Aftermarket Suspension General

[sts90]

Is there any upgrade that does not require spacers or rims with increased back spacing? My objective is solve up travel issue on XR package after adding bumper with winch in most cost effective manner. I understand the many related jokes on Jeep costs but a reasonable way must be available. Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Throw a couple of inexpensive coil spring spacers in the front.

https://teraflex.com/jl-jt-ecodiesel-1-coil-spring-spacer-adjustment-kit-front.html

 

[AcesandEights]

Why would you need wheel spacers, or different wheels, at all?

 

[sts90]

Why would you need wheel spacers, or different wheels, at all?

From what was explained but AEV or metal cloak lifts require more back spacing that stock XR wheels provide. I don’t want wheel spacers but looks like puck spacer kit is my only cost effective option.

 

[AcesandEights]

I guess I'm not much help. I don't understand the issue you're trying to resolve, up travel. Seems the wheels and tires you have won't rub as long as you keep your current bump stops, which is what they are designed to do; however, you can add whatever "lift" you want to gain height without causing up travel issues. Sounds to me like springs spacers might be the perfect solution.

 

[Reinen]

I guess I'm not much help. I don't understand the issue you're trying to resolve, up travel. Seems the wheels and tires you have won't rub as long as you keep your current bump stops, which is what they are designed to do; however, you can add whatever "lift" you want to gain height without causing up travel issues. Sounds to me like springs spacers might be the perfect solution.

The problem is that certain lift kits have extended parts or thicker parts to make them stronger, reducing the space between suspension and tire. They also know that larger tires often go on with their kit. The larger tires on stock wheels go deeper into the wheel well, especially when fully turned. The combination of these two can result in rub so they resolve the problem by requiring the tires to be moved outwards with aftermarket wheels.

It's not up & down range that's the big issue. It's adding the lift with larger tires while the wheels are still at stock backspacing (which is very recessed).

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Are you planning to install a full suspension lift or do you only want to raise the front end a bit to compensate for added weight on the bumper? Those are 2 very different things.

 

[jaymz]

From what was explained but AEV or metal cloak lifts require more back spacing that stock XR wheels provide. I don’t want wheel spacers but looks like puck spacer kit is my only cost effective option.

I have a Metalcloak True Dual 2.5" lift on my Rubicon. The only reason for the different backspacing requirement (as far as I can tell) is if you use their lower shock mount brackets. I did a test fit before I installed the shock mounts and the stock wheels fit fine.

 

[sts90]

Are you planning to install a full suspension lift or do you only want to raise the front end a bit to compensate for added weight on the bumper? Those are 2 very different things.

I don't want to do anything other than add metal bumper with winch as to not be a detriment on the trail rides as I learn. I understand rake would increase but functionality decrease is in my opinion unacceptable. So I am being force down a path I want no part off until I am good and ready.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

I believe that the extra weight up front will not make a drastic difference. If there’s any sag it’ll be minimal and mostly cosmetic, not something that affects the vehicle functionality from a suspension standpoint. Put in a pair of spring spacers in front and rock on. You could take before/after height measurements from the ground to the bottom of the frame in front to see how much of a spacer you want. It won’t be much.

 

[AcesandEights]

@sts90 I think what you want is very minimal, and possibly unnecessary. 'Twere me, I'd add the bumper and winch, or whatever additional weight you wish, and see what amount of lift you would need to put it back to "stock" height. You can accomplish that with springs or spring spacers, if it's necessary at all.

You're using strong language; "force down a path I want no part off", "my only cost effective option", "functionality decrease is in my opinion unacceptable", which I understand. It sounds though like this is something drastic, and it appears it may be much less drastic or impactful. It may be you need no modifications at all, but if you need any they would be relatively small and inexpensive.

If you wanted big changes, they would take more parts and money; however, if you just want a little more clearance between the bump stop, or a little increase in height only to compensate for some additional weight, as stated a couple other times, you may just need a small spring spacer.

 

[BDinTX]

My objective is solve up travel issue on XR package after adding bumper with winch in most cost effective manner

Try going with an aluminum stubby bumper to minimize the extra weight and front spring compression. Agree with @AcesandEights, you may find anything further is unnecessary.
-OR-
You could cut your jounce tubes and install air or hydraulic bumps but you better be sure you're setting the them correctly or you'll break stuff. Plus they're not exactly cheap so I'd personally put that money elsewhere.
-OR-
The best performing solution is to install a lift but it isn't the cheapest.
-OR-
The most economical solution is to use spring spacers but it isn't the best performing.

Like in many arenas, you can chose from three attributes, but can only have two.

@Chocolate Thunder Not sure if you were aware, the XR, ecodiesel, and 392 all have 1 3/8" longer jounce tubes than other JLUs. On other platforms the added weight of a bumper and winch aren't as much of an issue. With these ones there are reports of 1.25" to as low as .75" of up travel depending on equipment.

Sponsored