New suspension seems way to stiff

Kasterusa

Kasterusa

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Sep 23, 2019
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Salt Lake City
Hey everyone, my new suspension appears to be way to stiff for my Tj. It has about 1500 miles in it. Planning to put a modest front bumper on in future, but even then I feel it’ll be too stiff. I feel everything when I drive on and off road. I bought the OME 2” lift form DPG, but thinking it’s too heavy for my stock 2003 TJ (4.0L). Currently running OME 2933 Front Springs and OME 2942 Rear Springs with Rancho RS5000. New JKS sway bar and links. How is everyone else’s ride with this setup. Is there an adjustment to the RS5000 that I missed? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Keith
 
If your shocks are the standard older hydraulic Rancho RS5000 shocks they're the reason for the stiff ride. The newer gas-charged RS5000X shocks have a great ride.

Also, what size are your tires and exactly what psi air pressure is in them?

The causes of a stiff ride are either the wrong shock absorbers or overinflated tires. Tire shops routinely overinflate tires.
 
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Post up your Tire size, load rating, and current PSI
Also check if you have the RS5000 or the RS5000X shocks

All of these things make a huge difference
 
Hopefully you bought the Rancho RS5000X and not the RS5000, as if you bought the latter, that is a big part of your issue.

Also, don't forget tire psi, which should typically be around 26-28 psi.
 
I've found the Rancho 5000x shocks to be very similar to the OME shocks. But the Rancho do take a while to soften up. I would look at your tire size and psi. Should be around 26-28 and even those 2 lbs can be felt. If this is your first Jeep then that also may be part of the problem. Be sure the antisway bar links are good. Old worn out links can feel stiff for some reason. If you have polyurethane bushings in the control arms or body mounts or engine/ trans mounts it will feel harsher than the proper rubber bushings.
 
I have the same OME springs and Rancho 5000x's. I thought it was a little stiff at first too. Switching from 31x10.5r15s to 33x12.5r15s at 26 psi made the biggest difference in ride quality.
 
The 2942 springs are quite stiff and produce a noticeably rough ride. I know this from comparing them to the light duty springs (2941) on my TJ. Actually, I went from the 2942 springs to the 2941s and back to the 2942s because the 2941s wouldn’t support the load. The 2942s definitely produce a rougher ride though. There is not much if any difference in ride quality between the light duty and heavy duty springs in the front (2932/2933) because they have the same spring constant.
 
Kasterusa said:
Hey everyone, my new suspension appears to be way to stiff for my Tj. It has about 1500 miles in it. Planning to put a modest front bumper on in future, but even then I feel it’ll be too stiff. I feel everything when I drive on and off road. I bought the OME 2” lift form DPG, but thinking it’s too heavy for my stock 2003 TJ (4.0L). Currently running OME 2933 Front Springs and OME 2942 Rear Springs with Rancho RS5000. New JKS sway bar and links. How is everyone else’s ride with this setup. Is there an adjustment to the RS5000 that I missed? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Keith
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What tire pressure are you running?
 
When I had my lift installed, I had the same complaint. After lowering the tire pressure to ~26 psi, my wife was much happier. Initially, my lift had Zone gas shocks. I recently switched to Rancho 5000x's and am even happier.
 
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I'm running a RC 2" lift coil with Bilstein 5100 series shocks, and 33" tires at 25 psi for on road use and light wheeling. Ride is fantastic👌
 
I ran this exact same lift from dirk and it’s amazing off road. It’s a stiff ride yes. And I used the new ome shocks

Then I upgraded to rockjock springs when I went to 35”s


Everything was still rough and tumble. I don’t care to be honest. Your seat is practically sitting on top of the rear spring. Go look at your jeep.


I’ve spoke about this with Blaine. There isn’t many people who have tested all variables of common 2.5” lift suspensions for our Jeeps to say what is better or worse with ride. And anyone that say they can feel a difference…well I find that hard to believe.

Some people are more sensitive to suspension changes and others aren’t. I could say my suspension is like 10% better after swapping springs.

I’ve ridden in other rancho and skyjacker sprung Jeeps and it’s all a bouncy ride.

What’s “soft” for some people feels like the same shit to me.

I daily my vw. Now that’s a ride difference by an enormous margin.
 
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