Two years since the original post and not many people now would ever suggest Bilstein shocks for a TJ. Oh how times change.
No need for a ratchet strap. I just turn the steering wheel back and forth until it lines up.Last night I put the springs and shocks on, but the track bar is off ever so slightly. I assume I just pull the axle toward the drivers side with a ratchet strap or come along until the bolt hole lines up?
I mean I have the H&R springs +Bilstein 5100s on mine with 31x10.5 BFGs and think it rides pretty good. My comparison is my daily driver BMW with sport suspension though, so maybe I'm just used to it? I don't see what people are saying about the Bilsteins...Two years since the original post and not many people now would ever suggest Bilstein shocks for a TJ. Oh how times change.
Would your stock also be sagging at that point?I can’t speak to how the front springs handle extra weight but my experience with the rears is that they sag quite easily. I got 1.5“ lift up front and only 1” in the back with an OME spacer (10mm or 0.4”). Jeep is stock except for Gobi rack (95lbs) and 2” hitch (~30lbs). Throw on the bike rack and 2x MTBs (~ 120lbs extra) and my rear is back down to less than 0.5” lift over stock and that is without the rear seat.
Yes, but honestly not as bad. My original motivation for the H&R springs was hoping for more load carrying capacity without much lift, but now I just have a worse reverse sag situation because I got ~1.5" of lift in the front. I thought the increased spring rate would help but it seems not enought.Would your stock also be sagging at that point?
I'd be very curious to see how yours responds to 200-250 lbs. Mine seemed fine with ~150 lbs (Gobi rack, hitch, some tools) but as soon as I threw on the bike carrier/bikes or hooked up the small utility trailer I had squatted about 2" (only gained 0.75 with the H&R springs + 0.4 with rear OME spacer).I've found the opposite with my H&Rs. I have the TJ ones so they initially sagged more than the LJ ones probably would have. I put 3/4" spacers in to level it out. When we've traveled with it I don't notice much sagging even with the bike carrier and bikes loaded. I'm also carrying 125 pounds of sand for winter traction and it seems to shrug it off.
Don't forget a full tank of gas weighs around 115 lbs.I'd be very curious to see how yours responds to 200-250 lbs. Mine seemed fine with ~150 lbs (Gobi rack, hitch, some tools) but as soon as I threw on the bike carrier/bikes or hooked up the small utility trailer I had squatted about 2" (only gained 0.75 with the H&R springs + 0.4 with rear OME spacer).
This heavy.My question is how heavy is everyone interested in seeing? I’ll load weight in trunk.
I think the ride is great (slightly stiffer, more controlled) but I didn't find them to be overly harsh and doubt that would change dramatically with a little less weight in the front. You may just want to get a few rear spring spacers to compensate and adjust the rake to your liking/needs. This is what I used: Old Man Emu OMEWTJPR10I am looking at buying some H&R springs too, for my stock SE with new Ranchos. If anyone else has any reports of how the spring rates compare to start, I’d be very interested.
Since my rig is so light (stock SE), and I rarely load up on gear, I’m wondering if they might be too stiff for me.
I think the ride is great (slightly stiffer, more controlled) but I didn't find them to be overly harsh and doubt that would change dramatically with a little less weight in the front. You may just want to get a few rear spring spacers to compensate and adjust the rake to your liking/needs. This is what I used: Old Man Emu OMEWTJPR10
Don't worry about the spring rates. If you pair the H&R springs with a set of stiff shocks, you'll get a very different ride than you would if you paired them with a set of soft shocks. In this example the springs don't change, but the ride will. H&R makes quality springs that will work well in your case. Just use a decent shock.Nice, thanks. And does anyone know the actual spring rates for the H&R springs?
From this post, they look to be almost exactly the same length as stock, but I'm wondering about the rate.
p.s. Sharp looking Jeep. You called it "old", so I take you sold it?Here's an old Jeep on H&R springs and OME shocks. The ride was the best of any jeep I've owned. I can't say the same thing when I ran the same spring setup on Bilsteins. The rebound was way to harsh for my liking.
I built something the way I wanted it then sold it. Not one of the smarter things I've done, but it was to necessary to stay true to my word!p.s. Sharp looking Jeep. You called it "old", so I take you sold it?