Hi guys,

I've been looking around because I'm running a 2.5" lift on my JKU and 37" Cooper tires. I would like to increase the lift a bit and ran into an article about coilovers and I'm not that much aware of what the benefits/downside would be. I use my JK in the desert in Dubai and don't really need the huge articulation but would like a setup where I have good clearance, go-fast performance and ride quality and still a street drivable car(Not used much on streets though). I have been looking at Fox shocks with reservoir and a 4" lift like Teraflex or Full Traction but the coilovers made me wonder if that would be a better way of doing it?

Thanks for you insight guys

 

You can get what you're looking for in a good set of springs and shocks without breaking the bank on coilovers. Coilovers do not provide more flex, but do produce a great ride. Please understand that there are other components to your suspension that probably need some lovin' too. It doesn't matter how much money you thrown into shocks, if the geometry isn't right, it will ride like shit.

 

Coil overs will give you more flexibilty in adjustment and would be good for what you are describing doing with your jeep. There is no way you can get the same tuning performance from conventianal coils and shocks as you can get from a properly set up set of coil overs. Set up is the key. I would also look into running hydraulic bump stops if you going fast in the desert. If you are looking at 4" of lift you should be looking at a high steer upgrade as well. If you really want to set it up right go with a long arm.

 

Like I said proper set up is the key. You can have it ride better then conventional even with the fancy new tripple rate coils out there. With the coil overs you pick coil rates based on the weight of your jeep, the ride you want, ride height, and what you will be doing with the jeep.
Ask your buddy if coil overs are for rock krawling then why do all the desert truck racers run them? Adjustability is the benifet of coil overs as well as better placement of the coils on the axle. I do not however care for mounting coil overs in the factory location on the rear of a JK.

 

I would definitely upgrade steering and go long arm since I'm already doing changes and don't want to spend the money(and time) twice doing the upgrade again later. I see it's a lot more expensive with the coilovers and I'm not completely sure if it's worth it... So I'm hoping somebody can convince me to go either coilovers or regular. Is there any downside to the coilover?

 

i wouldnt want to be convinced on my set up, id want it built for what i want to do and my expectations. Are coilovers more expensive, sure but in the bigger picture sometimes its not a huge difference, depends on the brands of everything you get. I went coilover, but did not feel i needed the top of the line kings, in the end for my use. im sure the route I went will be plenty for me. Also depends on if you will be doing the work or having a shop. As dirt said proper set up can make a break a set up and most kits each have there own approach to a long arm set up on a jk...

On a side not ill be that guy and say that the faster your shocks can handle and allow you to go in the desert the more likely you are going to be putting alot more stress on your axle housing and such on larger bumps at speed...They will do better at absorbing it as well, but just a thought...

 

Cost is the drawback to coil overs. This is mainly due to the high end threaded shocks you need as well as two or three sets of coils on each shock. You need to do custom mounts and may have to do some body/frame trimming to get them to fit. I would avoid the bolt on solutions out there. If you are scared of the price or the permeant modificaions to your jeep then I would not run coil overs. ORI struts may be another option but I don't think they are all that great for a go fast solution.

 

Never had an issue with the go fast with these and they sure do live up the the hype that you'll feel like you're "riding on a cloud of titties." I have maybe run 10 miles or so at a time at high speed, so if you are doing further than that, my experience might be invalid. They do make an add on reservoir that might address this concern?

For go fast only... I'd stick with the COs myself. Straight crawling, ORIs hands down. Mix... well, which do you plan on doing more of (which you've already answered)?

 

Thanks for the update on the go fast with the ori's. I would like to try and get together when you are up here for the fordyce weekend and drive your rig if I could to feel the ORI's.

 

Sure.