computeruser
Explorer
We just got back from a week of travel in the TJ. Loaded with a week of gear in terrain that included a lot of sandy washboard and roads with regular dips/puddles, as well as a bit of time on rocks and on trails with 12" deep erosion channels, I was on the bumpstops way too much unless I kept the speed down to an unreasonably slow pace. With 100k+ on the original coils and 50k+ on the Bilstein shocks, I think it's time for some updates...and some suggestions on what to do.
I previously ran airbags in the rear coils, which managed the weight well with a ride quality I was content with. But with the Ford 8.8" rear axle I'd have to fabricate a lower mount for the bag to simulate the factory lower mount, and I think I'd rather re-spring. I've already got a SS-SYE, so a bit of lift is fine and won't incur those costs/worries that most people try to avoid. Current setup is stock coils/1.25" spacers front, and stock coils rear with about 2" height gained on the rear via the axle swap, which nets a slight rear-high rake with the soft top, rear seat, and no gear in the back.
Due to cost, I want to keep short arms. I plan to stick with my 31-10.50 tires for the foreseeable future, since I have two sets - mud and snow/ice - both with tons of tread. But I want more uptravel range and a bit more breakover angle, and need better axle control at speed - 25-35mph on washboard. I want to stay off the bumpstops with two people in the vehicle, the hardtop on, 2-300lbs of gear in the back, possibly another 100 on a roof rack. Our travel usually involves 3-400 miles of highway use before getting to the dirt.
Got any suggestions on spring-shock setups that work for this kind of use?
I previously ran airbags in the rear coils, which managed the weight well with a ride quality I was content with. But with the Ford 8.8" rear axle I'd have to fabricate a lower mount for the bag to simulate the factory lower mount, and I think I'd rather re-spring. I've already got a SS-SYE, so a bit of lift is fine and won't incur those costs/worries that most people try to avoid. Current setup is stock coils/1.25" spacers front, and stock coils rear with about 2" height gained on the rear via the axle swap, which nets a slight rear-high rake with the soft top, rear seat, and no gear in the back.
Due to cost, I want to keep short arms. I plan to stick with my 31-10.50 tires for the foreseeable future, since I have two sets - mud and snow/ice - both with tons of tread. But I want more uptravel range and a bit more breakover angle, and need better axle control at speed - 25-35mph on washboard. I want to stay off the bumpstops with two people in the vehicle, the hardtop on, 2-300lbs of gear in the back, possibly another 100 on a roof rack. Our travel usually involves 3-400 miles of highway use before getting to the dirt.
Got any suggestions on spring-shock setups that work for this kind of use?
