Suspension for highway driving

[madridalejandro]

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension to improve highway driving. I'm currently running a 3.25-inch RC lift kit that was on my jeep when I first bought it, but it handles really firm. I'm looking at the ranchos rs5000x 2-3" lift shocks, but can't find a set of springs to go with them. Which springs should I pair the ranchos with, and should I replace any other bushings/rubbers on the suspension?

^picture from when it last snowed in Georgia

 

[jjvw]

You want the springs that create the desired ride height.

If you are after a nicer ride quality, you have a shock problem.

 

[madridalejandro]

You want the springs that create the desired ride height.

If you are after a nicer ride quality, you have a shock problem.

Planning on replacing the RC springs anyways. Heard they sag after a while.

 

[jjvw]

Planning on replacing the RC springs anyways. Heard they sag after a while.

I don't know if they do or not. However, if they are creating the ride height you want right now, there is no reason to replace them until they quit doing that.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Planning on replacing the RC springs anyways. Heard they sag after a while.

As with all springs, some do, some don't. No sag after 7 years with RC springs on this Jeep.

 

[MikekiM]

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension to improve highway driving. I'm currently running a 3.25-inch RC lift kit that was on my jeep when I first bought it, but it handles really firm. I'm looking at the ranchos rs5000x 2-3" lift shocks, but can't find a set of springs to go with them. Which springs should I pair the ranchos with, and should I replace any other bushings/rubbers on the suspension?View attachment 633048^picture from when it last snowed in Georgia

I bought my TJ with half a RC 3" lift.. Just springs and shocks.
I promptly replaced the shocks with Rancho's but kept the springs and finished everything else that should have been done... the track bars, disco's etc.
Daily driver, mostly highway, 33's set to 26psi unladen.. the ride is better than I ever expected the short wheelbase TJ could be.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

The shocks are making it excessively firm. Spring rate can be too high for the weight of a TJ, but from a practical perspective I don't think any sold for a TJ would be an issue.
Don't buy shocks based off stated lift height. Measure your shock length. Subtract the compressed length and make sure your ride height puts you near the center of the shock stroke. If you have to choose between 2 in the line, the shorter shock would be better on highway.

 

[jjvw]

.... Spring rate can be too high for the weight of a TJ, but from a practical perspective I don't think any sold for a TJ would be an issue.
...

There is nothing about the springs that is affecting the ride quality. If the springs are designed to fit a TJ, the design constraints surrounding the free length and bind length for the intended ride height force the spring rate to be within a very narrow range of possibilities in order for the spring to work in a TJ.

 

[macleanflood]

Best thing that improved ride quality on my 97 was Black Max shocks and an Oro Swayloc.

I replaced my Procomp 4" springs with Currie 4" and gained 2".

-Mac

 

[jjvw]

Agreed regarding springs made and marketed for a TJ. TJ coils are typically between 150 and 200 lbs/in for context.

I don't understand why people in the forums insist you cannot make a spring with too high of a rate for a TJ. If you look at coilovers you can get spring rates for 18" length 3" ID going from 100 lbs/in all the way up to 800 lbs/in. The wire diameter is the primary factor changing the spring rate in these setups and while it will have some impact on the compressed length it's not that big. It is technically feasible to construct a spring with a large wire diameter that will fit in a TJ's spring perches, travel appropriately and be way too stiff for the weight of this vehicle. I understand we're not talking coilover setups here, but I'm using that to illustrate that you can fix certain criteria (length and ID) and still have a wide range of spring rates.

Correct. It is technically feasible to fabricate a front 4" lift spring for a TJ with a free length of 18" and a bind length of 18". The rate would be in the tons/in. But no one expecting to sell springs for a TJ would do that.

It is also technically feasible to fabricate a front 4" lift spring for a TJ with a free length of 216" and a bind length of 18". The rate would be oz/in. But no one expecting to sell springs for a TJ would do that.

The same goes for coilovers. Anyone selecting springs for coilovers and is also expecting the coilover to function for it's application is facing design constraints that only allow for a narrow range of lengths and rates to choose from.

Any outliers from these design constraints that allow a spring to function on a TJ are not valid comparisons.

 

[cpwolf]

I’m not getting into debates over all that.

My suggestion would be to measure your current springs. You will KNOW if they are sagging or not, exactly.

If not, leave them, and get shocks like the Rancho, in the correct length, and see the difference.

Stock front is 12” spring
Rear is 8”

Anything. More is lift. Should be 16 and 12 for 4”.

Black Max people say are good too, I just know the Rancho’s are a major upgrade

 

[jjvw]

...
My suggestion would be to measure your current springs. You will KNOW if they are sagging or not, exactly.

...

All that tells you is the ride height.

Sagging occurs with a decrease in ride height without a change in sprung weight.

Both of those are different from an advertised lift height not matching the actual measured ride height.

 

[cpwolf]

All that tells you is the ride height.

Sagging occurs with a decrease in ride height without a change in sprung weight.

Both of those are different from an advertised lift height not matching the actual measured ride height.

Oh, so when I buy a TJ that has RC or Currie or whatever brand 4” Springs, seller shows me the receipt they are 4”springs.

I measure them and yep, they are 4” springs exactly, absolutely exactly 4”….I should assume it’s possible they are sagging?

I’m seriously asking, what is your point? Don’t trust your lying measuring tape?

What is anyone supposed to do with your comment? If you didn’t purchase them, install them and measure them immediately then measuring the springs does you no good?

The PO said he’s got 3.25” springs that came on it.

How is he supposed to know if it’s sagging?

 

[jjvw]

Oh, so when I buy a TJ that has RC or Currie or whatever brand 4” Springs, seller shows me the receipt they are 4”springs.

I measure them and yep, they are 4” springs exactly, absolutely exactly 4”….I should assume it’s possible they are sagging?

I’m seriously asking, what is your point? Don’t trust your lying measuring tape?

What is anyone supposed to do with your comment? If you didn’t purchase them, install them and measure them immediately then measuring the springs does you no good?

The PO said he’s got 3.25” springs that came on it.

How is he supposed to know if it’s sagging?

A spring reacts to the weight placed on top of it. Whatever the result is has nothing to do with the advertised lift height.

I already explained how to determine if a spring is sagging and it has nothing to do with an advertised lift height.

 

[cpwolf]

A spring reacts to the weight placed on top of it. Whatever the result is has nothing to do with the advertised lift height.

I already explained how to determine if a spring is sagging and it has nothing to do with an advertised lift height.

You have more time on your hand than sense.

Your posts here are BS. You babble “ride height” blah.
Thanks genius.

If the springs are advertised 3.25”, they were designed to be 3.25” on a TJ.
He wasn’t there unless you’ve got a DeLorean or phone booth he can use doctor who.

How the F is he supposed to know what they were when they were put on.l and if they happen to be 3.5” or whatever.

If they were Advertised as 3.25”, they were designed as 3.25”, and they measure now 3.25”, that’s as good of information under this circumstance provided you can get.

You have More time to babble the same BS than sense.

 

[cpwolf]

I already explained how to determine if a spring is sagging and it has nothing to do with an advertised lift height.

yeah, just reread the entire thread, and you didn’t blabber about that. You blabber nonsense like you’re some kind of mechanical genius but not how to Teel if it’s sagging.

So thanks for showing you’ve got more time than sense.

 

[jjvw]

You have more time on your hand than sense.

Your posts here are BS. You babble “ride height” blah.
Thanks genius.

If the springs are advertised 3.25”, they were designed to be 3.25” on a TJ.
He wasn’t there unless you’ve got a DeLorean or phone booth he can use doctor who.

How the F is he supposed to know what they were when they were put on.l and if they happen to be 3.5” or whatever.

If they were Advertised as 3.25”, they were designed as 3.25”, and they measure now 3.25”, that’s as good of information under this circumstance provided you can get.

You have More time to babble the same BS than sense.

This is how I know you do not understand how springs and advertised lift heights work.

 

[jjvw]

yeah, just reread the entire thread, and you didn’t blabber about that. You blabber nonsense like you’re some kind of mechanical genius but not how to Teel if it’s sagging.

So thanks for showing you’ve got more time than sense.

And this is how I know that you do not understand what sagging means.

 

[cpwolf]

This is horm

And this is how I know that you do not understand what sagging means

And this is how I know that you do not understand what sagging means.

This is how we know you’re a doll that just pulls its own string when someone mentions Springs.
“Blah, spring set height” and repeat.

Literally posted over and over usable information.

 

[cpwolf]

This is how I know you do not understand how springs and advertised lift heights work.

This is how I can tell
You have more time than sense on your hands.
Still can’t answer how he would know. But you’ll bald arrogant nonsense….and repeat, and repeat.