Going from Xtreme Recon to Stock

[CJ SCION]

Lowest price option....I had to do it because my girlfriend is a whole 5' 4" stretched out. I ordered via ebay NIB Canada made OEM plastic steps that come on Sports and Sarahs. Here is a picture so you can see how they look with the higher fenders. Eventually, these will be replaced with LOD steps / sliders, but there are many other pieces of toast stacked to hit the heat, and those must wait a bit.

I agree, do not try to modify the suspension down. Up is much easier (which I am doing via Metalcloak (they called today to say thanks)), going down is not as easy.

The advice given by @JLUR Farout makes good sense. The 35x10.5 tires on the Willy seen in the photo below do pretty good with the psi set to 28, it will warm and top out at 32 running down the highway. The 2.5" coil lift is about equal to your XR for access height. I am geriatric in age and easily get in and out at current stature of 5-9", used to be 5-11" lol. We are on a dirt road so I add splash guards to my Jeeps. Splash guards and side steps for the win!

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[Catiajockey]

I was thinking it might not "sway" as much on the highway at speeds of 75-80 if I went with smaller tires. But I think thats just how Jeeps ride on the highway. No big deal. I may keep the same tire size and add better suspension components like a Clayton lift.

yeah, a quality suspension kit with adjustable control arms will make it ride better. I liked the feel of my Rubicon stock suspension but the Metalcloak long arm kit I got really makes it ride as comfortably as a solid axle vehicle can. I always say get a suspension kit, it should include all the adjustable arms, track bars or relocation brackets, and shocks that are matched to the lift.

But first things first, lower the tire pressure down.

 

[ColonelSanders]

Lowering the tire pressure as many are recommending will make the ride softer. I think you said you want stiffer highway ride, which might call for better shocks, maybe with adjustable rate for you to play with. 33” tires will lower you an inch and might feel a touch more car like and will also require a settings change by dealer for MPH to be right. If you feel like the Jeep wanders on the highway you want to fix caster with new control arms. You could probably drop the ride a small amount with shorter springs without bumpstop issues, like maybe 1.5” or 2” lift springs to take you down 1” or .5”. I wouldn’t.. just get steps.

 

[ObiMatt87]

I have a 2024 Rubicon X with the XR package. I am considering "downsizing" to stock suspension and 33" tires instead of 35". Reason is for a better highway ride and to make it easier for family members to climb up into the vehicle. We do our "offroading" on dirt roads so the extra height isn't necessary.
Has anyone else done this, and what does it entail?

IAG just released some single steps for Jeeps that might solve your issue with entry. You can by the two step set or four if you don't want to go with a whole rail. And because your stated off-roading is not super heavy where you might do a lot of damage with a major boulder hit, you can install these and leave them on all the time, even when off-road.

Vehicles - Jeep - Wrangler JL (2018+) - IAG Off-Road

IAG started a thread about these, too, with questions answered:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...e-steps-for-jl-jlu-with-oe-rock-rails.143377/

Good luck!

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

How many doors?

 

[mark203]

I was thinking it might not "sway" as much on the highway at speeds of 75-80 if I went with smaller tires. But I think thats just how Jeeps ride on the highway. No big deal. I may keep the same tire size and add better suspension components like a Clayton lift.

The first step is to check your tire pressure. I run mine at around 32/33, and it is rock steady at 80mph. From the factory tires can be as high as 40psi, and that can contribute to the feeling of unsteady steering.

 

[mwilk012]

I was thinking it might not "sway" as much on the highway at speeds of 75-80 if I went with smaller tires. But I think thats just how Jeeps ride on the highway. No big deal. I may keep the same tire size and add better suspension components like a Clayton lift.

Your first jeep?

 

[Plumbean]

The first step is to check your tire pressure. I run mine at around 32/33, and it is rock steady at 80mph. From the factory tires can be as high as 40psi, and that can contribute to the feeling of unsteady steering.

I think mine were 48 PSI when I picked it up at the dealer. Crazy.

 

[newbie5150]

Your first jeep?

No, my 3rd. But my other ones had smaller tires, so I am just getting used to the bigger tires.

 

[newbie5150]

IAG just released some single steps for Jeeps that might solve your issue with entry. You can by the two step set or four if you don't want to go with a whole rail. And because your stated off-roading is not super heavy where you might do a lot of damage with a major boulder hit, you can install these and leave them on all the time, even when off-road.

Vehicles - Jeep - Wrangler JL (2018+) - IAG Off-Road

IAG started a thread about these, too, with questions answered:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...e-steps-for-jl-jlu-with-oe-rock-rails.143377/

Good luck!

Thank you for all of this info! I am definitely going to get some steps and get the PSI dialed in.

 

[AcesandEights]

I have a 2024 Rubicon X with the XR package. I am considering "downsizing" to stock suspension and 33" tires instead of 35". Reason is for a better highway ride and to make it easier for family members to climb up into the vehicle. We do our "offroading" on dirt roads so the extra height isn't necessary.
Has anyone else done this, and what does it entail?

Isn't the XR package stock?

 

[Aussicon]

To be honest, I think you would find a Grand Cherokee Overland or TrailHawk much better suited to your needs. Both very capable and comfortable for the usage you describe. Had a diesel Overland for ten years and loved it.

 

[ObiMatt87]

The first step is to check your tire pressure. I run mine at around 32/33, and it is rock steady at 80mph. From the factory tires can be as high as 40psi, and that can contribute to the feeling of unsteady steering.

Exactly. Both my 2018 and 2024 had the PSI at 40 when I got them. Crazy town, and that kind of over-firmness on the road made for a much rougher ride and uncomfortable control feel. I also run mine at ~33 and that works very well for me.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Do you have any seat time in a non-XR Rubicon? You may not think it rides any better. The reason I ask that question is that if you came from a car or most other SUV's with independent suspension and such the Wrangler simply does not ride and handle as well. Also a lot of people assume the ride and handling will be worse just because it has a small "lift" and bigger tires.

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