I'm getting back into my Jeep after several years of almost no action and need some advice on suspension. New job, moved across country, kids, finished degree...
It's a highly modified 2008 4-door Rubicon that's finally getting some love after an insurance claim from a hit and run. Sitting on 37" tires; currently on steel beadlocks, moving to Method 701s. 5:13 gears with factory axles; upgrading to Fusion 4x4 semi-float 60 rear axle. It's currently on some worn out 4" Poly Performance springs with King OEM replacement 2.5 remote reservoir shocks. Lots of armor such as gas tank skid, steel rear bumper, aluminum tire carrier and front bumper, winch, full cage. NOT a daily driver, also drives to-and-from the trail. I built it living in El Paso crawling over VW-sized rocks and it was amazing. Now with a family, the primary use will be mountain trails to go camping and occasional harder off-roading. The last time we went out, it was basically riding on the bump stops with the family, dog, gear, and pulling out little pop-up camper. I have two thoughts for the suspension:
1 - Keep the King shocks and essentially everything else, but replace the springs with AEV 4.5" HC springs. I know it would be much stiffer unloaded, but would still be capable off road and do much better with my camper and family.
2 - Move to coilover shocks with a kit such as that from AccuTune. Would be 12" travel shocks tuned for the heavier end of my setup. It would similarly be stiff, but in theory could be a bit more adjustable with two spring rates and possibly adjustable dampers.
It's a highly modified 2008 4-door Rubicon that's finally getting some love after an insurance claim from a hit and run. Sitting on 37" tires; currently on steel beadlocks, moving to Method 701s. 5:13 gears with factory axles; upgrading to Fusion 4x4 semi-float 60 rear axle. It's currently on some worn out 4" Poly Performance springs with King OEM replacement 2.5 remote reservoir shocks. Lots of armor such as gas tank skid, steel rear bumper, aluminum tire carrier and front bumper, winch, full cage. NOT a daily driver, also drives to-and-from the trail. I built it living in El Paso crawling over VW-sized rocks and it was amazing. Now with a family, the primary use will be mountain trails to go camping and occasional harder off-roading. The last time we went out, it was basically riding on the bump stops with the family, dog, gear, and pulling out little pop-up camper. I have two thoughts for the suspension:
1 - Keep the King shocks and essentially everything else, but replace the springs with AEV 4.5" HC springs. I know it would be much stiffer unloaded, but would still be capable off road and do much better with my camper and family.
2 - Move to coilover shocks with a kit such as that from AccuTune. Would be 12" travel shocks tuned for the heavier end of my setup. It would similarly be stiff, but in theory could be a bit more adjustable with two spring rates and possibly adjustable dampers.