Suggestion for JTR with Superpacific X1 To help with load, but keep stock height

[StuckInTX]

Hello all,

just joined the forum and posting my first message. Please be patient with me as I am new to suspension concepts/terminology. I am giving a lot of info up front in order to give readers the best idea of my setup/needs and avoid back and forth follow up. That said, thanks in advance for reading and any advice you may have for me.

I have a 2023 JTR 3.6 gas that is still 99% stock (original tires/wheels/plastic front bumper, brakes, etc). I have added a Superpacific X1 canopy, an ecolfow fridge and Delta 2 Max are in the cab on the passenger side with a homemade 60% seat delete solution. In the rear I carry the camping gear stored in Stacktech drawers and other items just tied down with bungies and/or with Superpacific bags on the gull wing doors. I have not weighed myself, but suspect my load in total without the rear camping gear (empty bed) to be around 600lbs, fully loaded maybe 700lbs or more. My max load per my sticker is 1151 lbs, so with 2 passengers I am at or near max load.

After the install of the Superpacific X1 I immediately noticed a lot of bounce and sway on turns from the extra weight. My only non-stock suspension upgrade has been to add the blue colored Sumospring bump stop replacements (SSR-407-40). While this did help relieve some of the bouncing and swaying, it is not gone. I am still sagging with the rear at 37.5in from floor to bottom middle of the fender. At night I am blinding oncoming traffic with my low beams.

Currently I am camping in state parks/national parks and occasional offroad sites off dirt/fire roads. I have not done any serious off-roading yet as I am still new and learning, but in the future I would like to be able to go on more challenging trails. I doubt I will ever do dedicated rock crawling. Mostly I just want to be able to expand my options of where I can go to include harder to reach spots and/or go with a group/club and not be the 'weak link' lol.

I have a non-negotiable requirement to park in my garage ( which is why I ended up with the Superpacific as other canopies would not have fit). With my current setup/weight and a too-low garage door opening there is maybe 2 inches of clearance to get in/out.

Given all these criteria, I need to keep my stock tire size and add as little extra height as possible so I can still get into my garage.

I searched this forum and others but haven't found anything quite matching my needs - usually when trying to add weight support people are also adding lifts and larger tires.

Based on my research I considered these two options, but decided against them (listed so people don't need to suggest them):

1) Airlift 1000's (part no. 60830) - seemed possible, but per some youtube vids may not be enough to get back to stock height. Given how inexpensive they are, I could see carrying a spare bag in case of one failing while offroad. Heard at full psi they are stiff and not a comfortable ride experience.

2) Accuair system - estimates from local shops gave me a heart attack at $15-20k to include all the labor and need for replacing the drive shaft in addition to the kit. Also, keeping my stock 32.5 in tires they said would look a bit odd when driving with the default 4in lift. Dropping down to the bump stop would only gain 1 inch of lower height while getting in/out of the garage without worry. But they said 35 or 37 in tires would be better while driving - negating the ability to drop to bump and still get in the garage.

That leaves me with these two options. If there's a 3rd/4th option, please let me know your thoughts:

1) Airlift 5000 Load lifter (part no. 57415) - This system, while more expensive than the Airlift 1000's, seems like it would accomplish the goal. My concern is would this limit any offroad abilities as I expand from simple dirt roads to actual offroad trails? Since you retain your coils, it seems like in the worse case of an airbag failure while out, I can still get home on the original suspension. Possible additional benefit might be to fill each side airbag independently instead of together. This may allow some campsite leveling of the jeep on an uneven spot.

2) HD Coils (and shocks?) - this is the area I have the least familiarity with and don't know what other components may be needed. I see Clayton has a 1.5 in lift coil (SKU: COR-1510151) and their page shows a stock gladiator with a Tune M1 camper and references 500lbs of load. Their page suggests adding an adjustable rear track bar and adjustable control arms. But, they don't mention needing new shocks, which when reading other posts seem like that is usually suggested when changing out coils. Since I suspect my load is more like 600-700 lbs, would this still be a possible solution?

In either of these two options, do I also need to consider any changes to the front suspension? Do you always replace front coils when replacing rear coils? Any other companies other than Clayton?

Thanks again for reading to the end, and any thoughts/ideas/recommendations you may have.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Well if you’re looking for a specific height requirement and have the data on weight of vehicle and all that I’d say contact Deaver and get some coils made that will fit your use case. For shocks it really depends. You don’t always have to replace them with a lift but most do to provide a better comfort level while they’re doing the lift. I personally would not trust an air type suspension if you plan on getting into more serious trails. Things break. Things that cost $10ks hurt way worse when they break than $1-5kin springs and shocks.

 

[justbig]

Dobinson and Ironman 4x4 both have multiple options for heavier rated springs. I personally run the Airlift as a budget option. I too am loaded with RTT, rack, water fridge etc. Typically 10-15psi does the trick. I saw the best improvement with trashing the OEM Rubicon shocks and swapping them to Eibach's others will also recommend Bilstein's. Either are great budget alternatives. Additionally I added a heavier sway bar from Whiteline (cheaper than the Hellwig version). I also recommend beefing up the rear sway bar mounts with Metalcloak or Clayton's reinforcement brackets. Gladiators have a tendency to rip out the frame side mounting point, the stiffer sway bar will accelerate this.

 

[StuckInTX]

Well if you’re looking for a specific height requirement and have the data on weight of vehicle and all that I’d say contact Deaver and get some coils made that will fit your use case. For shocks it really depends. You don’t always have to replace them with a lift but most do to provide a better comfort level while they’re doing the lift. I personally would not trust an air type suspension if you plan on getting into more serious trails. Things break. Things that cost $10ks hurt way worse when they break than $1-5kin springs and shocks.

I will check out Deaver, thanks for sharing your input.

 

[StuckInTX]

Dobinson and Ironman 4x4 both have multiple options for heavier rated springs. I personally run the Airlift as a budget option. I too am loaded with RTT, rack, water fridge etc. Typically 10-15psi does the trick. I saw the best improvement with trashing the OEM Rubicon shocks and swapping them to Eibach's others will also recommend Bilstein's. Either are great budget alternatives. Additionally I added a heavier sway bar from Whiteline (cheaper than the Hellwig version). I also recommend beefing up the rear sway bar mounts with Metalcloak or Clayton's reinforcement brackets. Gladiators have a tendency to rip out the frame side mounting point, the stiffer sway bar will accelerate this.

I had looked at Dobinson and didn't see much info on how to tell what their specs were for height, etc. Totally missed Ironman 4x4, will definitely check them out, thanks.
For your airlift, you are using the 1000's in the coil bags? I'll also check out the sway bar and reinforcement brackets. Thanks for your input.

 

[justbig]

I had looked at Dobinson and didn't see much info on how to tell what their specs were for height, etc. Totally missed Ironman 4x4, will definitely check them out, thanks.
For your airlift, you are using the 1000's in the coil bags? I'll also check out the sway bar and reinforcement brackets. Thanks for your input.

Yes the 1000's in the coils. There are several videos on how to collapse and fold them and zip tie them in a taco shape to install. I would power wash the coil springs and surrounding area first too. Raise the Jeep from the frame, I put my jack on the receiver hitch and unloaded the springs so they are nice and open. Spray the springs and taco shaped air bags with soapy water and slide them in.

 

[StuckInTX]

Adding to the thread in case anyone else is searching for info about keeping their JTR stock with constant load of a canopy camper plus gear near 600+ lbs.

After feedback here and reaching out to other manufacturers customer service, I landed on replacing the rear coils with the 1.5 in triple rate coil springs from Clayton Offroad ( SKU: COR-1510151 ).

I can report that the difference is amazing, and seriously feels like I'm back to stock ride comfort, ride height, and stability is just a bit off still side to side, but better than it was on turns.

I went from 37.5 inches under constant load back up to 39.5 in at the rear bottom wheel well. I was 39.5 inches stock before adding the Super Pacific X1. I threw my full gear in to get very near GVMW and still only dropped down to 39 inch.

With my max full load, the ride feels buttery smooth, bumps don't bounce the rear, and I feel like I have my stock rake back. I couldn't be happier, and will probably add a Helwig sway bar upgrade for the remaining side to side on turns.

Still have the stock shocks and may look to replace later on once I get more miles and trips.

thanks again for those who answered my thread!

 

[justbig]

Investigate the Whiteline brand Sway bar. Much more affordable and quite similar product.

 

[StuckInTX]

Investigate the Whiteline brand Sway bar. Much more affordable and quite similar product.
I will check it out, thanks!

 

[Artidemic13]

@StuckInTX, thanks for the update. I’m in a similar boat with my Mojave X (rear constant load ~500 lbs, though I am actually running 35s on Method wheels). Just wondering: when you spoke to Clayton, did they recommend you add any additional parts? Adjustable track bar? Rear sway bar bracket? Bump stop extensions? Etc?

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