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I'm shocked by the results (17/59 springs & Fox shocks)...

13K views 117 replies 30 participants last post by  triphop631 
#1 · (Edited)
I don't mean to spring this on you guys, but I am shocked by the results of my suspension upgrade! Lol :pc-ouch:

Seriously, I swapped my 14/56 springs for 17/59, and added some Fox 2.0 Performance Series IFP shocks to the mix. The difference in the way it drives and handles is very dramatic. No more bounce, no more sway, no more rocking back and forth... It feels sporty! Even acceleration feels better because the rear is not buckling, not to mention braking without nose diving!

It is by no means firm or harsh, imho, I purposefully hit some rough pavement and the movement was absorbed very nicely.

Here are the dimensions so far (I realize there will be some settling in the weeks to come), measured from the ground to the under side of the fender:

BEFORE Front = 35 3/8 , Rear 34 7/8

AFTER Front = 36 7/8 , Rear 36 1/8

The reason my rear is that much lower is because I have 150lbs worth of audio in the trunk... My only disappointment in this process was that the rear is still lower than the front. I will address this down the road.

Here are some pics - the 1st one is stock with no audio, the 2nd one is stock with audio and the 3rd, 4th, 5th are with the new shocks and coils.
 

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#6 ·
Lol! I'm loving it, thanks! I'll post up more impressions after I take it around the Nurburgring. J/k

Considering it was under $600 for everything, I'd say it is one of the less expensive suspension packages.

Love the puns, but I like what your upgrade did even more. That's exactly what I want to achieve, better look but more importantly better handling.
Thanks! "Looks" was not a major consideration for me either, I just wanted it to have better handling on asphalt... Something more confidence inspiring, especially on the freeway. Though, I am sure it does very well off-road as well.
 
#7 ·
I did a lot of driving around yesterday and got some more impressions...

The suspension is probably a little on the firm side for some peoples tastes, but not firm in a bad way. The Jeep corners really well for what it is! As far as "on-road" mannerisms, I can't imagine them getting any better than this.

I can't emphasize how smooth the ride is, and how cornering, braking and acceleration feel so much better!

I hope some of this feedback helps someone make a decision for or against this mod, depending on what they are they are trying to accomplish...



Regarding the front being higher than the rear (even by less than an 1"), I may have to cut a little off of the front coils to level it. Fortunately I have a pair of old 17 springs to experiment with... But I am going to let everything settle a little before I take a grinder to my new springs! Lol
 
#9 ·
I did a lot of driving around yesterday and got some more impressions... The suspension is probably a little on the firm side for some peoples tastes, but not firm in a bad way. The Jeep corners really well for what it is! As far as "on-road" mannerisms, I can't imagine them getting any better than this. I can't emphasize how smooth the ride is, and how cornering, braking and acceleration feel so much better! I hope some of this feedback helps someone make a decision for or against this mod, depending on what they are they are trying to accomplish... Regarding the front being higher than the rear (even by less than an 1"), I may have to cut a little off of the front coils to level it. Fortunately I have a pair of old 17 springs to experiment with... But I am going to let everything settle a little before I take a grinder to my new springs! Lol
just throw a 1/2" spacer in the rear. They are like under $40.00 for two and call it the day. I wouldn't cut the springs.
 
#10 ·
Thanks and yes! :)

just throw a 1/2" spacer in the rear. They are like under $40.00 for two and call it the day. I wouldn't cut the springs.
That's probably a better plan then cutting the coils. I was really trying not to go any higher...

Hopefully the front settles more than the rear (wishful thinking). Regardless, it's not an immediate concern.
 
#11 ·
Your results are similar to my own.

I combined Bilstein 5100s, 18/59 Mopar springs & Teraflex Leveling Kit to achieve my desired stance.

The suspension is uncivilized on broken pavement (think potholes) but perfect in rougher country. There's no more body roll when I hit a turn and the driving profile of the machine is better.

I paid ~$300 for the Bilsteins, $150 for the leveling kit and got the springs free.
 
#13 ·
Very cool. I was debating between the Bilsteins, Ranchos and Fox... They are all great shocks I am sure. There as less info out there about the Fox so I thought I would give them a shot.
Do you mind posting a pic?

Looks nice! It really gets rid of the "poor posture" of the stock JK.
I did a similar swap to my JK. 14/56 to 19/60 springs with Rancho RS9000XL shocks.
Improved the ride tremendously. You might want to try the Steersmarts "Griffin" steering attenuator. Got rid of the "twitchy" 2dr driving experience when I installed mine. Steersmarts.com
Thanks! Yours looks great too! It's nice to see it without the the rear weight that mine has from the audio equipment... Is yours perfectly level as it sits?

The steering was next on my list. I was thinking about the matching Fox steering stabilizer... I have never heard of that steering thing you posted, I am going to have to check it out.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Looks nice! It really gets rid of the "poor posture" of the stock JK.
I did a similar swap to my JK. 14/56 to 19/60 springs with Rancho RS9000XL shocks.
Improved the ride tremendously. You might want to try the Steersmarts "Griffin" steering attenuator. Got rid of the "twitchy" 2dr driving experience when I installed mine. Steersmarts.com


Before with 14/56 springs:








After with 19/60 springs:

 
#14 ·
That looks awesome. I took those exact springs off my Rubicon when I did a 2.5 lift and they have just been sitting in my garage.
Guess I should sell them then. $100 shipped if anyone sees your upgrade and needs a set.
I can't believe how much that changed your ride just putting a 4 doors doings in a 2 door.
Nice work.
 
#16 ·
Thanks! The difference really surprised me, too!

DavidRam,
My JK was level in the Before picture.
But I have since installed the Mopar Offroad bumper in front and also the optional skid plate. Which adds about #110lbs. of weight as apposed to the approx. #30lbs. stock front bumper.
It now sits approx. 1/2" lower in front as compared to the before picture.

Do a "search" for STEERING ATTENUATOR on this site, and you will find a lot of good information on the Griffin attenuator. Works great for 2drs. 4drs, not so much.
Just take the poster Kirkeli(spelling check) with a grain salt on his complaints regarding it.
I'll check it out, thanks!
 
#15 ·
DavidRam,
My JK was level in the Before picture.
But I have since installed the Mopar Offroad bumper in front and also the optional skid plate. Which adds about #110lbs. of weight as apposed to the approx. #30lbs. stock front bumper.
It now sits approx. 1/2" lower in front as compared to the before picture.

Do a "search" for STEERING ATTENUATOR on this site, and you will find a lot of good information on the Griffin attenuator. Works great for 2drs. 4drs, not so much.
Just take the poster Kirkeli(spelling check) with a grain salt on his complaints regarding it.
 
#19 ·
Theoretically, 1/2" less spring sag (at rest).
 
#20 ·
Funny, because this morning I was toying with the idea to get new shocks to improve the ride. I have an unlimited with 17/59 springs already as well as the teraflex kit. Now, I was trying to figure out if I get the Fox shocks, what lengths do I get? I saw on Quadratec that they allow you to choose depending on the lift you have. 0-1 inch, 1.5-3.5 and so on. Now, with the leveling kit it is 2 inches in the front and 1 in the rear...so do I get the 0-1 inch shocks or the 1.5-3 ones?
 
#23 ·
I originally went to the 18/60 coils and it did improve the stock ride, then went to the 2.5 rk triple coils and it got better. So if you change your lift in the future, don't be worried about ruining your ride. It does get better. :)
 
#28 · (Edited)
Well damn it, I filled up my tank yesterday and that dropped the rear even further, it's a hair over and inch lower in the back than in the front...
I am going to have to address this pretty soon, it bothers me.

Who makes the best spacers??? I'm thinking do a 3/4" and call it good...


Fwiw, does anyone know what I would gain by going from the 59 to the 60 rear springs?
 
#29 ·
Well damn it, I filled up my tank yesterday and that dropped the rear even further, it's a hair over and inch lower in the back than in the front...
I am going to have to address this pretty soon, it bothers me.




Who makes the best spacers??? I'm thinking do a 3/4" and call it good...

Does anyone know what I would gain height wise by going from the 59 to the 60 rear springs??? That might be a good alternative to a spacer...
Any ideas??? ^^^
 
#36 ·
I went from 14/55 to 18/59 - the next upgrade on my list was new shocks (RS9000 XLs), but after driving around with the new springs, the shocks dropped to the bottom of the (long) upgrade list. The improvement was orgasmic - the body roll disappeared (2-door), the squirreliness was much improved. Changes to the suspension affect everything.
 
#48 ·
Great job guys, the 4dr spring swap on a 2dr is a crazy good value!

I would do it with the Rancho RS5000X for about $150 for all 4 while they are on sale! Plus the $100 for take off springs (sometimes less on Craigslist), it's an awesome setup for CHEAP!

Every Jeep is a little different... Most wont need anything else, but if the caster drops a little low, it's another cheap fix with geo brackets and I would watch the front sway bar links. They are really short to begin with and lifting puts your bar at risk of a flip which can be ugly. It's not common, just be aware that it can happen. Fortunately, sway bar links are super cheap too.
 
#56 ·
It is really amazing what a difference shocks will make. I started with 17/58s on my jku sport, then added 1.75" spacers. I got tired of the ride and got a 10a springs and shocks(also longer brake lines and end links at the same time). That added another 1" and the ride was much better.
That setup lasted a while but I felt it was too flighty on the highway.
I swapped the springs and spacers for 2.5" skyjacker springs and rancho 9000xl shocks, rear trackbar bracket, steering stabilizer, jks adjustable trackbar in front and adjustable lower control arms. It is so much better now!
 
#57 ·
I have 19/60 on my 2dr. Sport, 5000x Ranchos, ebay take off rear swaybar links (25.00) for the front and just resently, JKS lower control arms....over 2 inches of lift and very solid ride.....It was pretty twitchy on road without camber correction , with the addition of the arms, it's all good.
 
#64 ·
I have 19/60 on my 2dr. Sport, 5000x Ranchos, ebay take off rear swaybar links (25.00) for the front and just resently, JKS lower control arms....over 2 inches of lift and very solid ride.....It was pretty twitchy on road without camber correction , with the addition of the arms, it's all good.
can you explain the JKS control arms? Are they the actual arms of the drop links? I think I need them on my 2 dr. with the springs and spacer I installed.
 
#58 ·
Thanks everyone for all the info! I like knowing as much as I can going into these projects, even if I'm farming out the work. I've got a good mechanic who has a full alignment rig so I'm pretty sure I can get it all dialed in if I have the right parts when I get there.
 
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