Suspension For Higher Speed Off-Road

[3TV]

The 392 XR is a great base vehicle, but I would like to make it better for general off-roading, some technical and slow challenging trails, but also at least some higher speed off road travel. I know it's not a desert racer and was never meant to be, because I have spent a long time in the desert, with numerous different vehicles, and have competed in desert races on bikes, ATVs, and UTVs. Two of my other off-road toys are a Ram TRX and a Can Am Maverick X3 XRC. I've owned Jeeps forever as well, and as I said, I know they're not meant for high speed off-road, but it would be nice not to have to go quite so slow in the 392. So ... having qualified all that, If I intend to modify the suspension of my 392 XR for 37s, what suspension system should I be looking at? I don't intend to change axles (been there, done that).

My last JLUR had Eibach springs, King shocks, and MetalCloak control arms, and it worked very well. Should I be looking at building my own again? Or is there a "go-to" suspension system that people would recommend for my intended use?

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[SH556JL]

For this mission, I would look into @AccuTunedJL and see what they offer.

 

[3TV]

Thanks, SH556JL. I like that their shocks can be purchased for the correct engine, Jeep weight front and rear, and tire size. And you can choose from one of three different tunes on the shocks, depending on how aggressive you want them to be. And their lift includes Steer Smarts Yeti XD adjustable drag link, and a Steer Smarts Yeti XD tie rod, which were the same ones I chose on my last Jeep.

 

[firedude]

Sounds a lot like me and my jeep. Lots of desert back round with bikes, trucks, utv’s and a just about everything else in the desert. I do a little crawling maybe a few times a year but most of it is desert with rock washes, hill climbs and some faster stuff. you can check my build thread but really the key for me through the years has been to use a quality 10-11” travel shock and adjust and tune till your in the middle of that travel. Same amount of up as droop. For me it is fox 2.5’s with 11” of travel from Accutune. I have the MC 2.5 GC lift. I like the arms and their springs work for me although I might switch around in the future. Great service and tuning from Accutune. I am always tempted to go longarm( did this with my last truck) and coilovers but that is a rabbit hole for sure. To me nothing rides better. Still might happen In the future….

 

[multicam]

Not to derail the thread, and I’m not criticizing just legitimately curious, but isn’t that what the TRX is for?

Also unfortunately I have no advice for you as I don’t mod my jeep and don’t have a 392.

Anyway good luck, sounds like you know what you want!

 

[3TV]

Thanks Firedude. I had actually thought about using the MetalCloak 2.5" lift with Accutune shocks. I'll check out your build.

 

[3TV]

Not to derail the thread, and I’m not criticizing just legitimately curious, but isn’t that what the TRX is for?

Also unfortunately I have no advice for you as I don’t mod my jeep and don’t have a 392.

Anyway good luck, sounds like you know what you want!

Yes, that is what the TRX is for. The TRX feels great at speed, and is super stable at 90+ on dirt roads. Its suspension is smooth enough that you don't even feel the washboard, and if you hit a cattle guard at speed it sticks the landing, perfect, like an olympic gymnast, every time. But it is as wide as a one-ton dually pickup truck. If I am going someplace that I know will be narrow and brushy I take the Jeep. It would be nice to be able to get there a little faster in the Jeep, even though I know it wont be as fast as in the TRX.

 

[SH556JL]

Thanks Firedude. I had actually thought about using the MetalCloak 2.5" lift with Accutune shocks. I'll check out your build.

This is the route I intend to go with the 23 I have coming.

 

[Philip]

Coilovers are a great route and offer the most versatility. I have an Evo setup on my 392… but be prepared to open your pocketbook if you want to avoid adding limiting straps.

 

[hockeynut258]

If you build your own kit consider Bilstein 8100 bypass shocks. I went Bilstein 8100 bypass shocks, synergy springs and MetalCloak arms. Very impressed with the results. The shocks are specific to the JL and a bolt on kit.
I enjoy moving quicker in my Jeep. They have made it a great all round off road vehicle because it can now handle desert terrain. Still no sxs or TRX but far superior to stock.

 

[3TV]

Thanks for the information. Bilstein definitely makes good shocks. Is the clicking from the bypass valves loud enough to be noticeable?

 

[1996cc]

Thanks for the information. Bilstein definitely makes good shocks. Is the clicking from the bypass valves loud enough to be noticeable?

My friend has the external bypass shocks from Radflo on his JK. They warned him like crazy about the noise. I can hardly hear it. I actually hear it more outside the vehicle than when I drove it.

 

[XX4XEXX]

I would stay aware from anything Johnny Joint in my opinion. With several prerunner trucks in the family and Jeeps they require high maintenance and squeeze all the time after some miles. I'd also recommend putting your own lift/suspension together to get exactly what works best with what. Some say its Frankenstein but I disagree. Synergy, Evo, Clayton are all good starts. We're also running 2 rigs with Accutune Fox and Kings level 2 and love um

 

[1996cc]

I would stay aware from anything Johnny Joint in my opinion. With several prerunner trucks in the family and Jeeps they require high maintenance and squeeze all the time after some miles. I'd also recommend putting your own lift/suspension together to get exactly what works best with what. Some say its Frankenstein but I disagree. Synergy, Evo, Clayton are all good starts. We're also running 2 rigs with Accutune Fox and Kings level 2 and love um

EVO uses Johnny Joints…

 

[XX4XEXX]

I was refering to putting together his own.

EVO uses Johnny Joints…

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