I have a 2012 JK and its my DD and I am going to be taking it on some road trips. I'm running pretty much stock everything now but would like a lil smoother of a ride (bumps/pot holes) so need a lil help. Do I need new shocks or new springs or both? Any advice and suggestions needed. Thanks. Also, kinda limited on funds so cant go crazy here. Prolly can spend approx 500$

 

I would check your tire pressure letting a bit of air out of the tires can give you a better ride on the jeep. Without going custom valving on shocks one of the adjustable like the ranchero I think would be your best bet. I have never run them but seem to be popular. I run adjustable king coil overs which are nice but expensive. I don't know of any coils you could run that would not lift your jeep.

 

I will def lower my air pressure and see how that does. And I dont mind if I got coils and they added a lil lift. Lifts are always good. Its not that I dont want to modify the hell outta my jeep. Its just I dont have the funds to do so.

 

Check out the Rock krawler 1.5in spring with a set of rancho adjustable shocks. I have those springs and bilsteins and really like the ride but it's not as soft as stock. With the ranchos people say you can get that softer ride you are looking for.

 

Lifting will not increase ride quality especially with factory tires and wheels, so I would debate the comment that lifts are good.

 

You can pick up a Rancho 2" sport lift for 400 bucks with rebate. I have that with the RS9000XL adjustable shocks. Better ride than stock, and I got 2.5" of lift in the front. It's a good kit. I run the front shocks set at 3, rear at 5. I just did a write up on it today after having it installed for 10K miles. Keeping stock tires, you won't feel a change in mileage either, as long as you keep the plastic front spoiler installed.

 

Ok guys. Thanks. I will look into all of them and Dirtman.. I hear what you are saying. Thanks

 

Yeah, I have to agree here that adding a lift is not the solution. You will most likely end up with poorer riding Jeep. Especially if it is a 2-door. Lift will cause your caster to decrease. Even a little bit can hurt the ride quality. Aftermarket coils are a complex puzzle to navigate, but many, if not the majority, are designed with pretty high spring rates (stiffer to prevent sag when weighted) to accommodate heavier JKs as most that want a lift are adding heavy bumpers, etc.

Best bet is to lower the air pressure in the tires. After that, try the Rancho shocks (which you can send back if you don't like them). If that all doesn't work, accept that you have a JK and that is just how they ride.

 

There really is not enough information here.

Are you the original owner? Has the ride changed since purchasing the vehicle? What tires do you have? How old are they? How are they wear?
when you say pretty much shock, no weight has been added light a bumper or winch?

 

Unless you go with metalcloak with bilsteins 5100 series shocks but that is way over hie budget. But as for ride - Better than Stock