Very sad today: please share ride quality of various 4x4s

35 PSI on highway, 18-20 off road. does that sound good? I think it is an issue with the shocks though, too much yo-yo'ing over large bumps.

Too much, as what been stated. I run 10 psi off-road with 12.5” wide tires on 8.5” rims. I’ve lost one bead, one time, when I was doing something dumb.

On road, I’m about 25 psi. I’m running 35’s.
 
So if I took my jeep to a shop, and said modify this so that it is as comfortable as possible, could they do anything more than what's already one (i.e. my bilsteins) or is it basically "max comfort" already?

Another vote for tire pressure adjustment, disconnect the front sway bar, and report back.

"Comfortable" is a pretty relative term. And I wouldn't trust just any shop to pick what they think I need.

I think the knowledgeable people here can get you where you need to be without the middleman.
 
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Another vote for tire pressure adjustment, disconnect the front sway bar, and report back.

"Comfortable" is a pretty relative term. And I wouldn't trust just any shop to pick what they think I need.

I think the knowledgeable people here can get you where you need to be without the middleman.

I would trust zero shops. Most of them are happy to throw whatever rough country has to offer on and call it good. Few have specific TJ knowledge or the critical thinking skills to realize that the shocks that work on a 6000lb truck won't be as good on a 4k lb Jeep.
 
It's wild that you can mountain bike without discomfort but can't ride in a TJ without discomfort.

Shitcan the Bilsteins and whatever you have in front and try the inexpensive BlackMax or 5000x shocks.
Get some sway bar disconnects.
Run the recommended tire pressures (26ish psi street / 10ish psi dirt)
 
Absolutely

unless you have a bad back

Not useless. The longer wheelbase of a JLU (4 door 2017 and newer wrangler) trumps almost anything you reasonably do to a TJ with regard to ride quality.

OP: I recommend swapping your rear shocks for a soft (and inexpensive) shock like the skyjacker black max and disconnecting your front sway bar. If that works, an anti rock or swayloc front sway bar might be a good long term solution. If not, maybe you do need a JL.

Thanks for the feedback. I did disconnect front sway today, it was much better, but I think a lot of the problem is coming from the back end. It sort of whip-saws upwards after hitting a bump, kind of like a bucking bronco. Feels like maybe the shock is rebounding too quickly.

Yeah, driving my friends 2023 rubicon was wayyyyyy more comfortable. hmm....
 
A member here that knows suspension has characterized Bilsteins as being useful for telling whether a quarter was heads or tails by driving over it.

I'll be 41 in 2 weeks, they've been telling me I have degenerative disc disease in my lumbar since I was 21 and cervical since 30 but the only time offroading has ever bothered it was when i hit the trail at highway tire pressure and the sway bar connected. My LJ has a swayloc and I air down to about 10 psi and even with $50 shocks (key being the right $50 shocks) most of my wheeling buddies bitch at me for going too fast.

good to know about the bad reputation of bilsteins... what brand of "cheap $50 shocks" do you recommend?
 
Long story short, I finally had to accept that my 45 year old back gets too jacked up from off-roading in my beloved TJ. Today was definitely the last day, my fingers and toes are numb from back issues and I can barely walk. What's strange is I get very little back pain or issues doing other stuff in life, so it is definitely offroading.

I already purchased a new drivers seat, that was definitely contributing to issues, but it wasn't enough sadly - even though I love the new seat.

A friend of mine has a 2023 Rubicon and I drove it off-road and the ride quality was MUCH less bumpy, maybe I need to get one of those.

Would love to hear others experiences regarding which off road vehicles are more smooth.

What is your posture and seat position while offroading? Is your seat upright and you consciously hold a straight posture? Hands have much different nerve paths than toes so it makes me think it is a neck issue since the nerves for your arms exit at the base of the neck.
 
good to know about the bad reputation of bilsteins... what brand of "cheap $50 shocks" do you recommend?

What @L J said a few posts up.

  1. Lower your tire pressure to 26 onroad and 10 offroad
  2. Disconnect front swaybar
  3. Measure your suspension lift (report back)
  4. Get some Skyjacker Black Max shocks on all four corners that are the correct length, meaning they will sit at ride height with 50% of the shiny shaft visible and the other 50% inside the can (****this is very important for ride quality).
Then you may not have to be sad anymore.
 
Lots of votes for air pressure. Would lowering the air pressure help with the "bucking bronco" rear end? I tend to think that lowering air pressure helps with smaller bumps and rough surface as opposed to larger swings of the rear end.
 
Lots of votes for air pressure. Would lowering the air pressure help with the "bucking bronco" rear end? I tend to think that lowering air pressure helps with smaller bumps and rough surface as opposed to larger swings of the rear end.

Tire pressure helps with events up to and including washboard roads.

For me, going to the Skyjacker Black Max shocks in the rear helped immensely with the bucking. I started with Rancho rs5000, then went to their rs5000x, and most recently the Skyjackers.

Don't know how you're set up as far as gear but it also helps to have some weight back there....rear seat for sure, some tools and a cooler. More weight acts like a softer shock.
 
Long story short, I finally had to accept that my 45 year old back gets too jacked up from off-roading in my beloved TJ. Today was definitely the last day, my fingers and toes are numb from back issues and I can barely walk. What's strange is I get very little back pain or issues doing other stuff in life, so it is definitely offroading.

I already purchased a new drivers seat, that was definitely contributing to issues, but it wasn't enough sadly - even though I love the new seat.

A friend of mine has a 2023 Rubicon and I drove it off-road and the ride quality was MUCH less bumpy, maybe I need to get one of those.

Would love to hear others experiences regarding which off road vehicles are more smooth.

I have taken a good amount of vehicles off-road to places like Pismo, Anza-borrego, Moab, Sierra mountains, Glacier NP back-country, etc.

Here's my experiences:

  • 2019 5th gen 4runner - VERY smooth on corrugations and low speed slickrock. (Dobinson's suspension)
  • 2001 Isuzu Trooper - Very smooth on desert corrugations, and low speed/medium difficulty crawling (stock)
  • 2021 JLU Sport - Very smooth on desert corrugations, and low speed/medium to intermediate crawling. (stock)
  • 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ - Moderately smooth on desert corrugations, low/medium to intermediate crawling (DIY coils/leaf packs and 32's)
  • 1963 CJ5 and 1947 CJ2A - harsh. like everywhere. all the time. :D (stock)
  • 1988 Chevy Blazer K5 - Somewhat smooth on desert corrugations, dune sand and gravel fire-roads. Moderately flexy for low/medium crawling (8" lift on 38's...lol)
  • 1986 Toyota 4runner - moderately smooth on desert corrugations, dune sand and gravel - Low amount of flex (stock) for low/medium crawling. (stock)
  • 1996 FJ80 - VERY smooth on desert corrugations - Moderately-highly flexy for low/medium/extreme crawling (with a few small mods) (stock on 33's)
  • 2000 FJ100 - VERY smooth on desert corrugations - moderately flexy for low/medium crawling (stock on 33's)
  • 2004 LJ - VERY smooth on desert corrugations - moderately/highly flexy for medium crawling (stock suspension on 31's)

I would also say that aired down to 16-18 - our TJ was pretty nice cruising through some rough terrain a couple months ago, and VERY flexy with our long arm kit. Still somewhat bouncy on the highway, but it's better with our shocks adjusted and a bit of weight removed. For our next offroad trip, i'll probably air down to 10-12 psi for even more cush/traction.
 
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Tire pressure helps with events up to and including washboard roads.

For me, going to the Skyjacker Black Max shocks in the rear helped immensely with the bucking. I started with Rancho rs5000, then went to their rs5000x, and most recently the Skyjackers.

Don't know how you're set up as far as gear but it also helps to have some weight back there....rear seat for sure, some tools and a cooler. More weight acts like a softer shock.

Would these be a good fit for a stock TJ (no lift, 30" tires) that is 90% on the road and 10% mild trail/dirt roads? Or do I still need to get out the ruler? https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...uWzxZ7Ob_JmPK48aLudSZJ&variant=39967502762033
 
What is your posture and seat position while offroading? Is your seat upright and you consciously hold a straight posture? Hands have much different nerve paths than toes so it makes me think it is a neck issue since the nerves for your arms exit at the base of the neck.

I recently started experiencing numbness in my right leg while driving. I'd wiggle around trying to take pressure off my right ass cheek, but to no avail. Then, I realized every time it happened, my seatbelt was pretty tight. I found that when I pull it a little looser around my waist, the feeling comes back.
 
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I recently started experiencing numbness in my right leg while driving. I'd wiggle around trying to take pressure off my right ass cheek, but to no avail. Then, I realized every time it happened, my seatbelt was pretty tight. I found that when I pull it a little looser around my waist, the feeling comes back.

Seat jackers might also help. For me the bucket seat style of the TJ/LJ puts the lower back at a not so great bent angle. For years I solved that by just getting a seat cushion that fits only at the rear of the seat so it is not also raising my thighs, just but. This increases the angle between legs and back. For me, that is very helpful at preventing both legs from going numb. So maybe using the seat spacers but only at the rear so you dont have to use a cushion. I'm also fairly short so not sure what that would do to a +6' person.
 
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I'll be 41 in 2 weeks, they've been telling me I have degenerative disc disease in my lumbar since I was 21 and cervical since 30 but the only time offroading has ever bothered it was when i hit the trail at highway tire pressure and the sway bar connected.

Doctors told me the same thing. Arthritis in my spine too. Now, I have days that I can't even ride in a CAR without severe pain with just touching my spine on the back of the seat. It sucks.
 
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I recently started experiencing numbness in my right leg while driving. I'd wiggle around trying to take pressure off my right ass cheek, but to no avail. Then, I realized every time it happened, my seatbelt was pretty tight. I found that when I pull it a little looser around my waist, the feeling comes back.

Meralgia paresthetica; I have that too. Was initially worried it was my spine but doc eased my fears. I found that it helped to come to terms with the fact that I have a little more belly than I used to and it was time to buy some pants with a little more room in the waist. 🤣
 
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Seat jackers might also help. For me the bucket seat style of the TJ/LJ puts the lower back at a not so great bent angle. For years I solved that by just getting a seat cushion that fits only at the rear of the seat so it is not also raising my thighs, just but. This increases the angle between legs and back. For me, that is very helpful at preventing both legs from going numb. So maybe using the seat spacers but only at the rear so you dont have to use a cushion. I'm also fairly short so not sure what that would do to a +6' person.

Yeah, I'm 6'. Not super tall, but I don't think I want my seat any higher. Good suggestion though. Thanks.
 
Long story short, I finally had to accept that my 45 year old back gets too jacked up from off-roading in my beloved TJ. Today was definitely the last day, my fingers and toes are numb from back issues and I can barely walk. What's strange is I get very little back pain or issues doing other stuff in life, so it is definitely offroading.

I already purchased a new drivers seat, that was definitely contributing to issues, but it wasn't enough sadly - even though I love the new seat.

A friend of mine has a 2023 Rubicon and I drove it off-road and the ride quality was MUCH less bumpy, maybe I need to get one of those.

Would love to hear others experiences regarding which off road vehicles are more smooth.

No one here probably wants to hear this, but in the 5 years since I sold my Rubicon and bought a 2019 Toyota 4Runner Off Road, I've pretty much never looked back. The ride in this thing is amazing. Sure it won't fit where a TJ will, but getting to and on the trails is a whole lot more enjoyable. And it has a ton more interior room.

That's all - signing back off.
 
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No one here probably wants to hear this, but in the 5 years since I sold my Rubicon and bought a 2019 Toyota 4Runner Off Road, I've pretty much never looked back. The ride in this thing is amazing. Sure it won't fit where a TJ will, but getting to and on the trails is a whole lot more enjoyable. And it has a ton more interior room.

That's all - signing back off.

That's the reason IFS took off. I feel absolutely spoiled driving my suburban on dirt roads vs the tj. Easy to go faster, too!

Ditching my Bilstein 5100s was a huge improvement. Airing down makes a huge difference. Below 5psi it's like the washboards almost disappear! Just don't corner hard...
 
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