Spring Upgrade or Spacer

[HuskerJeep]

So last week I was out in Moab and did Dome Plateau, Fins & Things, and Elephant Hill. I have the H&R 1" Springs installed, but with the weight of my hardtop, Gobi rack and gear in the back, I'm back down to stock height. I was smacking / dragging the rear tow hook, gas tank skid and tailpipe a fair bit.

I didn't damage anything, but I'd like to get some height back. When I installed the springs, I initially got 1.5" of lift out of them. So, question for the forum are the two options below for possible upgrades:

1. OME 2933/2942 (I discussed this with Dirk yesterday as well, and he confirmed what I was thinking on these)
2. Billet aluminum spacers, either 1.5" or 2" (Street Rays, made in the USA, they have several sizes) https://www.streetrays.com/sr-2quot...leveling-lift-for-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj.html

I like the ride from the H&R, and don't love the idea of already switching them out, but I will if that's the right decision. I suppose my only hesitation about the spacers is the things that I don't know - will the rear springs unseat on a moderately difficult trail? Would 1.5" - 2" cause other issues such as coil bind, etc...? It feels like a short cut, but I don't want to just dismiss the idea.

What would you guys do?

 

[Fishtaco]

I have a lot of weight in my Tj and a hardtop and with a full tank of gas my ride height doesn't change, my springs and shocks are factory.
If you go up another inch and half with spacers you will need longer shocks I think because your lift will become 2.5 inch?
I am not too sure but interested.

 

[HuskerJeep]

I have a lot of weight in my Tj and a hardtop and with a full tank of gas my ride height doesn't change, my springs and shocks are factory.
If you go up another inch and half with spacers you will need longer shocks I think because your lift will become 2.5 inch?
I am not too sure but interested.

Good point - When I put the H&R springs on originally and got 1.5" of lift, I also installed the 0-2" lift Rancho RS5000x's and cycled the suspension. I installed the correct bumpstops for that setup, so adding back another 1.5" of lift would just get me back where I was.

 

[pagrey]

Get airlift springs, they are cheaper than new springs and they work if you are loaded or empty. They really are the perfect solution for what you describe.

 

[HuskerJeep]

Get airlift springs, they are cheaper than new springs and they work if you are loaded or empty. They really are the perfect solution for what you describe.

That’s an interesting thought, not too familiar with those on a TJ.

 

[pagrey]

They are so much better than playing the spring game. I really hammer on mine, they take it just fine.

 

[HuskerJeep]

They are so much better than playing the spring game. I really hammer on mine, they take it just fine.

Maybe a dumb question, but how do they function? Am I getting it right that the swelling of the bag raises the springs, not the height increase of the bag? Also, it seems like the bumpstop cup would bounce on the top of the bag and potentially damage the bag. Sounds like that's not an issue for you.

 

[pagrey]

The air pressure in the bag changes the spring rate. You increase the pressure and the Jeep gets a lift. You fill the bag with a valve stem just like your tires. Mine hold air for a very long time, maybe a year or more. I do check them from time to time and adjust them when I carry weight or tow. They replace the bump stop and provide a nice progressive bump instead of the foam ones that hit pretty hard. I've come down on them hard, they don't mind.

 

[Fishtaco]

The air pressure in the bag changes the spring rate. You increase the pressure and the Jeep gets a lift. You fill the bag with a valve stem just like your tires. Mine hold air for a very long time, maybe a year or more. I do check them from time to time and adjust them when I carry weight or tow. They replace the bump stop and provide a nice progressive bump instead of the foam ones that hit pretty hard. I've come down on them hard, they don't mind.

Nice I need to look this up.

 

[HuskerJeep]

Following back up on this. Yesterday I installed both 1” spacer blocks on all 4 corners and airbags in the rear.

I need to drive it some more, but I like the ride so far and like the flexibility of the airbags. Thanks for the suggestion.