I started with a Fox 2.0 shock set on RK 2.5" lift, on my (quite heavy) JKUR. As my tires got bigger and I needed to get/stay street legal it changed to a JKS 3.5" lift and finally Fox 2.5 IBP shocks.
But still got some bottom outs with "higher" speeds, well higher...... starts with 35mph.
Added some hydraulic bumps stops and already hear and feel rear bottoming out with higher load.
So I would like to add 1" lift, so 4.5" overall to get some more positive travel.
Also I´m thinking of different shocks. But the Fox 2.5 IBP are some really decent shocks.
I thought of JK specific King 2.5 bypass ones. But my shop isn´t happy with those. They are to difficult to dial in. They recommend Icon 2.5 CDCV because easy to dial in, they run them for smaller competitions and never had any problems or bottoming out their JK. I´m not so convinced.........
So which way to go ?
I must say coming from Germany it´s a pita to stay street legal with all this stuff and I´m quite limited on parts. Shocks is no problem but lift kits are more than limited.

 

Why not go with air bags driven by a switched solenoid and onboard compressor to adjust on the fly. No point designing suspension for a given part time load.

 

Metalcloak coils hold weight extremely well, im sure some other brands do too. i have 3.125 and 3.625 of lift on 2.5 inch coils. I bought 2 door coils to lower the rear, still need to install. Jeep drives great, i even have a knock off currie swaybar; (i paid 360 vs 700 and it still has aluminum brackets and better links). I have no issues cornering at high speeds, it does it better than stock. I would bottom out all the time with soft coil springs on damn torn up minnesota back roads, metalcloak coils solved that completely. Thats my experience, maybe not helpful, but soft coils sucked ass for me. Ive driven in softer coil springed jeeps and they dont do well where i live. All the trails are rutted to hell aswell. To put in perspective how hard stuff is on steering, when i got the jeep, that had never been offroaded before me. Every steering joint only lasted 20k miles with casual offroading. The frozen lakes were my killer, constant bottoming out and shifting the jeep around. Maybe some stiffer coils to prevent such aggressive bottom outs and some adjustable shocks would be good for you.

 

You could always do a 1" spacer to gain the height, but it won't affect the spring sag under load.

I run ICON coilovers so I can tell you from experience the shocks are great. I did have to rebuild one that developed a small leak but the rebuild kits aren't expensive. Their springs are made by Eibach, at least the coilover springs,and they don't sag, under load. The shocks are easy to adjust.

You could also go with the Old Man Emu heavy springs, or as mentioned use airbags for when used under load.

 

dupicate, bad internet

 

Yeah this spacer thing is also what my shop told me. I´m not sure what is better. 3.5" JKS + spacer, or 4.5" springs.
The shop "recommended" AEV. Or better said, that´s what they sell and get road legal.

also@ JeepLiam
With the JKS and rest of my lift I´m really happy. Handles good, has the right softness etc.
Only I think it bottoms out to fast. And we are not talking about going 80mph in the desert.
It´s from 35 on ( a little rougher) beaches. Also If the Jeep is loaded up you can hear it going into the bump stops onroad.......
So far far away from me thinking driving a prerunner..............

Now it sounds good that the Icon stuff performs quite good.
That´s also what the shop sid. but they want to sell.......... even if the owner is racing himself.
Also I´m still a few clicks away from max LSC on my Fox. Maybe I add the 1" to get some more positive travel and try to go on full LSC on the shocks and check how much travel I really use.
After all hearing that the Jeep hits the bumpstops doesn´t mean he goes completly through the travel and bottoms out (to hard)

 

The spacer will be the cheapest option, but I'm not sure you need the extra height if spring sag is your concern. The springs will sag the same even with the spacers but you will have the extra inch. I would probably replace the 3.5" springs with something firmer especially in the rear that is a heavier load spring, but keep in mind the Jeep will ride differently.

 

double post by accident - deleted