Heavy duty suspension

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mtn_matt

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Howdy all,
I have a 2016 JKU with quite a bit of weight, especially in the rear. Right now I got a 3.5” rubicon express lift kit with 35’s and blown out fox 2.0’s. Looking for advice on suspension for overland vehicles with weight; bigger springs? Heavier springs? Fatter shocks?
 

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ptgarcia

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You need spring rates to match the weight of your rig. If the springs are a more appropriate rate you won't blow out shocks. I'd weigh the jeep (get the weight of each corner if possible) and relay that information to Rubicon Express and see what they recommend.
 
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MazeVX

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You may want to look at teraflex Overland outback springs or suspension kit. It's made for the weight.

 
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Billiebob

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Howdy all,
I have a 2016 JKU with quite a bit of weight, especially in the rear. Right now I got a 3.5” rubicon express lift kit with 35’s and blown out fox 2.0’s. Looking for advice on suspension for overland vehicles with weight; bigger springs? Heavier springs? Fatter shocks?
Air Bags, Firestone Coil Rite.
Lets you keep the compliant stock springs in town, and pump up the bags as you add weight.

the lift might complicate the choice but this is the cheapest choice and it is adjustible

 

sabjku

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Hi @mtn_matt ! I'm also a 2016 JKU. There's a number of setups you could go with, and it really depends on how much weight you're carrying around, and ultimately how much you want to spend. I ran the ARB Old Man Emu Extra Heavy Duty springs with the Old Man Emu shocks for awhile. I quickly realized the Old Man Emu setup was actually just a bit too soft, especially for my liking, especially when fully weighted. I'm also daily driving my Jeep on the highway and I was not happy with the way that setup felt with highway driving and carrying the weight.

If you really look around, you'll find the Teraflex Outback Springs that @MazeVX mentioned to be one of the most popular spring set ups. Most are also running those with the Falcon shocks as well, available in a non adjustable shock, and also in the 3.3 adjustable's. The adjustable Falcons have a wide range of adjustability, from full soft when you aren't carrying the extra weight, to a much firmer setting that is a night and day difference. There's also 9 other adjustments in the middle range to fine tune.

I've also run some other spring setups, including AEV, and Bilstein shocks as well. I personally feel the Teraflex and Falcon Adjustable's(running that myself) is the better setup for what we do. As I said, mine's a daily driver, and I average over 20k a year driving back and forth to work, and getting out almost every weekend on a trip. I'm almost always fully loaded as well, ready to head out at any notice. I'm completely happy with the TF and Falcon setup, and highly recommend it. Consider the Hellwig rear sway bar as well, along with some polyurethane front sway bar bushings. Those also help, although to a smaller degree, with handling, entrance and exit ramps, etc by keeping the body roll down a bit.
 
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mtn_matt

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Hi @mtn_matt ! I'm also a 2016 JKU. There's a number of setups you could go with, and it really depends on how much weight you're carrying around, and ultimately how much you want to spend. I ran the ARB Old Man Emu Extra Heavy Duty springs with the Old Man Emu shocks for awhile. I quickly realized the Old Man Emu setup was actually just a bit too soft, especially for my liking, especially when fully weighted. I'm also daily driving my Jeep on the highway and I was not happy with the way that setup felt with highway driving and carrying the weight.

If you really look around, you'll find the Teraflex Outback Springs that @MazeVX mentioned to be one of the most popular spring set ups. Most are also running those with the Falcon shocks as well, available in a non adjustable shock, and also in the 3.3 adjustable's. The adjustable Falcons have a wide range of adjustability, from full soft when you aren't carrying the extra weight, to a much firmer setting that is a night and day difference. There's also 9 other adjustments in the middle range to fine tune.

I've also run some other spring setups, including AEV, and Bilstein shocks as well. I personally feel the Teraflex and Falcon Adjustable's(running that myself) is the better setup for what we do. As I said, mine's a daily driver, and I average over 20k a year driving back and forth to work, and getting out almost every weekend on a trip. I'm almost always fully loaded as well, ready to head out at any notice. I'm completely happy with the TF and Falcon setup, and highly recommend it. Consider the Hellwig rear sway bar as well, along with some polyurethane front sway bar bushings. Those also help, although to a smaller degree, with handling, entrance and exit ramps, etc by keeping the body roll down a bit.
Thanks for the input, I’m looking at getting the icon reservoir CDCV shocks and I’ll check out those terreflex springs you mentioned. I like to really flex my suspension on technical trails and also be able to romp whoops and wash board roads so I need to find the right combo for those type of driving styles. It’s also my daily driver but I don’t mind the way it handles on the highway unless it’s for a long road trip.
 

Downs

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Have you put your Jeep on a scale to see what you are weighing in at? You'll get total weight plus weight of each axle which will help you decide on proper spring rates. Watch your GVWR, and GCWR ifyou are towing.
 
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Iwata77

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Like several have suggested, I’m running the tereflex outback overland suspension with falcon 3.3 shocks on 35s. It’s a firmer ride when running empty but nice when loaded down. Still plenty of flex to get sketchy on trails LOL.
 

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sabjku

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Like several have suggested, I’m running the tereflex outback overland suspension with falcon 3.3 shocks on 35s. It’s a firmer ride when running empty but nice when loaded down. Still plenty of flex to get sketchy on trails LOL.
That's a great pic!
 
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Iwata77

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Like several have suggested, I’m running the tereflex outback overland suspension with falcon 3.3 shocks on 35s. It’s a firmer ride when running empty but nice when loaded down. Still plenty of flex to get sketchy on trails LOL.
That's a great pic!
Thanks! Accidentally took the wrong line but it worked out