Offroad Head-Snap/Body Roll

[JEEP4U]

When you say more suitable shock could you please expand your thinking? I currently have MC rock sports.

2.5" adjustable reservoir Fox - King - or equivalent

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[mtbjeep]

2.5" adjustable Fox - King - or equivalent

Would you recommend a firmer or softer setting or just trial and error?

 

[azwjowner]

I've had this problem on old mining roads that no one has driven for 10 years. It's worse than "rock crawling" because rock crawling is usually large boulders and lacks the abrupt side to side motion from driving through a road littered with medium sized rocks. There's really no good solution because you're constantly raising and dropping all 4 tires up and down a foot at a time with every inch. It doesn't matter how slow I go (though that obviously helps).

Only solution is air down as low as possible, have tires that are as large as possible.

 

[Greendezl]

Even with the adjustable foxes or kings they will still be stiff until you have someone tune them. After that they will be much better. They will not be any better in this situation than the rocksports without tuning. I run front and rear AntiRocks with Rancho adjustable shocks and tires at about 12 psi. I don’t have any of those issues. Out of the box the Ranchos will be the softest riding shocks. They are not as good as the foxes or kings but at $500 vs $3500 they are.

 

[mtbjeep]

Even with the adjustable foxes or kings they will still be stiff until you have someone tune them. After that they will be much better. They will not be any better in this situation than the rocksports without tuning. I run front and rear AntiRocks with Rancho adjustable shocks and tires at about 12 psi. I don’t have any of those issues. Out of the box the Ranchos will be the softest riding shocks. They are not as good as the foxes or kings but at $500 vs $3500 they are.

Thanks. So you recommend a softer setting off-road. I ask because my google-fu seemed to indicate firmer was better.

 

[Greendezl]

Thanks. So you recommend a softer setting off-road. I ask because my google-fu seemed to indicate firmer was better.

Yes and no. At the softer setting after a while they will get warmer and blow through your travel and bottom out. But they’re adjustable so let it happen and stiffen them up when you need to. It takes a while to heat up though.

P.S don’t run a front AntiRock without the rear AntiRock . They are meant to be run together.

 

[JEEP4U]

Would you recommend a firmer or softer setting or just trial and error?

My Fox shocks have both low speed and high speed compression adjusters.

ex: If you are consistantly slamming-bottoming out increase the high speed compression.

ex: Running wash board, small bumps - I usually soften my low speed compression


Also, your running a monotube shock in a rockgarden................it will over heat quickly.

 

[JT1]

Would you recommend a firmer or softer setting or just trial and error?

Firmer/softer isn't the issue so much as total dampening. The rocksports don't control anything very well. They just flex really far.

Even a fox 2.0 ifp will help with what you are dealing with. A RTT will exacerbate sway and head toss since it's 6' off the ground and a couple hundred pounds.

I don't think you need to burn $3000 on a set of 2.5" body adjustables to tame your issues, and likely negatively impact your on road ride comfort.

 

[Ratbert]

You mentioned the possibility of getting AntiRocks, but also mentioned that you have your sway bar disconnected.

Do you really have it disconnected? It'll be significantly more compliant if it is.

 

[mtbjeep]

Do you really have it disconnected? It'll be significantly more compliant if it is.

Seriously. Come on man.

When it's zip-tied to the frame and I'm covered in mud and blood, swearing like a sailor, it damn well better be disconnected.

 

[AnnDee4444]

2-1/2" MC lift, MC Rock Sport shocks and a roof rack with a very modest amount of weight up high.

If you get a different shock, choose one that allows for a smaller bump stop.

Also consider raising the rear axle track bar, which will raise the roll center (and lessen the sway).

 

[JT1]

If you get a different shock, choose one that allows for a smaller bump stop.

Also consider raising the rear axle track bar, which will raise the roll center (and lessen the sway).

That's a really good suggestion AnnDee4444. At 2.5" of lift, it will help keep the rear more level, and it's a cheap upgrade.

 

[VolvDL]

I think you get your rhythm of throttle over rocks, off throttle coming down the back to reduce the amount of sudden jolts. I drive an automatic, and that allows me to lean forward and get my back off the seat, so when it rolls back and forth i don't have to whip with the vehicle as much. Maybe not possible playing with an extra pedal. But if I'm independent of the seat back I can manage my movement better.

 

[Philly_]

I think you get your rhythm of throttle over rocks, off throttle coming down the back to reduce the amount of sudden jolts. I drive an automatic, and that allows me to lean forward and get my back off the seat, so when it rolls back and forth i don't have to whip with the vehicle as much. Maybe not possible playing with an extra pedal. But if I'm independent of the seat back I can manage my movement better.

Now that you mention this, I 100% do that while on the trail and it does help. Also an automatic guy here with no manual transmission off-roading experience (yet), so I can’t say if the same movement is possible.

I think the most important thing the OP can do without swapping parts is try even less air in the tires and attempt to go a bit slower.

I really love my Rocksport shocks from Metalcloak and wouldn’t trade them for Fox or Kings because for the cost, I’m still losing travel, and I’m pretty sure I’ll notice the biggest difference at higher speeds. That’s fine, except I only drive my Jeep fast on the highway.

I will admit, a stiff shock in some heavy crosswinds might be nice on long road trips, but not worth it to me over the travel of the Rocksports for their cost… but man do fresh Fox or Kings look cool!?

 

[JT1]

I think you get your rhythm of throttle over rocks, off throttle coming down the back to reduce the amount of sudden jolts. I drive an automatic, and that allows me to lean forward and get my back off the seat, so when it rolls back and forth i don't have to whip with the vehicle as much. Maybe not possible playing with an extra pedal. But if I'm independent of the seat back I can manage my movement better.

This 100% does help. And driving a stick doesn't really change the difficulty there. If anything, click the adjuster one notch farther back.

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