I currently have a 2.5 inch terraflex lift with terraflex springs and terraflex 9550 shocks. Also have 35” Nitto Terra Grappler G2 “E” rated tires and stock steering stabilizer. Don’t do much off roading. I want the on road ride to be better. I know it’s a Jeep, but any input on upgrading shocks or the steering stabilizer? Was also told to get replace the Nittos with BFG KO2s “C” rated tires in same size, but many have said better shocks will make more of a difference. Thanks.

Tire pressure will make a big difference also. In my 35's I run 28 psi. For shocks I run Fox 2.0's valved for the Jeep JKU. Mine Jeep rides good and I can feel the suspension working as I drive unlike the Bilsteins the Fox shocks replaced. Just my .02

As mentioned, tire air pressures would be the first place to look. When you run larger tires than stock you don't need / want to run as much air pressure as you would with stock tires. The larger tires do not require as much air pressure to carry the same load. Especially if the larger tires are also a heavier load rating (like E vs C). Also, some tire brands will simply provide a better quality ride than other brands. We run BFG KO2s and are very happy with them.
So, reduce your air pressure in your tires down to around 28 - 30 psi if not already there. The exact pressure you and your tires need can vary, and some will even vary the pressures based on what they are doing (run less pressure for local driving and a few psi more for extended interstate driving, for example).
Those shocks are fairly basic, and as such they do have their limitations. You can certainly upgrade the shocks. But tire pressure adjustment may help. Another aspect is what did you use for caster correction. If you run geometry brackets to correct your caster that will also help improve the ride as they correct the angles that the front control arms run at. A flatter angle for the front control arms helps the front suspension absorb bumps.

Yes, already running 28psi. What’s the bigger improvement, replacing to C rated BFG KO2s or upgraded shocks? Thx

I would say tires most likely. If you can swing it I know that Falcon shocks work very well with Teraflex coils. @Straw just installed a TF lift and falcon shocks and says it rides very nice. I have a similar set up mopar coils and falcon shocks and it rides really nice with both E and D rated tires.

If you have a JKU, a few people end up with the Falcons for the JK and seem to feel that they are softer / more compliant when fitted to the larger / heavier JKU.
I would also expect tires to make a bigger difference than shocks on ride quality, but it is probably close.

Yes, I have 2014 JKU

Anyone have any experience with these?

https://www.quadratec.com/products/16070_2000_14.htm

yes and they work great but some think they are too stiff. For me they work very good and I have used them on various builds.

Softer or firmer than the Terraflex 9550s?

I too run the TeraFlex 2.5" lift and I have the 9550 TF shocks on my JKU. I think the ride is fine, not too soft or too hard. My tires are D rated and I run ~32 psi.

If you need tires going with anything other than E rates tires will help. The BFGs will help the ride for sure.

I've always been confused as to why E rated tires are on JK/JKUs. I have these on my super duty and it makes sense there.

I also think the 9550s are 'dogged' unfairly; my experience running them has been good.

Good luck.

Pretty close to the same. I had the Terraflex on my old Jeep and Billies on the one I have now.

What don't you like about the TF shocks? They're tuned for a fairly heavy build, similar to the Billies. You'll knock your teeth out if you don't have weight...

Beyond tires, a few lower cost softer shock options would include OME shocks and Rancho. With the Rancho shocks, a popular choice is the 9000 series which offers an adjuster to let you tune the ride to your tastes. Rancho shocks are a more budget oriented shock, and as such they have issues. But the issues they have are usually easy to deal with, paint them before installing to fight rust and with the 9000 series shocks pack the adjuster with grease to prevent the adjuster from seizing. I like the OME shocks, they are budget friendly and the offer shocks that will work with no lift, as well as shock for some lift or more lift (same as the Rancho's).
If you have at least a 2.5" lift you can look at the Falcon 2.1's, and if you want a softer ride you can use the Falcon 2.1's for a JK on a JKU. That is rumored to deliver a more compliant ride, the standard Falcon ride is on the firmer side like the Bilsteins are. But I do find that a quality shock like the Falcons are can give a firmer ride without also being harsh over bumps. The more sophisticated valving in a higher end shock can often simply work better.

So it may be back to the tires being the issue then. Maybe the 9550s are fine and it’s the E rated Nittos that are the prob. I could always dump the Nittos (only have 24k on them) and get the C rated BFG KO2s.

Maybe not dump them just yet. Try lowering the tire pressure. You may land just south of 30 and find the ride is much better. This is free and may work out.

I am partial to the RS9000XL shocks. Get the ride you want by turning that knob.

I would agree. The 9550's are a okay entry level shock. I am not a fan of the 5100's as I feel they are to stiff. Our go to shock in this price point is the Rancho RS9000 XL's. They are awesome! They are adjustable so you can set them how YOU want them.

If we can help, feel free to PM, email, or call us at anytime!

-Jason

Been running 28 PSI

So, you can try 26 psi.

What about Fox Performance Series 2.0?

Nice shocks. I don't know if they will provide a "softer" ride than what you have, but I do think they are a better shock than what you have.

I will ask again, what have you done to correct caster with your 2.5" lift. If you use geometry correction brackets for that they will improve the quality of the ride.

I think the FOX 2.0s are softer than the 5100's.

-Jason

Not sure anything was done to correct caster. I’ll have to ask the shop that did the work.

You would be able to look at it and see.
If the control arms are still the stock square control arms, then you don't have either adjustable control arms or longer than stock lower control arms. Also, adjustable front lower control arms will be fairly obvious, they will have an adjuster at one end, some sort of nut / bolt deal. If both ends look the same with no nut / bolt deal but they are round they are likely longer fixed length arms. If you have geometry brackets they will be visible where the control arms attach to the chassis. If you have cam bolts, they will be visible as funny looking washers where the front lower control arms attach to the axle. If you have none of those things you will want to buy them.
As I mentioned, if you are needing to buy caster adjustment I suggest you look at geometry brackets. Reasonable in price and they improve the ride quality as well as improve caster.

yup just throw some photos of your front control arms and lower control arm mounting locations and someone will tell you if it has been corrected.

i recently went to Fox 2.0 shocks and so far not liking them. i came from Rancho RS9000 which rode like stock if not better. i may end up going back to those since i never had any issues with them. just sayin.

I installed Bilstien 5100's today. The RCX shocks had been on way too long and were completely shot! I had noticed an increase in body roll over the past month and I now know why. The old RCX shocks wouldn't even extend on their own once I removed and compressed them! The Bilstien's were a obvious huge improvement after one short drive!




JK32 by Wandell Asbell, on Flickr




JK34 by Wandell Asbell, on Flickr