Need rear spring recommendation for JLR

[mqu02]

Can anyone recommend a good set of higher-rate rear springs that maintain something close to a factory ride height on a JLR? Elaborating, I purchased my '21 JLR new, and the rear springs are way too soft for my liking. About a year after I got it, I put a 1" spacer lift in the rear because it was lower in the back than the front, but in hindsight, I really should have changed the springs then. Fast forward to today, it seems like the rear is back to where it started despite the spacers, and that's without the gear I usually take on trips.

What I'm looking for is something that gives me close to the "right" factory height, or even slightly higher, that won't drop like a rock when I start loading gear in the back. I also don't mind sacrificing ride quality if it keeps my headlights from pointing at the stars when I go exploring. I know a lot of people swap springs out when they do a lift, but I really don't want to go down the lift road (yet). I typically have a pivoting Kuat bike rack on the back during the summer, an American Adventure Lab tailgate table, factory spare, plus the factory-equipped steel bumper, and that's it for daily driver duties. If it wouldn't be for the spacer lift, it would now be way lower in the rear than the front based on that weight alone.

Anyone deal with this before, have any recommendations, or ???

PS: I have OEM 33's on it and will probably put 35's on when they wear out, but that's probably a couple years away.

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[flyer92]

Been having the same issue with my 2-door Sport, and am running with 3/4" spacers in the rear....for now. I thought about installing a Clayton suspension, but the lowest one available is a 1.5" lift. Since these (and many other brands) are only designed for 4-doors, a 1.5" kit actually provides an additional 1" (+/-) of lift on a 2-door, which is much more than I need. Like you, I really just want a better suspension to accommodate bike racks, gear, etc., but I don't want to exceed 1". Definitely interested to hear what the experts here on the forums have to say.

 

[Reinen]

The 2" Old Man Emu Medium or Heavy Load kit will fit the bill perfectly depending on the amount of your cargo. The 2" is based on the Sport height so it's only 1" on a JLR. It's designed for overlanding with cargo. It really handles the weight well and wheels like its not there. If unburdened the ride is firm but not harsh. It's an excellent choice if you wheel heavy with cargo.

 

[flyer92]

The 2" Old Man Emu Medium or Heavy Load kit will fit the bill perfectly depending on the amount of your cargo. The 2" is based on the Sport height so it's only 1" on a JLR. It's designed for overlanding with cargo. It really handles the weight well and wheels like its not there. If unburdened the ride is firm but not harsh. It's an excellent choice if you wheel heavy with cargo.

Thanks for the recommendation. It's an inch too high for my Sport, but I think it might be a good option for OP to consider. Much appreciated!

 

[GATORB8]

IIRC, eibach has springs in one inch increments, I believe they share spring rate as well. I don't know the rear spring rate for the JLR, but the JLUR rear is 172 and 176 lbs/in for comparison.

Another option is air bags, but as you already don't like the height, that's likely not the best solution for you.

EDIT: Per Stelantis, 4 door curb weight is about 255 lbs more in the rear. Some manufacturers use a 1" lift difference between the 4 door and 2. Basically a 1.5" spring on a JLU is a 2.5" spring on a JL.

 

[GATORB8]

@AnnDee4444 has a ton of OEM spring info if you want to try to go with an OEM solution.

 

[AnnDee4444]

@AnnDee4444 has a ton of OEM spring info if you want to try to go with an OEM solution.

... and I don't even really know how to reliably predict rates either.

I'm not 100% certain that a typical JLUR has stiffer rear springs than a JLR (given the same options). I've always guessed that the hardtop/towpackage give different rear rates, also an XR could possibly give a slightly higher rate (along with ride height obviously) due to the spare tire & unsprung weight compensation. I am guessing that the 392/diesel/4xe might be too stiff on a 2-door and not flex as well... but again I don't have any real proof.


I do know that the 2-door has stiffer front springs than a 4-door, due to the wheelbase differences. Figured this one out the hard way by putting JLUR springs in my JLR (they were free). Ended up gaining around 1/2", which was enough to compensate for the winch sag, but I'm planning on going back to stock springs + spacer now, as I liked the stiffer front rate better.

 

[flyer92]

Basically a 1.5" spring on a JLU is a 2.5" spring on a JL.

True indeed, and exactly why the vast majority of mild (1.0"-1.5") lifts don't fit my use case in a 2-door Sport.

As GATORB8 advised, perhaps Eibach has a solution. I didn't see anything this low on their website, but I'll do a little more research.

Really appreciate the great feedback!

 

[flyer92]

@AnnDee4444 Per GATORB8's post above, I'm just curious if you could recommend optimal Rubi springs that would prevent my 2-door Sport from sagging with overlanding gear, while providing about an inch of lift. I realize that there are many variations of Rubi springs, depending on powertrain, trim level, hard/soft top, etc., so just want to understand a little better and see what you'd recommend. Many thanks.

 

[GATORB8]

@AnnDee4444 Per GATORB8's post above, I'm just curious if you could recommend optimal Rubi springs that would prevent my 2-door Sport from sagging with overlanding gear, while providing about an inch of lift. I realize that there are many variations of Rubi springs, depending on powertrain, trim level, hard/soft top, etc., so just want to understand a little better and see what you'd recommend. Many thanks.

Again for the JLU, but the rear rates between sport and Rubi are really close. If that follows for the JL, the lift is accomplished by free length and wouldn’t help with load sag. (You’d start higher, but sag the same distance.)

Here’s the spring dyno post from RK I’m referencing: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/spring-rates.16491/post-403896

 

[AnnDee4444]

@AnnDee4444 Per GATORB8's post above, I'm just curious if you could recommend optimal Rubi springs that would prevent my 2-door Sport from sagging with overlanding gear, while providing about an inch of lift. I realize that there are many variations of Rubi springs, depending on powertrain, trim level, hard/soft top, etc., so just want to understand a little better and see what you'd recommend. Many thanks.

I'm going to guess... ?

A 4-door Sahara 2.0 or 3.6 with tow package & hardtop. Someone might even give you these for free.

 

[bonniejf]

The 2" Old Man Emu Medium or Heavy Load kit will fit the bill perfectly depending on the amount of your cargo. The 2" is based on the Sport height so it's only 1" on a JLR. It's designed for overlanding with cargo. It really handles the weight well and wheels like its not there. If unburdened the ride is firm but not harsh. It's an excellent choice if you wheel heavy with cargo.

This looks like a pretty expensive solution to this problem. ? My 2 door sport is also sagging in the rear... I've added a hardtop, tailgate table, fridge and slider, cargo basket, bike rack on my spare. But, I'm really hoping there is a more economical solution? I also don't want a full lift - it is almost too tall for me to step into currently.

 

[flyer92]

This looks like a pretty expensive solution to this problem. ? My 2 door sport is also sagging in the rear... I've added a hardtop, tailgate table, fridge and slider, cargo basket, bike rack on my spare. But, I'm really hoping there is a more economical solution? I also don't want a full lift - it is almost too tall for me to step into currently.

I installed 3/4" spacers in the rear, and this helped to some extent. I could go higher, but that's when you need to start adjusting other unrelated components like brake lines, so I stopped there. I figured that if I have to start modifying these other things to go a little higher, I might as well invest in an upgraded suspension. Unfortunately, the lowest I could find was 2", which is more than I prefer. Got to be careful too, because few suspensions are made for 2-doors. You may see 1.5" suspension for Wrangler JL, but you have to look at the fine print because they are almost always intended for 4-doors. And when you put one of those on a 2-door, it will add another 1" to 1.5" over what's advertised.

 

[mqu02]

Thanks for all of the replies, and seems like I’m not the only one with this issue. It’s interesting the 2dr has stiffer front springs than the 4dr, which probably exacerbates the problem in the rear too. I also should have mentioned mine has a hardtop plus tow package too, so along with the steel bumper group, I honestly might have got the wrong springs from the factory (assuming higher rate springs exist). It sure behaves like I did anyway.

Agreeing with @bonniejf, the Old Emu option looks pretty expensive for what I need. I’m really not dissatisfied with the ride characteristics (It’s a Jeep after all), and I’ve taken it on some pretty long drives.

@GATORB8 also made a good point about springs with longer free lengths. That’s the last thing I want, because then I’ll have the worst of both worlds. (Jacked up in the rear until you load it up, then too low in the rear). I’d also like to avoid airbags because I just see them as a bandaid to an underlying problem, kind of like I’m experiencing with my spacers now. I also don’t know how they would affect articulation off road, and don’t want that problem too.

While on the Old Man Emu site, it appears they have a lot of individual springs available, although I’m wondering if they are cost effective since it appears they are all made in Australia. I haven’t had a chance to call them yet but will will provide an update on what I find out.

Please keep the data/suggestions coming! Hopefully it can help more people than just me.

 

[Iggy]

Can anyone recommend a good set of higher-rate rear springs that maintain something close to a factory ride height on a JLR? Elaborating, I purchased my '21 JLR new, and the rear springs are way too soft for my liking. About a year after I got it, I put a 1" spacer lift in the rear because it was lower in the back than the front, but in hindsight, I really should have changed the springs then. Fast forward to today, it seems like the rear is back to where it started despite the spacers, and that's without the gear I usually take on trips.

What I'm looking for is something that gives me close to the "right" factory height, or even slightly higher, that won't drop like a rock when I start loading gear in the back. I also don't mind sacrificing ride quality if it keeps my headlights from pointing at the stars when I go exploring. I know a lot of people swap springs out when they do a lift, but I really don't want to go down the lift road (yet). I typically have a pivoting Kuat bike rack on the back during the summer, an American Adventure Lab tailgate table, factory spare, plus the factory-equipped steel bumper, and that's it for daily driver duties. If it wouldn't be for the spacer lift, it would now be way lower in the rear than the front based on that weight alone.

Anyone deal with this before, have any recommendations, or ???

PS: I have OEM 33's on it and will probably put 35's on when they wear out, but that's probably a couple years away.

I’ve been considering Air-Lift or Firestone 1,000 lb air bags for inserting into the rear springs. My thought is to add air when loaded to the point where the headlights are about at stock height, then let the air out as needed. Both these companies make Jeep JL applications.

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