The stock TJ rear spring is progressive and mounted in such a way to be progressive even further. I suspect that was done to keep the headlights aimed within a parameter regardless of loading. Given that your ass is almost on the rear tire when you are in the driver's seat and the passenger on top of the rear tire, that is the only things I can come up with that justify the effort they went to.Totally agree. But what I can't figure out is what advantage progressively wound springs offer? I can't write it off as completely a gimic because the new JLs and JTs have progressively wound springs, and the engineers wouldn't waste the effort for no reason.
I don't find that to be true. The single best riding tire I have ever experienced at street pressures are the take off 32-17 JK street tires. Just outstanding.And tire sidewalls as well.
In the dirt bike world, which equates to a bunch of maniacs and only one spring on the rear , it is generally considered the springs coil, diameter, length and rate establish ride height and the shock valving does the work you feel.Spring rates aren’t going to affect your ride quality on a TJ whatsoever. On a track car, sure, but you can and should forget about spring rate and ride quality when it comes to a TJ. Focus on shocks or ride quality is a concern.
Don't lie.
Hey everyone!
I've read in many threads that springs are there to set your ride height. Shocks, and tire pressure are responsible for your ride quality!
I would like to discuss how much a different spring rate would affect ride quality though.
Theoretically, wouldn't a spring with higher spring rate/ less length would give different ride characteristics than a spring with less spring rate /more length?
The fact that they would be compressed in different rates in the same bumps etc. doesn't mean that there will be a difference in ride quality?
*Of course, the same shocks will be used in both scenarios.
** I know shocks will affect the ride quality more.
That leads into a good question.@TJim
I've been wondering the same thing, so was glad to see this question go up. I was even wondering whether the answer should impact whether I use spacers to level out my rake, or try to find some longer springs with a similar rate, etc.
Anyway, it sounds like the answer is "Yes, in principle, but no one makes any springs for the TJ with a sufficiently different spring rate that you could really notice". Oh well, but it was a good question.
That leads into a good question.
Why should anyone bother using new springs for a 2" lift and not just use spacers?
I am not 100% sure but I don't think that this is the case. I think for just a 2" lift this problem would not be enough to lose your 4" up travel.Well, since this thread is turning into a 'safe space' for newbies like me, I'll say that I think it's because spacers don't compress, and so if you add 2" worth of spacers to your springs, you're losing some of your up-travel. Versus a longer spring with the same rate as the original, which would not compress as far as the original shorter spring, but would still compress further than the original spring with spacers.
Maybe?
I am not 100% sure but I don't think that this is the case. I think for just a 2" lift this problem would not be enough to lose your 4" up travel.
Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. Maybe someone more experienced will chime in later today!
Using a spacer rather than a spring to gain ride height will generally have less up travel and less free length. The higher the ride height, the more this becomes a concern.I am not 100% sure but I don't think that this is the case. I think for just a 2" lift this problem would not be enough to lose your 4" up travel.
Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. Maybe someone more experienced will chime in later today!
Thats for sure. But what about 2” lift with 4” uptravelUsing a spacer rather than a spring to gain ride height will generally have less up travel and less free length. The higher the ride height, the more this becomes a concern.
No idea. When I was messing around with spacers to achieve certain things, I never found a reason for anything over 1.625". But in the end, I quit wasting my time and just used a lift spring with a small spacer to fine tune the rake.Thats for sure. But what about 2” lift with 4” uptravel
I cant see using a spacer would be a problem to keep a 4” uptravel.
For bigger lifts for sure! The spacer would be too big.
Am I wrong on that?
There is a balancing act that can be played. If the compressed shock length occurs before the spring becomes solid, a spacer can be used to increase ride height to the point where the compressed shock and the solid spring match.Spacer plus spring increases the block thickness and causes bump spacers.
You, it’s all about making the spring stroke matching the shock stroke, then clearancingThere is a balancing act that can be played. If the compressed shock length occurs before the spring becomes solid, a spacer can be used to increase ride height to the point where the compressed shock and the solid spring match.