Jeep Suspension

[jeeppricey]

Hi all, looking for suspension advice from those running touring/overland setups.


I have a 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK, typically 2 passengers, used for camping and overlanding. The Jeep has a rear-biased constant load and a roof-top tent.


Current setup / mods (key items):

• Hardshell RTT (2-person) on Front Runner roof rack
• Alu-Cab 270 awning
• Drawer system + fridge (Dometic CFX3-45) + fridge slide
• Dual battery system + onboard compressor
• 42L water tank, jerry cans, tools, recovery gear
• Rock sliders, rear storage, tailgate table, etc.
• Suspension was recently redone with 150 kg HD rear springs + Monroe shocks

Estimated added weight when camping is roughly 600 kg, with most of it over or behind the rear axle.


Questions:

1. Are 150 kg HD rear springs sufficient for this kind of constant load, or am I under-sprung?
2. What rear spring rate are others running with drawers + fridge + RTT (300–400 kg constant load?)
3. Are Monroe shocks adequate for RTT touring, or should I upgrade (Bilstein / OME / Dobinsons / Tough Dog)?
4. Would you recommend rear airbags in addition to HD coils?

Looking for real-world experience from similar JK builds. Thanks in advance

 

[SSTJ]

Hello. This forum is dedicated to the Wrangler TJ, which ran from 1997–2006. There is a similar JK forum here.

 

[sab]

Hello. This forum is dedicated to the Wrangler TJ, which ran from 1997–2006. There is a similar JK forum here.

He did post this in the Other Jeeps forum, so he may know this is not a JK forum, but that it’s the best Jeep forum!

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

Hi all, looking for suspension advice from those running touring/overland setups.


I have a 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK, typically 2 passengers, used for camping and overlanding. The Jeep has a rear-biased constant load and a roof-top tent.


Current setup / mods (key items):

• Hardshell RTT (2-person) on Front Runner roof rack
• Alu-Cab 270 awning
• Drawer system + fridge (Dometic CFX3-45) + fridge slide
• Dual battery system + onboard compressor
• 42L water tank, jerry cans, tools, recovery gear
• Rock sliders, rear storage, tailgate table, etc.
• Suspension was recently redone with 150 kg HD rear springs + Monroe shocks

Estimated added weight when camping is roughly 600 kg, with most of it over or behind the rear axle.


Questions:

1. Are 150 kg HD rear springs sufficient for this kind of constant load, or am I under-sprung?
2. What rear spring rate are others running with drawers + fridge + RTT (300–400 kg constant load?)
3. Are Monroe shocks adequate for RTT touring, or should I upgrade (Bilstein / OME / Dobinsons / Tough Dog)?
4. Would you recommend rear airbags in addition to HD coils?

Looking for real-world experience from similar JK builds. Thanks in advance

Contact Clayton Offroad. They make kits for the newer models. My experience with them, answering questions, has been great.

 

[LakeBeard]

My wife has a JKU, kinda similar setup, no water, RTT is not always on. She has a heavy rear rack inside and will carry most of our gear. Usually, her and my daughter in that Jeep. She has a 2" EVO lift w/ king shocks. She has only done easy trails with the RTT, gold mountain, little John and the squeeze. She hasn’t had any issues with that set up.

 

[GATORB8]

I'd only bag it if you are staying on road.

If you've already got the suspension done, I'd try it out, but 330 lb/in springs sound plenty stiff, that's in the neighborhood of Clayton's JT HD Springs.

I'd expect to adjust rear ride height at load with either longer free length springs or spacers, which should work better than the bags off road.

If you're having stability issues, heavier sway bars may be a helpful option, I'd expect Hellwig would have them available.