Questions for shocks/springs experts

[Fast-n-Furious]

So I'm trying to set up my mind on two mods/upgrades by taking advantage of the Black Friday sales. And wanted to get opinions/insights from members who have more knowledge and experience.

My current situation:

- Daily driver 22MY 392 XR with 14K miles, 30 PSI all tires.
- No winch, don't plan to get one. Only couple of times trail runs (mild to medium hard) a year.
- Measures at the door bottom pinch seam: rear side is 20” from floor and front is less than 19”.
- The front and rear fender flares measure at the same height 40-1/4” from floor across center line of wheels, so my Jeep is NOT leveled by the frame.

My goals:

- Stiffer coil springs to mitigate the floaty feel on highway, and reduce body rolls at speed bumps, turns, and on bumpy terrains
- Since the front frame is 1" lower than the rear, even without a winch, I also hope the higher rated springs to remove some of the rake/sag
- Never upgraded shocks in any of my previous cars/SUVs, hope my jeep will drive better on-and-off road with better shocks, also a tad more droop at articulation.
- Don't want spacers over springs, even though it yields more uptravel (considering the XR has ridiculous long front bump stop towers)
- No other suspension changes, try as close as stock since the XR rides really well already.

My short list:

1. Clayton 392 Performance Coil Package: it claims the 392XR approximately 1/2 to 3/4" lift increase, ideal setup to run 35s while getting a better handling, more responsive driving style.

- Front Coils Free Length = 18.375", Spring Rate = 188 lb/in
- Rear Coils: Spring Rate 1 = 137 lbs/in, Spring Rate 2 = 200 lbs/in. Free Length Left = 17.00", Free Length Right = 17.75"

2. FOX 2.5 IFP Shock Package - Set of 4 | Performance Series | 2-3.5" Lift: Fox released this set for JKS last year, and according to this thread:

- Front is 26.67" x 17.76"
- Rear is 28.6" x 18.71"
- They fit the XR

I did contact AccuTune Off-Road earlier, they don't have this set. It's something Fox made for JKS specifically. And JKS has a video with some details.

My questions:

- Do you think I should just go with the Clayton coils without upgrading with the Fox 2.5 IFP shocks for now? Less money, less chance to mess up the suspension.
- Do you think the JKS Fox 2.5 IFP will result more droop thus make the clayton coils loose? Since they are for 2"-3.5" lift, and the XR only comes with 1.5-2" lift.
- If go with the shocks, will I need to extend/add brackets for front brake line and ensure all electrical connections for enough slack?

Sponsored

 

[AcesandEights]

In general:

Springs carry the load (ride height)
Dampers (shocks) dampen the ride (ride quality)

You say, "stiffer coil springs to mitigate the floaty feel on highway, and reduce body rolls at speed bumps, turns, and on bumpy terrains". The floaty feel and body roll at speed, turns and bumpy terrain should be mitigated by shocks.

I would start with purchasing Bilstein 5100 shocks and see if that provides the ride you want.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

In general:

Springs carry the load (ride height)
Dampers (shocks) dampen the ride (ride quality)

You say, "stiffer coil springs to mitigate the floaty feel on highway, and reduce body rolls at speed bumps, turns, and on bumpy terrains". The floaty feel and body roll at speed, turns and bumpy terrain should be mitigated by shocks.

I would start with purchasing Bilstein 5100 shocks and see if that provides the ride you want.

Thanks for the insights! I’ve heard the Bilstein 5100 are great shocks, firm, controlled but not harsh. I would think 2”-3” lift height should fit well. Will do more reading on them.

I looked at Fox 2.0 IFP earlier, but the new 2.5 IFP caught my attention and they are easier to swallow than the 2.5 with remote reservoirs, which I don’t need and are too expensive.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

Your 392 shocks (if you have the bronze sticker Fox version) are superior shocks compared to 5100s. An upgrade or maintain ride quality would mean going to Fox 2.0 at the min or if you like Bilstein firmer ride - a 5160

Your spring in the above kit is actually a 2.5 lift coil with a huge free length.. There is no way that will come unseated unless you get shocks that have extended length of 30" or something crazy like that..

 

[AcesandEights]

The 5100 is not firmer than the stock shock?

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

The 5100 is not firmer than the stock shock?

Stiff as f
You will find a significant difference
If you like that stiff ride.. It's up to you.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Your 392 shocks (if you have the bronze sticker Fox version) are superior shocks compared to 5100s. An upgrade or maintain ride quality would mean going to Fox 2.0 at the min or if you like Bilstein firmer ride - a 5160

Your spring in the above kit is actually a 2.5 lift coil with a huge free length.. There is no way that will come unseated unless you get shocks that have extended length of 30" or something crazy like that..

Thanks! Mine are not Fox shocks, the XR shocks are Mopar branded. Pics found from member who sold them:

I think I can confirm the springs by referring some other members observations:

And the Fox 2.5 IFP shocks package says 2”, so sounds like they will match the XR springs or even this new set from Clayton.

 

[AcesandEights]

The OP wants to "mitigate the floaty feel on highway, and reduce body rolls at speed bumps, turns, and on bumpy terrains"

The 5100 would do (exactly) that at considerably less cost. A 5160 (reservoir shock) is overkill.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

The OP wants to "mitigate the floaty feel on highway, and reduce body rolls at speed bumps, turns, and on bumpy terrains"

The 5100 would do (exactly) that at considerably less cost. A 5160 (reservoir shock) is overkill.

Yeah if that's the priority then yes 5100 will provide a stiffer ride. Clayton springs are high spring rate 166 front 180+ rear.. It's ideally paired with a shock that's good at dampening smaller bumps.. or an adjustable shocks. Clayton recommends Fox 2.0 or the falcon 3.3 if you want to go adjustable route

 

[GATORB8]

I'd do the 5160s over the 5100s if you can swing it, the slightly lower charger pressure helps smooth them out a bit.

If you were willing to do a driveshaft, the 3-4.5s would work at stock bump and make it a flex monster.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

I'd do the 5160s over the 5100s if you can swing it, the slightly lower charger pressure helps smooth them out a bit.

If you were willing to do a driveshaft, the 3-4.5s would work at stock bump and make it a flex monster.

Thanks! I knew you are one of the shocks experts. I don’t have a strong need to upgrade shocks, thought the Fox 2.5 IFP is a nice set without breaking the bank and it’s beefier than the 2.0. One thing I’m not sure is why Fox made this set for JKS and it’s not available on Fox official site.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks! I knew you are one of the shocks experts. I don’t have a strong need to upgrade shocks, thought the Fox 2.5 IFP is a nice set without breaking the bank and it’s beefier than the 2.0. One thing I’m not sure is why Fox made this set for JKS and it’s not available on Fox official site.

It's basically the shocks from the Mopar lift, so they likely were already making them.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

It's basically the shocks from the Mopar lift, so they likely were already making them.

Considering the shock length:
- Front is 26.67" x 17.76"
- Rear is 28.6" x 18.71"

Do you foresee any issues to match the XR suspension with the slight taller springs from Clayton?

 

[GATORB8]

Considering the shock length:
- Front is 26.67" x 17.76"
- Rear is 28.6" x 18.71"

Do you foresee any issues to match the XR suspension with the slight taller springs from Clayton?

I think you are fine with free length and bump, so you should be good. I think you'll clear the rear sway bar but droop it just to check that they don't hit the shock bodies.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I thought the XR shocks were mopar branded Bilsteins?

Sponsored