Picking the right leveling spacers

[Zandcwhite]

Why do people over think the hell out of leveling their Jeeps? A full tank of gas will lower the passengers side by 1/2 to 3/4" vs empty, do you change spacers between fill ups? Do you always have the same passengers and cargo with the exact same weight distribution? ~150lbs at any corner will lower that corner by a full inch. Load up your camping gear and now the rear is "too low". Dial in your "level" empty, hop in the drivers seat alone, and now the drivers side is "too low". The suspension is dynamic, as is how you load your Jeep, don't over think it.

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[blnewt]

Did you need to adjust the LCA's with just the 3/4" spacer in front?

I had about a 2" lift (from the Rubicon 4dr springs), the bumper/winch dropped it about a 1/2" so after that 3/4" spacer was added it was roughly 2" all around. I did add the Mopar lift LCAs when I did the spring swap to get my caster around 6 degrees. I don't have adjustable LCAs, just those 1/4" longer Mopar lift LCAs.

With the 2"/1.5" additional lift from the new spacers I now have approx 3.5" lift from what a Stock 2dr Sport has. With the Mopar lift LCAs my caster is now around 5, not great but still not too prone to wander. I may go adjustable LCAs in the future to get caster in the 6.5 range, time will tell

 

[blnewt]

Why do people over think the hell out of leveling their Jeeps? A full tank of gas will lower the passengers side by 1/2 to 3/4" vs empty, do you change spacers between fill ups? Do you always have the same passengers and cargo with the exact same weight distribution? ~150lbs at any corner will lower that corner by a full inch. Load up your camping gear and now the rear is "too low". Dial in your "level" empty, hop in the drivers seat alone, and now the drivers side is "too low". The suspension is dynamic, as is how you load your Jeep, don't over think it.

Yeah, I don't really care if the Jeep has the raked stance, I just wanted to regain a bit more height in front that I had lost w/ the heavy add-ons. Now that I have those larger tires I needed that additional 1.5" all around w/ the 4dr spacer kit to account for that extra front weight to have equal tire clearance front & back.

 

[Flip]

I had about a 2" lift (from the Rubicon 4dr springs), the bumper/winch dropped it about a 1/2" so after that 3/4" spacer was added it was roughly 2" all around. I did add the Mopar lift LCAs when I did the spring swap to get my caster around 6 degrees. I don't have adjustable LCAs, just those 1/4" longer Mopar lift LCAs.

With the 2"/1.5" additional lift from the new spacers I now have approx 3.5" lift from what a Stock 2dr Sport has. With the Mopar lift LCAs my caster is now around 5, not great but still not too prone to wander. I may go adjustable LCAs in the future to get caster in the 6.5 range, time will tell

On stock suspension, by adding a steel bumper and winch. If I choose to add a 3/4 - 1" leveling spacer in the front only. Do you think this will throw off the caster angle?

Thank you

 

[blnewt]

On stock suspension, by adding a steel bumper and winch. If I choose to add a 3/4 - 1" leveling spacer in the front only. Do you think this will throw off the caster angle?

Thank you

Not by much, you'll probably drop a 1/2", then gain 3/4" w/ the spacer, so a 1/4" net lift from where you are now. Maybe a .25 degree change, barely noticeable.

 

[Flip]

Not by much, you'll probably drop a 1/2", then gain 3/4" w/ the spacer, so a 1/4" net lift from where you are now. Maybe a .25 degree change, barely noticeable.

All I needed to know, thanks buddy.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

I had about a 2" lift (from the Rubicon 4dr springs), the bumper/winch dropped it about a 1/2" so after that 3/4" spacer was added it was roughly 2" all around. I did add the Mopar lift LCAs when I did the spring swap to get my caster around 6 degrees. I don't have adjustable LCAs, just those 1/4" longer Mopar lift LCAs.

With the 2"/1.5" additional lift from the new spacers I now have approx 3.5" lift from what a Stock 2dr Sport has. With the Mopar lift LCAs my caster is now around 5, not great but still not too prone to wander. I may go adjustable LCAs in the future to get caster in the 6.5 range, time will tell

3.5” over all lift is a considered amount. I’m assuming you are using the front point of reference since that was an extra .5” over the rear in the spacer kit. All in, I’ll net approximately 2.25” lift between coil spacers and ruby springs. I’m thinking the Mopar LCA’s should be adequate in my lift range. Additionally, I’m probably installing shock extensions once the spacers are on plus 35” tires.

 

[blnewt]

3.5” over all lift is a considered amount. I’m assuming you are using the front point of reference since that was an extra .5” over the rear in the spacer kit. All in, I’ll net approximately 2.25” lift between coil spacers and ruby springs. I’m thinking the Mopar LCA’s should be adequate in my lift range. Additionally, I’m probably installing shock extensions once the spacers are on plus 35” tires.

When I installed my Rubi springs I ended up with approx 2" lift F&R, so yeah that extra 1.5" from the spacers does give quite a lift. Keep in mind it's not much more than a stock Rubicon though, and similar net lift that is obtained w/ the Mopar 2" lift. Combined w/ my high fenders I now have plenty of clearance for full travel. I did have to add 2" bump stops in front and 1.5" in back to keep tires from contact at the inner fender liners though.

You should be good w/ the Mopar LCAs, w/ the lift you're expecting.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

When I installed my Rubi springs I ended up with approx 2" lift F&R, so yeah that extra 1.5" from the spacers does give quite a lift. Keep in mind it's not much more than a stock Rubicon though, and similar net lift that is obtained w/ the Mopar 2" lift. Combined w/ my high fenders I now have plenty of clearance for full travel. I did have to add 2" bump stops in front and 1.5" in back to keep tires from contact at the inner fender liners though.

You should be good w/ the Mopar LCAs, w/ the lift you're expecting.

What about longer shocks or shock extenders?

 

[blnewt]

What about longer shocks or shock extenders?

Your Willys should have the regular Rubicon shock set so those will work w/ that lift you're planning. If you go any higher than that you'll need to get longer shocks or extenders. I have Fox 2.0 shocks for 0-1.5" lift, this is based from a stock Rubicon, so w/ my additional spacer lift I'm maxed out w/ my current shock setup. Luckily I have no plans to go any higher lol.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

Your Willys should have the regular Rubicon shock set so those will work w/ that lift you're planning. If you go any higher than that you'll need to get longer shocks or extenders. I have Fox 2.0 shocks for 0-1.5" lift, this is based from a stock Rubicon, so w/ my additional spacer lift I'm maxed out w/ my current shock setup. Luckily I have no plans to go any higher lol.

So you think I won’t even need the shock extenders with a 2.25” total lift? Red shocks came with the Willys as mentioned.

 

[blnewt]

So you think I won’t even need the shock extenders with a 2.25” total lift? Red shocks came with the Willys as mentioned.

It's going to be close, you should be able to tell once you get it lifted up.

 

[Zandcwhite]

So you think I won’t even need the shock extenders with a 2.25” total lift? Red shocks came with the Willys as mentioned.

In my opinion, the short travel factory shocks are a limitation even at stock height. Even on the low end of aftermarket shocks like the metalcloak rock sports offer massively improved suspension travel and nearly identical ride to the stock Rubicon/willys shocks in my experience. If you prefer a firmer ride and handling, I'd suggest the bilstein 5100s. $400 well spent for me.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

After the Rubicon springs and coil spacers are installed, I'll get about 2.25" ride height lift. Mopar LCA's will be installed to help caster, but should I consider an adjustable track bar, as well? I'm trying to keep it OEM as much as possible while running 35x11.5x17 (will recalibrate speedo for the bigger tires).

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