Shock upgrade/stock height

3197 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by SilverSport, Oct 29, 2012

Bourget117

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2012

I'm probably gonna keep my 2012 sahara jku stock height. But I would like to improve the suspension for better handling on and off road. I don't like the nose dive when braking and the side to side body roll. After reading many posts I see that a lot off people are looking to upgrade to rubicon (red) shocks to improve handling and ride. I also currently have 16/58 springs. There not the stiffest but definitely not the softest like some others have. I have the dual top and no tow package yet but plan on adding a hitch.
So here are my two questions on what I should do.
1. So I look for some new take-off rubicon shocks to replace my Sahara ones? Or should I just spend a little more and get some Bilstein Hd shocks to get some better performance? Not sure if the 5100 series can be had in a stock height application so I wasn't really considering those.
2. Is it worth it to look for some stiffer spring than my current 16/58 ones? Like the 19/59 springs. I might gain a little height which is fine(maybe 3/4"?) Would the shock upgrade be enough or would both be better? Or too stiff? I do plan on using my stock Sahara wheels and tires.
So just to sum it up here are my choices I'm looking at.

Switch to rubicon shocks with stock 16/58 springs?
Switch to bilstein shocks with stock 16/58 springs?
Switch to rubicon shocks with upgraded 19/59 springs?
Switch to bilstein shocks with upgraded 19/59 springs?

Any advice, comments, or experience on this would be a great help.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

SilverSport

· #2 · Oct 28, 2012

Bil Steins are a good choice; also lots of positive reviews on the Rancho 9000s because they are adjustable.

Snekypeek

· #3 · Oct 28, 2012

I have a 2012 ( 2 door ) sport, it came with 14/55 springs and black shocks I also have a hardtop, I went with 18/59 springs and red shocks, the ride is better n no nose dive when braking. Also it lifted the jeep 2" in front and 1" in rear but I still have the rake, guess the next thing is a leveling kit.

MTH

· #4 · Oct 28, 2012

You'll see little to no lift with 19/60s. On a 4 door with the coils you already have, the difference will be minimal.

Do you not already have the red shocks? Saharas came stock with those for a while I believe.

Maybe look at the TeraFlex "performance" leveling kit and a set of bilsteins or old man emus.

Jeep757

· #5 · Oct 28, 2012

+1 for the Rancho 9k adjustables. Absolutely love'em.

Bourget117

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 28, 2012

Jeep757 said:
+1 for the Rancho 9k adjustables. Absolutely love'em.

MTH said:
You'll see little to no lift with 19/60s. On a 4 door with the coils you already have, the difference will be minimal.

Do you not already have the red shocks? Saharas came stock with those for a while I believe.

Maybe look at the TeraFlex "performance" leveling kit and a set of bilsteins or old man emus.

I don't have the red shocks. Mine came with the black "heavy duty" sahara gas charged shocks. Similar to the rubicon "performance" ones but valves differently from what I've read.

kjeeper10

· #7 · Oct 28, 2012

Jeep757 said:
+1 for the Rancho 9k adjustables. Absolutely love'em.

Hey I'm +1 here

You +2

panthermark

· #8 · Oct 28, 2012

MTH said:
You'll see little to no lift with 19/60s. On a 4 door with the coils you already have, the difference will be minimal.

Do you not already have the red shocks? Saharas came stock with those for a while I believe.

Maybe look at the TeraFlex "performance" leveling kit and a set of bilsteins or old man emus.

I think it was either 2010 or 2011 when Jeep went the black shocks on the Sahara.

-----------
Would just the stiffer (19) springs up front stop some of the dive?

mcgee10

· #9 · Oct 28, 2012

kjeeper10 said:
Hey I'm +1 here

You +2

+3 for the Rancho RS9000xl adjustable shock. You can adjust for any ride you want. Best upgrade to date. I also added 19/59 coil springs and a teraflex leveling kit only used 1 puck up front but I have 165 pound bumper and winch.
My buddy just bought shocks for his jeep he bought Bilstein and while there good shock he likes how I can adjust mine for different conditions. Now he is changing them again. His Bilstein should show up in the for sale part of forum soon they have less than 100 miles on them.

55chevypost

· #10 · Oct 28, 2012

If price is involved in your decision, do the rubi shocks/springs. I put those on mine, from a hardtop as they are a bit stiffer, and got level with about 2" lift, for $100. Love the ride, imo

TUMBLER

· #11 · Oct 28, 2012

Snekypeek said:
I have a 2012 ( 2 door ) sport, it came with 14/55 springs and black shocks I also have a hardtop, I went with 18/59 springs and red shocks, the ride is better n no nose dive when braking. Also it lifted the jeep 2" in front and 1" in rear but I still have the rake, guess the next thing is a leveling kit.

I am thinking about doing the same. Did you change anything else out? I have read that you will need longer front control arms to fix the caster from the lift and keep it stable at higher speeds.

SilverSport

· #12 · Oct 28, 2012

TUMBLER said:
I am thinking about doing the same. Did you change anything else out? I have read that you will need longer front control arms to fix the caster from the lift and keep it stable at higher speeds.

When switching OEM springs for OEM springs, longer controls arms are not needed.

TUMBLER

· #13 · Oct 28, 2012

SilverSport said:
When switching OEM springs for OEM springs, longer controls arms are not needed.

But these OEM springs would raise my Jeep 2"

Jeep757

· #14 · Oct 28, 2012

kjeeper10 said:
Hey I'm +1 here

You +2

Lol, beat ya to the 9k adj suggestion

SilverSport

· #15 · Oct 29, 2012

TUMBLER said:
But these OEM springs would raise my Jeep 2"

Jeep use the same control arms on the JKs regardless of the factory springs used.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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