Poor Ride Quality

FultonD33

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 6, 2021
Messages
127
Location
Tuscaloosa AL
"It rides like a Jeep"... There has to be more to this, right?

2006 LJ Auto, Rough Country (I know, just read the rest) 2.5" lift with their adjustable control arms.

I have tried all the usual remedies for poor ride quality, I will list everything below (all done within the past year):

-Falken Wildpeak Load Range C 33" tires, adjusted psi all the way down to 20psi and have found no real comfort.

-New spicer ball joints, timken hubs

-Currie Currectlync Steering

-Custom Track Bar Setup, oversized bushings, bolts, new bracket

-Caster was at 9-10 degrees, backed it down to 6-7 and get no real improvement

-Toe is probably out of spec but planning to have it checked soon

-Skyjacker Black Max Shocks. I am running the 4" lift models up front (due to extended/collapsed lengths for full flex), and 2" models in the rear. I may swap to the 2" fronts soon

-My bump stops are not set, but I know for a fact I am not bottoming out anything on street driving


All that said, why does it ride so poorly? I am open to any and all ideas.

I am sure some of it is almost NVH/feeling due to excessive noise, floorboard heat, rattles, stock gears, and toe being out of spec. However this can't be all of it? The amount of money I have put into this thing chasing the delusion of ride quality, I could have bought a cheap Honda Accord. Don't get me wrong I love the Jeep, but the ride quality is out of hand.

Smooth as can be on newly paved roads (but so is a horse drawn carriage), but on washboard roads I feel like I need a chiropractic adjustment afterwards.
 
Those Skyjacker shocks aren’t helping things.

When it comes to checking and adjusting toe, you can very easily do that yourself in about 15mins and a tape measure. I set mine to 1/8” toe in and highway characteristics improved greatly compared to being 1/4” toe out like it was before.
 
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how much shock shaft do you have exposed at ride height?

I don't ask this because you've said anything to indicate that the shocks aren't the right length, but mostly because nothing else stands out as a clear smoking gun. You've covered most of the bases already.
 
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I am the wrong person to chime in on this, so my opinion shouldn't count for much. But I wonder if running the 4" shocks up front with less than 4" of lift is causing the front shocks to run in a position too close to full compression. Even without 'bottoming out', I think this might give a stiffer ride overall.
 
Those Skyjacker shocks aren’t helping things.

When it comes to checking and adjusting toe, you can very easily do that yourself in about 15mins and a tape measure. I set mine to 1/8” toe in and highway characteristics improved greatly compared to being 1/4” toe out like it was before.

Most of those on the forum that have tried the Black Max's report they are pretty soft, even compared to Ranchos. I don't think they're hurting anything either.
 
I don't ask this because you've said anything to indicate that the shocks aren't the right length, but mostly because nothing else stands out as a clear smoking gun. You've covered most of the bases already.

What about the 4" shocks up front, with only 2.5" of lift? I'm not arguing; I'm just ignorant and curious.
 
What about the 4" shocks up front, with only 2.5" of lift? I'm not arguing; I'm just ignorant and curious.

I don't really read much into what lift height the manufacturer says the shocks are for. Rancho has made me that way. I just want to make sure there's at least as much shock shaft showing as space between the bump stops, and hopefully ~4" left in the cylinder.
 
I don't really read much into what lift height the manufacturer says the shocks are for. Rancho has made me that way. I just want to make sure there's at least as much shock shaft showing as space between the bump stops, and hopefully ~4" left in the cylinder.

Got it. And yes, your approach gets to the matter better than my assumption that the manufacturer specs are spot on.
 
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how much shock shaft do you have exposed at ride height?

I don't ask this because you've said anything to indicate that the shocks aren't the right length, but mostly because nothing else stands out as a clear smoking gun. You've covered most of the bases already.

Just measured. About 4.5” up front and 3 3/4” in the rear
 
FultonD33 I have the same driving issues with my 06 LJ.

My set up is a little different with 4” of lift but some parts are the same including tires, Currie Correctlync steering and adjustable track bar.
I have my tire pressure set at 26psi.

I havent found anything that stands out that points to what is creating the issue unfortunately. Still looking into it.

Good luck! I feel your pain and have been chasing this issue for awhile without just hanging new parts.
 
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It sounds like it is most certainly a shock issue.

I'd never trust anything from Skyjacker for one. But for two, it sounds like you may be potentially bottoming out the shock.
 
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Reactions: TheBoogieman
What tires are you running and what tire pressure.

Also I’ve got a new rule-

We don’t want members with pear-shaped bodies to wear fruit colored clothing.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W, currently at 20psi, gonna try higher

The pear joke just went completely over my head so you’re gonna have to elaborate 😂
 
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