Need some direction here guys. My JKU is currently sitting on a RC 2.5 lift with the 2.2 shocks. I have the factory wheels with spacers and 315/70 tires from TreadWright. I really feel like the ride in my Jeep is absolutely horrible. Dont get me wrong, I know not to expect a perfect ride, but there are several places on highways near me that I have to make sure both hands on are the wheel because I feel like the back end might come out. Last night I was doing 65, and the back end wouldnt sit still for a quarter mile or so. It just kept shaking. I guess my questions is this: what do I need to start with replacing? Coils? Shocks? Tires? The tires are D rated so I feel they shouldnt be too stiff. But am I wrong? Should I go back to my factory lift and throw on some pucks? Im just ready to not feel like my Jeep is going to fall apart at every little pot whole!

 

Change the shocks to bilstien, I did and it rides better then stock

 

I would expect a shit ride from that set up, from the cheap incomplete lift to the retreads.

 

What does that mean? The rear tires were bouncing? Side to side movement? Shaking? Driveline vibes? Only at certain speeds? Repeatable, but only on one certain section of road? Rear end only, front is fine?


What psi are you running in the tires? Have they been balanced/rotated? Were the retainer clips removed from the studs when the spacers were installed? What are the alignment specs? Have you checked the torque on all suspension/steering bolts?

 

Very aware of the lift. I learned my lesson and will admit it. A better lift will come, but cant drop 1k on a lift right now. And this is an honest question. Why would the retread affect the ride? Require to much air therefor forcing a stiffer response?


The rear end bounces up and down. So much so that the rear will start to come out from behind me. Kind of like a drift. Front may bounce but doesnt seem like it is out of control like there rear in those sections of road. There is a couple of sections on the highway I can repeatedly recreate it at. They are cutting up sections of asphalt and filling them with concrete. There is just enough unevenness that it creates bouncing in my Jeep. Like the suspension cant keep up with the changes in the road. Im not dead certain it isnt the tires (too stiff?) to rule them out. Tires are all balanced and rotate regularly and at 30psi but this as gone on for months. The clips were removed when the spacers were installed.

The whole Jeep rides horribly. I just use the example of the rear to show how bad it actually is.

 

Heavy mud terrains are going to ride rough and the shocks you are running are not well received for ride quality. People buy retreads for price not quality.
Actual lift you got from the kit would be good to know and did you do anything with track bars or for caster correction?

click on the link in my signature to learn about suspension components and what they do.

 

I have actually read through you suspension thread before Dirtman. I had read a lot about the crappy 2.2 shocks so I guess I will start out with that was suggest earlier and replace them with some Bilsteins. I like the fact that I can move to a bigger lift and still use them later. My plan is to move to a standard tire when these retreads wear out. As for the lift, no, nothing has been done except for what came with it. Basically shocks and springs. My next lift will be a more complete system. Thanks again for all the info.

Let this be a lesson to all. You might think you could be happy with a crappy lift, but you wont!

 

You might want to look into an adjustable shock like the ranchero, king, or fox. The ranchero would be in about the same price range as the 5100's. Personally I ran the 5100's vs the OME nitro sport and the OME have a nice road ride. That was on a 2" set up wit 33" tires.
Good luck with the mods. Digging deeper into the geometry of your jeep may find other issues that can cause poor driving such as roll center. But starting with shocks will be a good route to go.

 

I wouldnt just swap to billies because one dude said so. If i were getting shocks id get the adjustable as dirt said. You can get closer to what you feel the ride should be like with adjustment. I rode in a few bilstein jks and while the coils were different i still felt they were to stiff for my liking. Definitely some personal preference.

 

Rancho 9000's. Right now buy 3 get 1 free.
Should be able to find them for $80 a piece, = $240 after the $80 rebate.