Sagging OEM suspension

[Daveandthe6]

I recently picked up an ‘04 non-rubicon with the 4.0 and 5 speed manual. PO didn’t do anything to the suspension and the original suspension is sagging an inch to an inch and a half approximately.

I want to get two inches of lift to accommodate larger tortures vs the factory size. Am I better off doing a 2” suspension lift with new shocks and springs or installing oem springs and doing the teraflex 2” performance spacer or similar?

 

[macleanflood]

What sized tires do you plan on running?

A 1" BL would mean you wouldn't mess with suspension geometry. Add 1" spacers if you really want 2".

-Mac

 

[KennethS]

I bought mine 20 years ago with an Old Man Emu 2" (or 2.5" ???) spring lift. Other than springs, shocks, and quick disconnects it's all factory suspension, and it's been trouble free all these years.

 

[Daveandthe6]

What sized tires do you plan on running?

A 1" BL would mean you wouldn't mess with suspension geometry. Add 1" spacers if you really want 2".

-Mac

I have a set of used 31s I picked up that I’ll run for another 10k miles. Then might go up to 32s but don’t plan on going beyond that.

 

[Daveandthe6]

I bought mine 20 years ago with an Old Man Emu 2" (or 2.5" ???) spring lift. Other than springs, shocks, and quick disconnects it's all factory suspension, and it's been trouble free all these years.

This is what I’m wanting, just a lift without major modification. How is the ride with your springs? Not sure if you’ve ridden in an oem setup to compare it to or not. Do you know if you have the light load or medium load old man emu springs? I’ve heard good things about the OME and also looking at BDS as they are about half the cost. Planning on getting some Rancho5000x shocks, those seem to a top choice among others.

 

[User4574]

I had spacers for a good while. They worked for the time, but they are only as good as the springs they are on.

Went with BDS and couldn't be happier. You'll get a bit more than 2" at first and after some time they will settle in. I have 31s, they do what I need. Did through a .75" spacers in the front for if I go with a winch. Still see over the front just fine.

IMO, for the cost and ride BDS is very difficult to beat.

 

[Daveandthe6]

I had spacers for a good while. They worked for the time, but they are only as good as the springs they are on.

Went with BDS and couldn't be happier. You'll get a bit more than 2" at first and after some time they will settle in. I have 31s, they do what I need. Did through a .75" spacers in the front for if I go with a winch. Still see over the front just fine.

IMO, for the cost and ride BDS is very difficult to beat.

Did you notice much of a difference in ride quality with the bds springs? What shocks did you use?

 

[CharlesHS]

Shortly after purchasing my ‘01 I went thru the same dilemma with a sagging suspension.
At that time I was told that to purchase factory springs would require a 8 week back order.
I opted for a 2” suspension lift and installed RS5000X shocks and JKS sway bar disconnects.
Then installed a 1” transfercase drop and drove around on the front driveshaft until the TW driveshaft arrived.
Performed a driveshaft to pinion angle measurement and did not require the adjustable rear UCAs to adjust the pinion angle.
I have 32” tires on JK 17” rims and they clear the wheel wells just fine.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Did you notice much of a difference in ride quality with the bds springs?

Springs are for ride height.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I recently picked up an ‘04 non-rubicon with the 4.0 and 5 speed manual. PO didn’t do anything to the suspension and the original suspension is sagging an inch to an inch and a half approximately.

I want to get two inches of lift to accommodate larger tortures vs the factory size. Am I better off doing a 2” suspension lift with new shocks and springs or installing oem springs and doing the teraflex 2” performance spacer or similar?

H&R 1" springs and a 1.25" BL to avoid other possible issues/vibes.

 

[User4574]

Did you notice much of a difference in ride quality with the bds springs? What shocks did you use?

At first it was a bit firm but not harsh, to be expected. After breaking in they are fine, but that is springs being...springy. They do lift, shocks make the quality (how stiff or harsh the day to day is). Shocks are Rancho 5000X. 50/50 if I would do them again. They are good but long term I wasn't as impressed with ride quality as some would lead you to believe. For the price they are okay, and in all honesty mine are probably due to be swapped out again anyway.

If you mean difference in quality of worn springs vs shiny new ones? Night and day difference. No sag, sits up good, limits body roll on corners because it can support itself. Yes, in that regard a huge difference.

Edit: one thing with the spacers, didn't have to change a thing due to the spring sag. With the lift I did have to drop the pan, cheaper than the MML, as I did have some vibes. Even so, for me the rewards were worth working through the minor/typical Jeep issues.

 

[KennethS]

This is what I’m wanting, just a lift without major modification. How is the ride with your springs? Not sure if you’ve ridden in an oem setup to compare it to or not. Do you know if you have the light load or medium load old man emu springs? I’ve heard good things about the OME and also looking at BDS as they are about half the cost. Planning on getting some Rancho5000x shocks, those seem to a top choice among others.

As far as I know the ride is good. I rented a TJ back in around 2002 but I really have no recollection of how it rode, so I can't give a comparative opinion.

When I got the Jeep it had a soft top only. When I put a hard top on, the rear drooped a bit. The OME spring tags were still intact, and they were the regular duty springs. i thought they were just old and worn out, so i got another set, but the rear was still lower than the front. So I put a set of the heavier springs in the back and that evened the stance.

That made me remember, I still have those two sets of rear springs in storage. I need to get rid of them at some point.

 

[Daveandthe6]

Springs are for ride height.
View attachment 627816

Spring rate doesn’t play a factor in ride quality?