Jeep Suspension

Just got my old Wrangler back from a 4 year loan to my brother in San Diego, and my standards for ride quality have obviously changed dramatically. Prior to building up my Yaris and becoming an autocrosser, I was a truck/4x4 guy for most of my life, where my priority was toughness and capability/articulation. Bottom line: the ride on my Jeep sucks donkey dick.

I'm trying to determine the source of my problem, and maybe y'all can help. The truck rides like a bouncy buckboard; a high-frequency see-saw. I'm wondering if the springs are ultimately the issue, or if better shocks might make enough difference to tame them.

-95 Jeep YJ, 4.0 I6 5MT
-4-inch lift springs (installed about 6 years/30K miles ago) rated for HT
-extended length Rough Country (cheap) shocks (same age as lift kit)
-31x10.5/15 AT tires on 15x10 wheels (used to run 33x12.5 tires)

Since there is a lot of suspension knowledge on this forum, I figured someone might have some ideas on the feasibility of taming this beast. Can stiff leaf springs on a swb vehicle be smoothed out and controlled with new shocks, are expensive softer springs the answer, or am I in denial and just need to accept that old Jeeps actually ride like crap?

Yj's ride rough ish . There are softer springs out there (some composite or fiberglass supposed to be great) and some bilstien 7100 shocks valved right should help.

Oh and search over on pirate4x4 as well if you haven't already.

Wagoneer springs are softer and provide lift. I have not ridden in a YJ that did not want to remove a kidney however. Bilstein 5100 or 7100s are nice but its hard to make a mule not ride like a mule. Consider a coil spring conversion?

I think that the old jeep with SWB is always going to ride rough. It has SWB and is relatively light with stiff leaf springs. New shocks will help, but only so much. Get some 33x10.5x15 tires and run at 20psi for added smoothness (and awesome aesthetics).

Yes it can be smoothed out. If the shocks are too stiff it will cause a jaring ride. I like the Rancho RSX-9000 Shocks. You can dial them in to get the ride quality you want.

What springs are installed. If they are heavy duty they will ride rougher then a normal duty spring.

Last but not least. Try dropping a few lbs of air preasure out of the tires. You are running a larger tire than stock, at stock preasure the ride will be rough.

On my TJ, I run a 31x10.5 inch tire. From the factory it came with a 30x9.5. Stock tire preasure is 32 lbs. I run 30 on the current tires. If I go up to 32, I can really feel a difference in the ride and the tires don't make a good contact patch accross the entire tread width.

Get one of these it would solve all the problems you are currently having with the Jeep -
http://www.i-sell-florida.com/wp-con...1/for_sale.jpg

Then get a nice Le Sabre they ride smoooooth! ::pimp::

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Get one of these it would solve all the problems you are currently having with the Jeep

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Not to get too far off topic, but if you are considering selling, my friend in Vegas is looking for a Jeep right now. He'll be here for my wedding the weekend of the 27th. Last I heard his price range was $5k max. Not sure what you'd be looking for, if anything.

Semi-back to topic: My TJ actually rode pretty damn smooth. But you really can't compare to two at all, so my setup is useless to you.

Not selling it. It belonged to my brother who passed away in 2000, so I bought it from the bank and plan to keep it indefinitelty.

I'll look into Wagoneer springs and the Biltstien shocks. No interest in a coil spring conversion. I already run 28 psi, which is not an issue on the 10-inch wheel. The TJ's and newer definitley ride much better, but I am a fan of the "old school" Jeep construction, even if it is 50-year old technology.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Not selling it. It belonged to my brother who passed away in 2000, so I bought it from the bank and plan to keep it indefinitelty.

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Good for you! Not many people care enough to do something like that.

I'll look into Wagoneer springs and the Biltstien shocks. No interest in a coil spring conversion. I already run 28 psi, which is not an issue on the 10-inch wheel. The TJ's and newer definitley ride much better, but I am a fan of the "old school" Jeep construction, even if it is 50-year old technology.[/QUOTE]

When my kid and I did his early Mustang several years ago I discovered several local spring shops that will build about any kind of leaf spring you can think of... and they were cheap!!! We had a shop near Mockingbird & Harry Hines (they are gone now) build a set that made a huge difference with the Mustang. Little stuff like spring rate, and ride height, all seemed optional at little or no extra trouble or cost. There were several shops willing to do whatever custom stuff we had in mind for lots less money than I expected.

Thanks Jim. I know there is a spring and axle company just off of I-45 south of downtown Dallas. I'll give them a call. If anyone thinks of any others they've dealt with, I'm open to suggestions.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Thanks Jim. I know there is a spring and axle company just off of I-45 south of downtown Dallas. I'll give them a call. If anyone thinks of any others they've dealt with, I'm open to suggestions.

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Weaver? If so, they did the overload springs on my then new 1974 F-100.

If you're just running 31s, try to find some stock springs. If the tires rub anywhere, just trim the sheet metal as necessary, or add a cheap 1" body lift. I can't remember if we had 30s or 31s on our old YJ, but they cleared with stock springs. Do some checking around if they'll fit. Should handle better too.

Thx. I will not cut metal and I sure won't do a body lift. 31's will probably fit on stockers, but the knock on the YJ springs (and the reason they got replaced) is they sagged very easily. When I pulled the oems they were basically flat. I've considered brand-new stock-ride-height springs, but figured:

A) I'll need new shocks anyway with no lift, so maybe start there.
B) If I'm going to spend $300-400 on springs, might as well get custom rate/arch springs locally for a little more.
C) Jeeps ought to be lifted SOME. I expect to go back to 33's or 35's at some point (the point where I change ring and pinions again!)

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

and I sure won't do a body lift.

C) Jeeps ought to be lifted SOME. I expect to go back to 33's or 35's at some point (the point where I change ring and pinions again!)

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There's nothing wrong with a 1" body lift, but I'd not do any more than that. Most folks can't even identify a 1" body lift from stock without looking more closely.

I disagree that Jeeps should be lifted. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be lifted, but lifting for the sake of lifting doesn't make much sense to me. There's nothing at all wrong with lifting one enough to clear your tires - within reason. At some point, trimming metal makes a lot of sense. A lifted Jeep with little tires doesn't look right. Plus, there are some really b'dass Jeepcars with large tires and no lift. I don't like the front fenders here but it gives you an idea of what's possible:
http://www.genright.com/images/produ...HFTJK_a_xl.jpg

And, this one's pretty sweet for taking it to extremes:
http://jeepin.com/images/news/2009ej...r40images4.jpg