Those Who Swapped to Rubicon Shocks/Springs

[steveorama]

Well I could post a picture of my window sticker, but the 24w package includes “HD” shocks and in the spec and marketing materials they say it comes with “rock rails and suspension straight from the rubicon”. So I don’t know what they consider rubicon suspension vs “HD” and who knows which material is right. I know how marketing goes. But it’s a stiffer ride in my estimation from driving the sport or overland and I know it doesn’t have nearly as much rake.

The Willys does come with rock rails, but doesn't have the suspension from the Rubicon JT. It has the same shocks used on the JL Rubicon though. I'm guessing that's what Jeep is referring to by "HD" shocks. The springs are actually the same as what was on my Overland stock.

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[jjdustr340]

The wife’s 20 JLU is a Willys. It comes with the JLU Rubicon shocks but not springs. I’m sure Jeep carried that idea over to the JT.
However, I have wondered what they did differently, as hers and others Willys I’ve seen are nice and level without rake. So maybe some type of stiffer spring in front?

 

[Erievon]

Papa, you still have your Overland rear shocks? If time allows for research purposes, throw those back on but leave the max tow springs in there...see what happens? I'd be curious. I swear I got that buck on my stock overland springs and shocks, and now I don't on the rubi springs and fox shocks. To me the initial hit on the fox is softer, but more controlled on compression, like I would expect from a better shock. That's what puzzles me is that only your rears seem to have "worn out."

 

[Painkillerspe]

Dang now I don't know if I should switch out the springs or not.

 

[arneb04]

The Willys does come with rock rails, but doesn't have the suspension from the Rubicon JT. It has the same shocks used on the JL Rubicon though. I'm guessing that's what Jeep is referring to by "HD" shocks. The springs are actually the same as what was on my Overland stock.

I guess I found another short thread that says the exact same, discussing whether or not rubicon JT suspension is a worthwhile upgrade for the Willys since it is somewhere in between the sport/overland and rubicon. Seems maybe it’s really not worth the cost

 

[redfish]

I have a 2021 Sport, started with almost 2.5 inches of rake measured at pinch welds front and rear. Swapped out to rubi springs /shocks all four corners plus .75 spacer up front. so gained about 1.75 up front and about inch in rear and rode pretty nice. Decided to put stock springs back in rear as it was still a little high in the rear and I was getting pretty good at removing them and I bought some new tools. So I put stock springs in rear left the rubi shocks either bad measurements or alien forces only lost .5 inch in rear and still have about an inch of rake which was my goal and it seems to the butt dyno to ride even better with this combination. For the record I am not doing any towing and my whole 80lb kayak is the only payload weight. Running 285 70 17 tires also

 

[arneb04]

The wife’s 20 JLU is a Willys. It comes with the JLU Rubicon shocks but not springs. I’m sure Jeep carried that idea over to the JT.
However, I have wondered what they did differently, as hers and others Willys I’ve seen are nice and level without rake. So maybe some type of stiffer spring in front?

See I notice this all the time with mine. The Willys sits different. The sports look like my Weimaraner when she’s on the trail of a nearby rooster.

 

[steveorama]

The wife’s 20 JLU is a Willys. It comes with the JLU Rubicon shocks but not springs. I’m sure Jeep carried that idea over to the JT.
However, I have wondered what they did differently, as hers and others Willys I’ve seen are nice and level without rake. So maybe some type of stiffer spring in front?

@Garemlin shared previously his front spring numbers and they were identical to mine on my Overland. So I'm not sure why so many say the rake is different from Sports and Overlands when they apparently share the same springs.

Papa, you still have your Overland rear shocks? If time allows for research purposes, throw those back on but leave the max tow springs in there...see what happens? I'd be curious. I swear I got that buck on my stock overland springs and shocks, and now I don't on the rubi springs and fox shocks. To me the initial hit on the fox is softer, but more controlled on compression, like I would expect from a better shock. That's what puzzles me is that only your rears seem to have "worn out."

I'm the opposite. My Overland setup was like butter. Now with the Rubi take offs I feel an abrupt buck in the rear going over bumps. I've only had the takeoffs on for a month and it's been like that since day one.

I guess I found another short thread that says the exact same, discussing whether or not rubicon JT suspension is a worthwhile upgrade for the Willys since it is somewhere in between the sport/overland and rubicon. Seems maybe it’s really not worth the cost

Most folks pick up the Rubi takeoffs for around $200. So it's not too expensive to test the waters. The springs will be stiffer than yours and I would expect around 1" of lift and the consensus is the Fox shocks are better than the Red JLR shocks (supposedly built by Bilstein). But I have never felt the Willys shocks to compare that for myself.

I have a 2021 Sport, started with almost 2.5 inches of rake measured at pinch welds front and rear. Swapped out to rubi springs /shocks all four corners plus .75 spacer up front. so gained about 1.75 up front and about inch in rear and rode pretty nice. Decided to put stock springs back in rear as it was still a little high in the rear and I was getting pretty good at removing them and I bought some new tools. So I put stock springs in rear left the rubi shocks either bad measurements or alien forces only lost .5 inch in rear and still have about an inch of rake which was my goal and it seems to the butt dyno to ride even better with this combination. For the record I am not doing any towing and my whole 80lb kayak is the only payload weight. Running 285 70 17 tires also

How was the ride difference with the stock springs put back in the rear? I'm seriously considering doing this myself.

 

[redfish]

to me it feels even better with stock in rear with rubi shocks and rubi shocks and spring in front. Very planted firm but not harsh on highway

@Garemlin shared previously his front spring numbers and they were identical to mine on my Overland. So I'm not sure why so many say the rake is different from Sports and Overlands when they apparently share the same springs.


I'm the opposite. My Overland setup was like butter. Now with the Rubi take offs I feel and abrupt buck in the rear going over bumps. I've only had the takeoffs on for a month and it's been like that since day one.


Most folks pick up the Rubi takeoffs for around $200. So it's not too expensive to test the waters. The springs will be stiffer than yours and I would expect around 1" of lift and the consensus is the Fox shocks are better than the Red JLR shocks (supposedly built by Bilstein). But I have never felt the Willys shocks to compare that for myself.


How was the ride difference with the stock springs put back in the rear? I'm seriously considering doing this myself.

 

[Hamandcamo]

Are mojave coil swaps allowed in this thread?

 

[steveorama]

to me it feels even better with stock in rear with rubi shocks and rubi shocks and spring in front. Very planted firm but not harsh on highway

Awesome this may be exactly what I do then. I appreciate that feedback.

Are mojave coil swaps allowed in this thread?

I was considering it myself, actually before I found my Rubi takeoffs.

 

[TTU03]

The wife’s 20 JLU is a Willys. It comes with the JLU Rubicon shocks but not springs. I’m sure Jeep carried that idea over to the JT.
However, I have wondered what they did differently, as hers and others Willys I’ve seen are nice and level without rake. So maybe some type of stiffer spring in front?

My Willys front is roughly two inches lower then the rear. I do have some rubi take off springs and shocks I’m hoping to get on soon. Rubi take offs are from a hardtop and steel bumper JT so hoping for roughly a inch lift.

 

[redfish]

and just for reference as it adds to the equation, I am running 285 70 17 General ATX E at 35 psi cold

Awesome this may be exactly what I do then. I appreciate that feedback.

 

[steveorama]

and just for reference as it adds to the equation, I am running 285 70 17 General ATX E at 35 psi cold

Noted, I'm running slightly taller, but narrower at 275/70R18. So I imagine the weight is similar between the two.

My Willys front is roughly two inches lower then the rear. I do have some rubi take off springs and shocks I’m hoping to get on soon. Rubi take offs are from a hardtop and steel bumper JT so hoping for roughly a inch lift.

I'm roughly at 1 1/2" with the Rubicon takeoffs on my Overland. I never did measure the rake before. It would be interesting to start a thread and see the different rakes by trim.

 

[steveorama]

So I have one of those situations where, it's so simple, you just feel stupid. Now we all know having a load in the bed can affect your ride, but a few days ago I had to make a trip to pick up some dog food, nothing else just needed some dog food because I procrastinated. I tossed the 45lb bag in the bed next to the tail gate and whoa, my ride was perfect on the drive home! Like no complaints at all and exactly what I was hoping for when I made the Rubi spring/shock swap.

I have been complaining about the bucking in the rear over bumps and humps and that is completely gone with just under 50lbs of weight! I've hauled large and small loads in trucks for years so I'm well aware of the difference each load size can affect the ride characterizes of trucks. But, this is the first time since I swapped the springs and shocks that I've had just 50lbs in the back of the JT and I'm completely blown away that I was just that close to having the ride I had hoped for. So, with that being said, other than tossing a bag of sand back there all the time, what's a few things I can do to add 40-50lbs in the back above the axles?

Here's a couple I have.
1) I know I need to swap my spare to a matching 33" tire. If Google is correct, that would add about 15 lbs. I'll have to figure out the 17" spare steel vs 18" OEM aluminum weight though, as I have 18s and the spare is 17 and I have odd sized tires, 275/70r18. I don't see many 17 equivalents at the 33.2" height.

2)Adding a steel bumper. I'm ok with the plastic I could go either way. What's the weight difference?

3) Add some Rubi bed rock rails. I have no ideas what these weigh, is this the only thing that a Rubi has in the back that would add weight vs my Overland? The springs I have are from a plastic bumper Rubi.

Since this is so simple what else am I not thinking of? Any other ideas?

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