Trying to think through front spring options

[ShadowsPapa]

How did your truck turn out? Very interested to see the final look and measurements achieved. I have an Overland and was looking at either Synergy or Eibach 1” lift springs. Eibach I would have to use Wrangler front 1” springs though.

It was a learning experience. And some things I should have known if nothing else due to the weight difference between Wrangler (JLU) and Gladiator (JT)
The Synergy spring "size" is based on the JLU Rubicon. Now they did tell me that it was a Rubicon JLU with steel bumper and winch and so on that they based their numbers on when I spoke with them, but then their documentation contradicted what they said on the phone and in a FB message.

The front of a JT Overland as I measure them is 21.5" between the center of the wheel and the ridge on the fender flare black trim.
This way it doesn't matter what tires are on the truck or how high they are inflated, etc.
So if I change tire sizes I can still use any historical measurements I have taken with any tire on the truck.

Every overland I have measured - both of my own and several on dealer lots, have come out to 21.5" as shown above.
That's stock, how they start right off the lot.
When I put the steel bumper, 2" receiver and winch on the front it settled down to 20.75"
So it dropped 3/4" with the extra weight.
With the 1" Synergy springs under the front, it raised it back up to 21.5" - not 1" higher than stock as expected and as they described on the phone. It started out at 22" but settled back to 21.5" after a few weeks.
At least it was back to stock, but with the snow plow it really settled down.
So I swapped the 1" synergy springs up front out for 2" Synergy springs.

The 2" synergy springs took it up to 23.25" and that was pretty nice after I got over the big change.
Now when I measure, though, it's sitting at 22.5" every time I measure it and I've measured it after a number of trips and it always comes back to 22.5".
So it appears that their springs settle 3/4" after a few weeks.
Both the 1" and the 2" springs settled 3/4" a few weeks after the install.

So it looks like the 1" springs will take an Overland back to stock height after adding a lot of weight up front.
The 2" springs handle the weight and lift it 1" above stock.
It doesn't settle nearly as much now with the plow on it.
Ride is good with or without the plow on the front.
I'm now disappointed that it did settle but - I still have a pair of 3/4" Daystar spacers I could put on top of the front springs and get it back to the 23.25" that it started out with after putting in the 2" springs.

Keep in mind I have stock springs on the rear with Daystar 3/4" spacers under them so there's still a lot of rake.

There's also a lot of weight on this truck, even "empty".
Steel bumper, winch, 2" receiver, snow plow mounting bar, RSE power steps which are likely 75 pounds per side.

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[chorky]

It was a learning experience. And some things I should have known if nothing else due to the weight difference between Wrangler (JLU) and Gladiator (JT)
The Synergy spring "size" is based on the JLU Rubicon. Now they did tell me that it was a Rubicon JLU with steel bumper and winch and so on that they based their numbers on when I spoke with them, but then their documentation contradicted what they said on the phone and in a FB message.

The front of a JT Overland as I measure them is 21.5" between the center of the wheel and the ridge on the fender flare black trim.
This way it doesn't matter what tires are on the truck or how high they are inflated, etc.
So if I change tire sizes I can still use any historical measurements I have taken with any tire on the truck.

Every overland I have measured - both of my own and several on dealer lots, have come out to 21.5" as shown above.
That's stock, how they start right off the lot.
When I put the steel bumper, 2" receiver and winch on the front it settled down to 20.75"
So it dropped 3/4" with the extra weight.
With the 1" Synergy springs under the front, it raised it back up to 21.5" - not 1" higher than stock as expected and as they described on the phone. It started out at 22" but settled back to 21.5" after a few weeks.
At least it was back to stock, but with the snow plow it really settled down.
So I swapped the 1" synergy springs up front out for 2" Synergy springs.

The 2" synergy springs took it up to 23.25" and that was pretty nice after I got over the big change.
Now when I measure, though, it's sitting at 22.5" every time I measure it and I've measured it after a number of trips and it always comes back to 22.5".
So it appears that their springs settle 3/4" after a few weeks.
Both the 1" and the 2" springs settled 3/4" a few weeks after the install.

So it looks like the 1" springs will take an Overland back to stock height after adding a lot of weight up front.
The 2" springs handle the weight and lift it 1" above stock.
It doesn't settle nearly as much now with the plow on it.
Ride is good with or without the plow on the front.
I'm now disappointed that it did settle but - I still have a pair of 3/4" Daystar spacers I could put on top of the front springs and get it back to the 23.25" that it started out with after putting in the 2" springs.

Keep in mind I have stock springs on the rear with Daystar 3/4" spacers under them so there's still a lot of rake.

There's also a lot of weight on this truck, even "empty".
Steel bumper, winch, 2" receiver, snow plow mounting bar, RSE power steps which are likely 75 pounds per side.

this has been really interesting to follow along and its crazy just how dynamic the situation is. But ai am glad though that your ride is tolerable.

 

[Kajo]

Thanks for your in depth testing and review of the springs. I have been contemplating switching out my 1.5" Teraflex spacers for springs on my Rubicon. After reading this I think the 2" synergy may be the way to go even though I may need to use the 1/2" spacer wit them to maintain the current stance.

 

[JT1]

It was a learning experience. And some things I should have known if nothing else due to the weight difference between Wrangler (JLU) and Gladiator (JT)
The Synergy spring "size" is based on the JLU Rubicon. Now they did tell me that it was a Rubicon JLU with steel bumper and winch and so on that they based their numbers on when I spoke with them, but then their documentation contradicted what they said on the phone and in a FB message.

The front of a JT Overland as I measure them is 21.5" between the center of the wheel and the ridge on the fender flare black trim.
This way it doesn't matter what tires are on the truck or how high they are inflated, etc.
So if I change tire sizes I can still use any historical measurements I have taken with any tire on the truck.

Every overland I have measured - both of my own and several on dealer lots, have come out to 21.5" as shown above.
That's stock, how they start right off the lot.
When I put the steel bumper, 2" receiver and winch on the front it settled down to 20.75"
So it dropped 3/4" with the extra weight.
With the 1" Synergy springs under the front, it raised it back up to 21.5" - not 1" higher than stock as expected and as they described on the phone. It started out at 22" but settled back to 21.5" after a few weeks.
At least it was back to stock, but with the snow plow it really settled down.
So I swapped the 1" synergy springs up front out for 2" Synergy springs.

The 2" synergy springs took it up to 23.25" and that was pretty nice after I got over the big change.
Now when I measure, though, it's sitting at 22.5" every time I measure it and I've measured it after a number of trips and it always comes back to 22.5".
So it appears that their springs settle 3/4" after a few weeks.
Both the 1" and the 2" springs settled 3/4" a few weeks after the install.

So it looks like the 1" springs will take an Overland back to stock height after adding a lot of weight up front.
The 2" springs handle the weight and lift it 1" above stock.
It doesn't settle nearly as much now with the plow on it.
Ride is good with or without the plow on the front.
I'm now disappointed that it did settle but - I still have a pair of 3/4" Daystar spacers I could put on top of the front springs and get it back to the 23.25" that it started out with after putting in the 2" springs.

Keep in mind I have stock springs on the rear with Daystar 3/4" spacers under them so there's still a lot of rake.

There's also a lot of weight on this truck, even "empty".
Steel bumper, winch, 2" receiver, snow plow mounting bar, RSE power steps which are likely 75 pounds per side.

Those numbers make perfect sense. The synergy springs appear to be 120lb/in, so definitely on the softer side of aftermarket.

How dis the ride change from stock to the synergy springs?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Those numbers make perfect sense. The synergy springs appear to be 120lb/in, so definitely on the softer side of aftermarket.

How dis the ride change from stock to the synergy springs?

Good, I'm not crazy, then. (well......... but that's another topic)
I think you are right - that number seems to trigger a memory of one of the Synergy web pages laying out the rates.

Ride is very good. Maybe not quite as "soft", but it didn't change how it handles railroad tracks and bumps for the worse.
It has far better weight carrying ability now but loaded or unloaded, the ride near mimics what it was before. I don't notice any added harshness.
If it's like other trucks I've had, part of the nice ride may be due to added weight but it doesn't feel heavy, either.
Corners and handles fine, ride is good. It's a great daily driver.
I suspect the dual-rate springs help it handle weight but keep a decent ride, too.
They are really tall when installing them so if I were into crawling over big rocks or through really uneven tails I have to imagine the thing would articulate far better than stock, or even MOPAR lift springs would. They aren't going to fall out, that's for sure.

 

[JT1]

Good, I'm not crazy, then. (well......... but that's another topic)
I think you are right - that number seems to trigger a memory of one of the Synergy web pages laying out the rates.

Ride is very good. Maybe not quite as "soft", but it didn't change how it handles railroad tracks and bumps for the worse.
It has far better weight carrying ability now but loaded or unloaded, the ride near mimics what it was before. I don't notice any added harshness.
If it's like other trucks I've had, part of the nice ride may be due to added weight but it doesn't feel heavy, either.
Corners and handles fine, ride is good. It's a great daily driver.
I suspect the dual-rate springs help it handle weight but keep a decent ride, too.
They are really tall when installing them so if I were into crawling over big rocks or through really uneven tails I have to imagine the thing would articulate far better than stock, or even MOPAR lift springs would. They aren't going to fall out, that's for sure.

You are still running stock shocks, right?

They are now making these all the way up to 4.5" lifts too..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You are still running stock shocks, right?

They are now making these all the way up to 4.5" lifts too..

Yes, stock shocks.
That reminds me, when installing the power steps I thought I saw one of those front shocks was wet on one side. I need to check it to see if it's leaking or was just somehow stained.

 

[JT1]

Yes, stock shocks.
That reminds me, when installing the power steps I thought I saw one of those front shocks was wet on one side. I need to check it to see if it's leaking or was just somehow stained.

If the stock shocks handle the springs pretty well, the FOX2.0s or any of the other mid tiers should make those springs ride like a dream.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If the stock shocks handle the springs pretty well, the FOX2.0s or any of the other mid tiers should make those springs ride like a dream.

Thanks for the info - I guess if one is leaking, I might opt for putting those in instead of dealer doing a warranty fix.

 

[JT1]

Thanks for the info - I guess if one is leaking, I might opt for putting those in instead of dealer doing a warranty fix.

Or just ask someone that has lifted theirs for their stock ones.. I'm sure there are tons out there, and they don't have much value in the secondary market.

 

[chorky]

Thanks for the info - I guess if one is leaking, I might opt for putting those in instead of dealer doing a warranty fix.

I have seen quite a few folkstalking about the 2.0’s failing quite early. Maybe consider wide ing the horizon of other shock manufacturers?

 

[Gvsukids]

Good, I'm not crazy, then. (well......... but that's another topic)
I think you are right - that number seems to trigger a memory of one of the Synergy web pages laying out the rates.

Ride is very good. Maybe not quite as "soft", but it didn't change how it handles railroad tracks and bumps for the worse.
It has far better weight carrying ability now but loaded or unloaded, the ride near mimics what it was before. I don't notice any added harshness.
If it's like other trucks I've had, part of the nice ride may be due to added weight but it doesn't feel heavy, either.
Corners and handles fine, ride is good. It's a great daily driver.
I suspect the dual-rate springs help it handle weight but keep a decent ride, too.
They are really tall when installing them so if I were into crawling over big rocks or through really uneven tails I have to imagine the thing would articulate far better than stock, or even MOPAR lift springs would. They aren't going to fall out, that's for sure.

Did you add any bump stop extensions?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Did you add any bump stop extensions?

No, but if I keep this one, I'm going to. No problem so far, at least in how I use it, but I'm strongly considering using the spacers that Synergy recommends to the axle to help prevent spring bind or other potential issues.
I've gotten by......... put it that way. Doing it again, I'd add the spacers on the axle for the bump stop to hit.

 

[Gizmo]

You seem as fussy as I with ride quality and most any spring will handle spacers BUT, you may not be as pleased with the new ride characteristics with the spacer. I installed 3” synergys yesterday to eliminate the MOPAR 2” w/ 3/4” spacer. It rode much better with Synergy but just a hair shorter in height as I hoped. Today I added a .5” spacer that I had previously installed on the mopar springs and I can feel the difference as slight as it is. The ride characteristic of the mopar 2 with a 1” then a 3/4 “ spacer after installing a steel bumper and winch started this whole change but it seems fine now

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