Add Rubicon shocks only

[AnnDee4444]

The Sport/Sahara/Rubicon (gas models) all have the same bump stop. The standard Rubicon shocks don't droop enough to unseat Sport springs. 392 & XR shocks require about a 1" taller bump stop (Jeep did 1-3/8" taller), but still don't have enough droop to unseat Sport springs.

Related thread: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-2dr-sport-only-thread.15647/page-20#post-1040143

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[Reinen]

Better articulation and better performance offroad overall since they are stiffer and longer. They are able to better dampen the coils. You'll essentially be able to match the flex of a Rubicon but you wont have the same ground clearance of course. So might drag more when flexing unless paired with larger tires, like the willys.

If you don't match it with longer springs better articulation can be a bad thing. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

 

[AnnDee4444]

If you don't match it with longer springs better articulation can be a bad thing. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

See this post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/add-rubicon-shocks-only.105506/page-2#post-2194245

 

[entropy]

If you don't match it with longer springs better articulation can be a bad thing. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

It is totally fine. Again, this is basically the willys model. And the willys model is not a bad thing.

 

[Reinen]

See this post: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/add-rubicon-shocks-only.105506/page-2#post-2194245

That guy is leaving a minimal safety margin for keeping springs in place at full extension. There's more forces involved than a simple extension & compression on jack stands. Not saying you can't get away with it but as an engineer I like a healthy safety margin. His measurements allow too much extension IMO.

 

[Traveller128]

Eventually I'm going to run the Fox 2.0 IFP 0-1.5" shocks, which fit and provide another 2" more droop over Rubicon shocks even. And the Sport springs still don't fall out: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/the-2dr-sport-only-thread.15647/post-1041924

It works. And if you use the Rubicon springs for your model (spring chart) you'll end up with a little more ground clearance, without screwing up the aero too much. Combined with sway bar link disconnects, you can get get over 60 degrees of flex. For casual wheeling, it completely meets our needs for anything we'll deal with.

 

[AnnDee4444]

That guy is leaving a minimal safety margin for keeping springs in place at full extension. There's more forces involved than a simple extension & compression on jack stands. Not saying you can't get away with it but as an engineer I like a healthy safety margin. His measurements allow too much extension IMO.

How much safety margin is acceptable?

I'll assume the measurements are the absolute maximum (worst case). The Rubicon shocks are 23.625" extended in the front, 26" rear. This leaves 2.625" of compressed spring in the front, and slightly less than 1.75" in the rear (he front spring compresses the same amount as the shock, but the rear springs are mounted further inboard... and I haven't measured the spring spacing).

The lowest JL spring rate is on a 4-door sport at 114 #/inch front, 171 #/inch rear. That means there should be roughly 300# of spring pressure at maximum droop in the front, slightly less in the rear.

 

[azwjowner]

That guy is leaving a minimal safety margin for keeping springs in place at full extension. There's more forces involved than a simple extension & compression on jack stands. Not saying you can't get away with it but as an engineer I like a healthy safety margin. His measurements allow too much extension IMO.

At least for me, I already have 0.5" spacers that would give me additional margin.

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