Rubi 392 - 20th Anniversary Build & Backstory

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Suspension Upgrades Stage 1 -Part 3

Alright, time to share measurements and driving impressions. To start off, here's a pic of the 392 on stock springs, 37's and my current mods.

Measurements are taken through the center of the wheel to the bottom edge of the fender extension: F -41.5" R - 41.25"

...and the new set-up...

Measurements: F - 43.5" R - 42.5"

With the new Clayton 2.5" springs I gained 2" on the front and 1.25" on the rear. I love the new stance!

So how's the ride/handling? The Clayton springs feel perfect, delivering a firmer more controlled ride. The 392 feels more precise on the road. Even the steering feels a little better. Cornering is near perfectly flat and brake dive is gone, which I attribute to the drop brackets. The ride is still super comfortable. I notice less body movement as well. I think Clayton did a great job selecting the spring rates.

Here's the specc's on the springs for the 392.

Front:
Spring Rate = 188 lbs/in
Free Length = 19.375"

Rear:
Spring rate 1 = 165 lbs/in
Spring rate 2 = 230 lbs/in
Free Length Left = 17.00"
Free length Right = 17.75"

Speaking drop brackets, you can see in this pic how flat the LCA's are...

Metalcloak provides a recessed bolt on the bottom of the frame

Because I haven't decided on what skid(s) I'm going to run, we re-installed the stock exhaust cross bar

I mentioned in an earlier post that I really wasn't concerned with the clearance I was giving up with the drop brackets, and here's why. On the 392, the exhaust cross over is the low point. The MC drop brackets may actually provide some protection on the trail...we'll see.

A few details on this set-up. With the Jeep on the alignment rack the axles are centered via the new adj. track bars we were able to adjust caster at just over 5 degrees, which was what I was looking for.

That's it for this post. See ya soon on the next one


-Steven

Sponsored

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Wow, what did you do here?

-Steven

Installed this skid system including exhaust skid:
https://nextventuremotorsports.com/...m-belly-skids-392-hemi?variant=45862366642412
[/QUOTE]
You went all in on that brother...damn nice!


-Steven

 

[Rubi6mt]

Suspension Upgrades Stage 1 -Part 3

Alright, time to share measurements and driving impressions. To start off, here's a pic of the 392 on stock springs, 37's and my current mods.

Measurements are taken through the center of the wheel: F -41.5" R - 41.25"

...and the new set-up...

Measurements: F - 43.5" R - 42.5"

With the new springs I gained 2" on the front and 1.25" on the rear. I love the new stance!

So how's the ride/handling? The Clayton springs feel perfect, delivering a firmer more controlled ride. The 392 feels more precise on the road. Even the steering feels a little better. Cornering is near perfectly flat and brake dive is gone, which I attribute to the drop brackets.

Speaking drop brackets, you can see in this pic how flat the LCA's are...

Metalcloak provides a recessed bolt on the bottom of the frame

Because I haven't decided on what skid(s) I'm going to run, we re-installed the stock exhaust cross bar

I mentioned in an earlier post that I really wasn't concerned with the clearance I was giving up with the drop brackets, and here's why. On the 392, the exhaust cross over is the low point. The MC drop brackets may actually provide some protection on the trail...we'll see.

A few details on this set-up. With the Jeep on the alignment rack the axles are centered via the new adj. track bars we were able to adjust caster at just over 5 degrees, which was what I was looking for.

That's it for this post. See ya soon on the next one


-Steven

Wow, great transformation!

Love how the springs leveled the Jeep.

Yeah those drop brackets definitely smooth the ride and can see how they will help protect the exhaust crossover.

Would start looking at skids before hitting a gnarly trails.

This happened to my former skidplate at the exhaust crossover when I was on a moderate trail, albeit with the factory lift

I hit an outcrop hard enought to bend the plate and push the exhaust crossover
up to make contact

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Wow, great transformation!

Love how the springs leveled the Jeep.

Yeah those drop brackets definitely smooth the ride and can see how they will help protect the exhaust crossover.

Would start looking at skids before hitting a gnarly trails.

This happened to my former skidplate at the exhaust crossover when I was on a moderate trail, albeit with the factory lift

I hit an outcrop hard enought to bend the plate and push the exhaust crossover
up to make contact

Thanks for sharing that. Remind me again what skids you had previously?

Skids are definitely on my list. Saving for shocks next.


-Steven

 

[Rubi6mt]

Thanks for sharing that. Remind me again what skids you had previously?

Skids are definitely on my list. Saving for shocks next.


-Steven

Had the full Metalcloak belly skids. I hit that outcrop really hard so the skidplate sacrificed itself and saved the exhaust.

Reason I changed is the significant weight savings, gain in clearance (the factory gas tank skid is removed), the exhaust skid protects the tips and I like the idea of the UHMW add on to slide over the rocks

edit: plus the 7075 aluminum combined with the UHMW should prevent bending like whatvI experienced. lastly I like the design of the NVM setup around the exhaust crossover more for structure strength

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Had the full Metalcloak belly skids. I hit that outcrop really hard so the skidplate sacrificed itself and saved the exhaust.

Reason I changed is the significant weight savings, gain in clearance (the factory gas tank skid is removed), the exhaust skid protects the tips and I like the idea of the UHMW add on to slide over the rocks

edit: plus the 7075 aluminum combined with the UHMW should prevent bending like whatvI experienced. lastly I like the design of the NVM setup around the exhaust crossover more for structure strength

Copy that! I'll definitely be going aluminum for the belly skids. I ran Artec on my previous build, appreciate the weight saving and flex the aluminum provides.


-Steven

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

A Few Extras

While getting Stage 1 of the suspension upgrades on the 392, I also added some much needed protection. Metalcloaks' Front LCA Skids and Rear Shock Bracket Skids. These are well built from 3/16" hot rolled steel plate.

Front

Rear

Front LCA Skids

On the install, driver side went on pretty easily. The passenger gave a little fight. Also, not sure why MC is speccing such a long bolt here?

These skids will definitely stand up to some abuse in the rocks.

Rear LCA Skids

That's lookin' much better and will provide some much needed protection on the trail.


-Steven

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

A few more pics of the new stance...

https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpeditionBuilds


-Steven

 

[Rubi6mt]

Love the build choices and stance!

Looks really level, did you have to put any spacers on the front springs?

Also 100% agree on LCA bolt on skids...I have the same ones from Metalcloak and they have taken a beating.

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Love the build choices and stance!

Looks really level, did you have to put any spacers on the front springs?

Also 100% agree on LCA bolt on skids...I have the same ones from Metalcloak and they have taken a beating.

Appreciate the kind words. The Jeep is siting nearly perfectly level. I love that Clayton uses a linger rear passenger spring to counteract the fuel tank sag.

No spacers at all. Super happy the the spring rates Clayton chose for the 392...they did their homework.

My OCD is bothered by the long LCA bolt's...may cut them at some point, we'll see. Good to hear the MC skids are holding up well to abuse!


-Steven

 

[Rubi6mt]

Appreciate the kind words. The Jeep is siting nearly perfectly level. I love that Clayton uses a linger rear passenger spring to counteract the fuel tank sag.

No spacers at all. Super happy the the spring rates Clayton chose for the 392...they did their homework.

My OCD is bothered by the long LCA bolt's...may cut them at some point, we'll see. Good to hear the MC skids are holding up well to abuse!


-Steven

That's great I'm the Clayton springs and their cistom tuning on the 392! My OCD would go nuts seeing a tilt lol.

Yup the LCA skids def do their job! Here's mine after a fun trail ride

Agree that the bolts are too long!

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

That's great I'm the Clayton springs and their cistom tuning on the 392! My OCD would go nuts seeing a tilt lol.

Yup the LCA skids def do their job! Here's mine after a fun trail ride

Agree that the bolts are too long!

Nice, those have taken some abuse!

The shock mounts would be mangled if not for the skids right?


-Steven

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

Stage 1 Suspension Driving Impressions

Alright, I've spent a week on the new Stage 1 suspension upgrades and thought I'd share my thoughts. As previously mentioned, I thought the stock 392 was the best handling Wrangler I've ever driven. Since the new upgrades, I have to say, every time I'm in the 392 (daily) I find myself thinking, boy this Jeeps rides and drives so well!

High Speed Handling
I've been working out of state the past week which has meant some two hour plus interstate drives. Here's what i'm seeing on high speed interstate. Because the Jeep now has less body movement with the new springs, it's more comfortable to drive at speed and over long distances. She will happily run 80-85mph drama free. The firmness of the spring rate provides an improved steering feel. The steering feels a little more direct as the 'softness" of the stock springs are gone.

Shocks and Fox 2.0 Bump Stops
I'm still running my stock shocks (saving for new shocks). Since installing the 37's and additional mods, I feel like I'm pushing past the shocks ability to effectively dampen the unsprung mass and additional mods. This is really apparent when hitting bumps at speed, where I'm seeing the suspension take a moment to settle after hitting the bump. Also, not having the axle contact the frame on every minor bump now with the additional clearance the Fox 2.0 bump stops provide makes for a better, more comfortable ride for sure.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what upgraded adjustable shocks will bring to the ride and handling equation.

MC Drop Brackets
With regards to the new MC drop brackets, I know they are adding to the improved ride as well as having no brake dive. Brake dive was considerable with the stock suspension set up. Also, with the control arms being in a nearly flat/level position now, some of the harshness from bigger bumps is not being translated directly to the frame but instead is sent through the shocks as it should be, resulting in a better ride.

What's Next
So what's next, besides the shock upgrade? I need to get the Jeep flexed to check clearances and bump stops sizes. Then I'll get the Jeep on an RTI ramp for some flex measurements. I'm making the suspension upgrades in stages because I really want to see what every mod brings. That's why I didn't do the full set of Metalcloak control arms on the first round. I want to get a measurement of flex with stock arms, and them see what the full set of MC control arms can do for flex/articulation. I'm pretty certain I know the answer to that, but I want get some actual data on it.

That's it for this post, stay tuned, more to come

-Steven

 

[Rubi6mt]

Stage 1 Suspension Driving Impressions

Alright, I've spent a week on the new Stage 1 suspension upgrades and thought I'd share my thoughts. As previously mentioned, I thought the stock 392 was the best handling Wrangler I've ever driven. Since the new upgrades, I have to say, every time I'm in the 392 (daily) I find myself thinking, boy this Jeeps rides and drives so well!

High Speed Handling
I've been working out of state the past week which has meant some two hour plus interstate drives. Here's what i'm seeing on high speed interstate. Because the Jeep now has less body movement with the new springs, it's more comfortable to drive at speed and over long distances. She will happily run 80-85mph drama free. The firmness of the spring rate provides an improved steering feel. The steering feels a little more direct as the 'softness" of the stock springs are gone.

Shocks and Fox 2.0 Bump Stops
I'm still running my stock shocks (saving for new shocks). Since installing the 37's and additional mods, I feel like I'm pushing past the shocks ability to effectively dampen the unsprung mass and additional mods. This is really apparent when hitting bumps at speed, where I'm seeing the suspension take a moment to settle after hitting the bump. Also, not having the axle contact the frame on every minor bump now with the additional clearance the Fox 2.0 bump stops provide makes for a better, more comfortable ride for sure.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what upgraded adjustable shocks will bring to the ride and handling equation.

MC Drop Brackets
With regards to the new MC drop brackets, I know they are adding to the improved ride as well as having no brake dive. Brake dive was considerable with the stock suspension set up. Also, with the control arms being in a nearly flat/level position now, some of the harshness from bigger bumps is not being translated directly to the frame but instead is sent through the shocks as it should be, resulting in a better ride.

What's Next
So what's next, besides the shock upgrade? I need to get the Jeep flexed to check clearances and bump stops sizes. Then I'll get the Jeep on an RTI ramp for some flex measurements. I'm making the suspension upgrades in stages because I really want to see what every mod brings. That's why I didn't do the full set of Metalcloak control arms on the first round. I want to get a measurement of flex with stock arms, and them see what the full set of MC control arms can do for flex/articulation. I'm pretty certain I know the answer to that, but I want get some actual data on it.

That's it for this post, stay tuned, more to come

-Steven

really cool to see the progress in stages.

I'll be doing my lift and tire build all in one go to save on shop labor so it will be interesting to see your perspective at each stage.

Will you be keeping the factory electric steering setup or are you considering an APEX boost kit or PSC?

 

[ExpeditionBuilds]

really cool to see the progress in stages.

I'll be doing my lift and tire build all in one go to save on shop labor so it will be interesting to see your perspective at each stage.

Will you be keeping the factory electric steering setup or are you considering an APEX boost kit or PSC?

You're right about more shop visits/time/cost for sure. I haven't had the chance to do this on previous builds, but nows the chance to.

When I get to the steering upgrades, I will be doing Apex again as it's been flawless on my 2020.

What are you thinking for steering upgrades?


-Steven

Sponsored