker but will not flex as much nor return to it's original form. Clearly the RPM product has the performance advantage over the Currie.

The Rock Krawler 4.5" Pro-X No Limits is a mid arm 3 link suspension, and will provide more clearance over the Clatyton Off Road 3.5" premium package, however center of gravity balance/stability and ability to park in a garage then start to become factors for consideration. It will take me additional time to compare suspension geometry and resiliency advantages between these systems. I'll stop here for now to allow for more feedback. Thanks!
That is only front 2.5 shocks its more to have front and back which I would expect one would want.
 
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Frenzy

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That is only front 2.5 shocks its more to have front and back which I would expect one would want.
Oh wow, my mistake, and thanks for catching that. I will edit the post to show an additional $1,500 for the Fox rear shocks.
 

bakobobby

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Be careful too of over focusing on single dimensions like total extension. While it does matter you need to be aware there are a lot of other factors. If extension is too long you may have a host of issues such as lines being too short, drive line this and that, coils fallong out et cetera. A well designed system is more than the sum of its parts.
 

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bakobobby

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You gotta add some $ amount for a new front driveline if you are going with those Fox shocks. Over 28.65" extended up front and the stock driveline meets with the exhaust. As you can see above the Falcon up front cap out at 28.40" so you won't have that issue. You lose 2" of total extension and a little over 1.5" of total travel with the Falcon over the Fox.

Sass told me the Fox are noticeable upgrade to the Falcon 3.x, he would know, he has Falcons. He went to the Fox vendor pow wow awhile back and got to ride the various types of Fox shocks. My take is the Fox are better in high speed stuff, for crawling either are going to be pretty top notch. The Fox are 1k+ more though and again you'll have to spend 500+ for a new driveline.
 

sass JT

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Yep. The falcons are in between the fox 2.0’s and the 2.5’s. The fox rods are bigger by an 1/8 of an inch, the bodies are 2.5” vs 2.25” and you get to adjust low and high speed compression. Now that said if you get into the edapt from falcon… they will adjust on the fly.

I’ve been riding on the falcon 3.3’s in a 17 JKUR and now my JT. I really like them for the simplicity of adjustment. I travel a lot for work, generally 1300-1400 miles round trip, and the falcons hold up nicely with my heavy 37’s and wheels. 82 lbs tires and 41lbs wheels.

Looking at what you want to do from your first post, that be an awesome setup. Like other have said, I would replace the driveshafts… front and rear with at least 1350 ujoints. If you haven’t thought of different axles you will need to really strengthen the front axle up. The front axle disconnect (fad) will be the weakest point. So trussing, c gussets, 2 piece axle shafts etc etc… 40’s can really wear on the axles. Also if your going to go off road, think about doing a fender chop. It will help with uptravel. Oh and on the rpm steering… since your going to higher than 4” I recommend doing a drag link flip even with you doing the psc system.

Sorry just thinking aloud here.

I hope it helps.

Jeep Gladiator Running 40's, so which is your Suspension & Steering mods of choice? 744B818D-E483-4094-87C9-FCF8317042AA


Jeep Gladiator Running 40's, so which is your Suspension & Steering mods of choice? A3976C0A-3E73-48BF-BF24-14C0DED7EA4F


Jeep Gladiator Running 40's, so which is your Suspension & Steering mods of choice? 0B52B756-97DB-4DDA-82B9-A98103A95F08


Jeep Gladiator Running 40's, so which is your Suspension & Steering mods of choice? 1CE7A228-C955-4284-BB14-B7D10E3FBF7A
 
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Frenzy

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Yep. The falcons are in between the fox 2.0’s and the 2.5’s. The fox rods are bigger by an 1/8 of an inch, the bodies are 2.5” vs 2.25” and you get to adjust low and high speed compression. Now that said if you get into the edapt from falcon… they will adjust on the fly.

I’ve been riding on the falcon 3.3’s in a 17 JKUR and now my JT. I really like them for the simplicity of adjustment. I travel a lot for work, generally 1300-1400 miles round trip, and the falcons hold up nicely with my heavy 37’s and wheels. 82 lbs tires and 41lbs wheels.

Looking at what you want to do from your first post, that be an awesome setup. Like other have said, I would replace the driveshafts… front and rear with at least 1350 ujoints. If you haven’t thought of different axles you will need to really strengthen the front axle up. The front axle disconnect (fad) will be the weakest point. So trussing, c gussets, 2 piece axle shafts etc etc… 40’s can really wear on the axles. Also if your going to go off road, think about doing a fender chop. It will help with uptravel. Oh and on the rpm steering… since your going to higher than 4” I recommend doing a drag link flip even with you doing the psc system.

Sorry just thinking aloud here.

I hope it helps.

744B818D-E483-4094-87C9-FCF8317042AA.webp


A3976C0A-3E73-48BF-BF24-14C0DED7EA4F.jpeg


0B52B756-97DB-4DDA-82B9-A98103A95F08.jpeg


1CE7A228-C955-4284-BB14-B7D10E3FBF7A.webp
GREAT POST, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. THANKS!
 
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MattyB

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So how did It turn out? My truck is in the shop now. I'm getting a RK lift and a bunch of other stuff to run 40's. The only thing I skimped on is shocks. I went with the 2.25 RRD shocks that RK sells as an option. Was wondering if your research panned out?
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