Teraflex Spacer List - Rough Ride

[easterr]

Hi All,

I had the Terfaflex Spacer/Leveling kit installed, an additional .5 spacer in the rear and the Mopar longer LCAs. Unfortunately, it seems a bit more stiff than I was expecting from the research I've done. I am not sure if this is possible, or would have an impact and haven't been able to find a discussion on topic, but is it possible the suspension components were overtightened and are limiting the suspension movement? The Jeep doesn't seem to have the same suspension movement on speed bumps, pulling into the driveway (slight incline over sidewalk), harsher on potholes and even when someone gets in or out it doesn't seem to move as much as it did. It's stiffer when taking corners as well, but this is an improvement.

I have 33x12.50x20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers and the air pressure was the same before and after the install and i have aired down to 31 PSI. I also had an alignment done after the install (I realize this is not always necessary), but i was curious and my wife drives the Jeep a lot, so i felt more comfortable having the alignment. The castor is 5.4 which I find surprising because I was expecting over 6 with the longer LCAs. I mention this in case it has any relation to the harsher ride (although the rear is as rough as the front).

I realize a spacer lift is not as good as a full lift, but we just wanted a little lift and we don't go off road, so based on all I've read this seemed like a good option. Any insight/opinions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance. I

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[Javwohl]

If I had to take an educated guess and I’m sure someone with more knowledge will chime in. I would say it’s your shocks causing you the rough ride. If you didn’t get new longer shocks or atleast shock extenders you have less useable shock travel then you did at stock height.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I agree with the above post. Even if you got new shocks, they are likely what's causing the difference. The spring rates are factory with a spacer and with your longer lcas your caster is factory or slightly better. Shocks are really the only thing that could have changed your ride unless something was installed incorrectly. Stock shocks will have very little downtravel with a spacer added. Most aftermarket shocks are firmer than the stock shocks.

 

[easterr]

Thank you for the responses. From what I've read, longer shocks shouldn't be necessary for a small lift like this, but I suppose each individual situation could be different. It's so stiff, it doesn't even move a lot when rocking it. Thank you again

 

[Zandcwhite]

How big was the spacer? A sport/sahara only has 5" of downtravel stock, if you took 2" of that away you're left with almost nothing. A set of Rubicon takeoffs would be sufficient in that case.

 

[word302]

How much spacer was actually added? You said the leveling kit +an additional 1/2”? What’s the total? Like others said you are likely over-extending the factory shocks. You either need new shocks or at least shock extensions.

 

[Stetson]

May as well plan on replacing the shocks no matter what. Sounds like with your current set-up you have more suspension travel than shock travel. At that much of an over extension not only are they out of the stroke they are designed to operate in, they will prematurely fail. Basically as your suspension moves you will always be putting additional stress on your shocks.

The sooner you replace them the sooner your ride will improve.

Stetson

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

Thank you for the responses. From what I've read, longer shocks shouldn't be necessary for a small lift like this, but I suppose each individual situation could be different. It's so stiff, it doesn't even move a lot when rocking it. Thank you again

The teraflex kit comes with 2" spacer on the front.. that's the same lift height as some of the proper lift kits like mopar, dynatrac or Clayton 1.5". That's not a small lift to have no effect at all hence it's difficult to expect it to ride exactly like how it was stock. Shocks are likely causing the ride quality degradation in this case. Get a shock extension bracket set front teraflex, takeoff shocks from 392 / XR, or aftermarket shocks

 

[6th Floor Mule]

I experienced the exact same results after installing the Teraflex 1.5” kit (2” front spacer, 1.5” rear). Solved the problem by going with longer shocks, which I planned to do anyway. If new shocks aren’t in your plan, shock extensions should get you back to where you were before the spacers. Good luck ?

 

[rickinAZ]

I have the Teraflex spacers (2" front, 1.5" rear) along with adjustible LCAs. The LCAs that come with the Mopar lift kit (24.5") weren't long enough, and didn't get me north of 5° of castor. An extra 1/8" (24.625") got me to castor of 6.5°. [The castor is very sensitive to LCA length.] It steers like a champ now and rides fine.

 

[easterr]

Thank you, everyone - really much appreciated. I added a .5 inch spacer to the rear, so it's a 2" lift all around.

Sounds like shock extensions or longer shocks are needed. Can anyone suggest a shock that is longer but not stiff? The ride was OK before the lift, so I don't want stiffer shocks (I think), so perhaps the extensions are the way to go, and 35s may be in the plan eventually also.

Adjustable LCAs. I was under the impression (perhaps incorrectly), that the Mopar LCAs, would be sufficient for this lift. I've driven it on the highway before the alignment and it felt better than it ever had (wandering was pretty bad before the steering box was replaced), so I will continue to see how it does with the Mopar LCAs. Thank you again

 

[AdamG]

Just to prepare you, shock opinions are gonna be all over the place. I have Bilstein 5100s which most people say are stiff. I have a have a light 2dr, but I don’t think they’re stiff. If you can swing the price, get adjustable ones and you can dial in the stiff vs soft.

 

[Flip]

Rubicon take off springs & shocks may have a tendency to be a little stiff compared to stock. I absolutely love this set up on my 2-door jeep. I don't like soft and spongy especially on the trail but that's just me.

You'll get it right, it takes time.

Best of luck.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

Thank you, everyone - really much appreciated. I added a .5 inch spacer to the rear, so it's a 2" lift all around.

Sounds like shock extensions or longer shocks are needed. Can anyone suggest a shock that is longer but not stiff? The ride was OK before the lift, so I don't want stiffer shocks (I think), so perhaps the extensions are the way to go, and 35s may be in the plan eventually also.

Adjustable LCAs. I was under the impression (perhaps incorrectly), that the Mopar LCAs, would be sufficient for this lift. I've driven it on the highway before the alignment and it felt better than it ever had (wandering was pretty bad before the steering box was replaced), so I will continue to see how it does with the Mopar LCAs. Thank you again

If you don't want to be stiffer than stock - Fox 2.0 IFP Shocks.
0-1.5" version of you plan to run with stock bump stops. 2-3" version of you are willing to add 1.25" bump stop up front and 1" rear

 

[The Last Cowboy]

It's the load range E tires on 20” wheels that are more than likely contributing to the rough ride.

If you still have the stock wheels and tires, put them back on and see if that makes the difference.

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