Need Help ID'ing Suspension Mods
#11
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
I don't know... it looks bent to me. This is my factory drag link that I modified 2 years ago with a length of heavy channel. It still lives a fine and happy life behind my 37" tires. Total cost.... a chunk of scrap steel and 2 beers worth of time. When it dies maybe I'll consider an upgrade, but I will likely find a low mile take off factory one from Craigslist and add my magic to it again :-)
#12
JK Jedi
I do appreciate the driver skill aspect, and it's something that constantly evolving. I have recovery gear, a plug kit, gears, and the rubi e-lockers. No air yet, though. It really does perform exceptionally well compared to the K5 Blazers I used to run. I'm mostly concerned with the safety issues and upgrades that will head off costly failures down the road.
Let's be realistic, though. I know a lot of people will always fall back on this sort of thing when talking about upgrades (and i totally get it - it's an honest and true answer), but it's not just the driving part that I get enjoyment out of. I also have a great time modifying/upgrading/wrenching on the jeep, and with my schedule, working on it is far more accommodating than getting out for wheeling trips. I'm not tied to any budget (although I'm not going to spend like crazy or anything). But most parts are well within my reach, and I love the process of researching, learning, installing, etc. Having an intimate knowledge of how each part works and is installed can't help but make you a better driver, knowing the weak points, what parts to avoid stressing excessively, etc...
Not to get excessively wordy (or defensive or anything)... I also have played guitar for many years and have a collection. I modify them, a lot, as well. It's not that I need and upgrade to get out and play a show or that a new part will get me a record contract and make me rich or anything. I do it because it's fun. You get to try new stuff and learn about it at the same time - fun way to pass the time. Is it a waste of money and impractical? Sure. But it's certainly more fun and better for me than other stuff I could be doing.
Let's be realistic, though. I know a lot of people will always fall back on this sort of thing when talking about upgrades (and i totally get it - it's an honest and true answer), but it's not just the driving part that I get enjoyment out of. I also have a great time modifying/upgrading/wrenching on the jeep, and with my schedule, working on it is far more accommodating than getting out for wheeling trips. I'm not tied to any budget (although I'm not going to spend like crazy or anything). But most parts are well within my reach, and I love the process of researching, learning, installing, etc. Having an intimate knowledge of how each part works and is installed can't help but make you a better driver, knowing the weak points, what parts to avoid stressing excessively, etc...
Not to get excessively wordy (or defensive or anything)... I also have played guitar for many years and have a collection. I modify them, a lot, as well. It's not that I need and upgrade to get out and play a show or that a new part will get me a record contract and make me rich or anything. I do it because it's fun. You get to try new stuff and learn about it at the same time - fun way to pass the time. Is it a waste of money and impractical? Sure. But it's certainly more fun and better for me than other stuff I could be doing.
I typically recommend that people run no larger then 35" tires with lockers and perforce gears with a 2-2.5" lift and flat fenders. You won't break the bank, have a jeep that will run 90% of the trails out there, and will have resale value. If this configuration is not good enough for the trails you run then you should be looking at building a buggy. A custom buggy won't have the limitations of the JK in terms of clearance that will have you hacking up the body and frame, a buggy will allow you to customize the motor and drivetrain for the needed power to turn the big rubber and maintain momentum on long steep climbs, minimizes damage from roll overs since you don't have to worry about sheet metal and windshield frames. A buggy will allow you to dial in suspension geometry with control arm mounts. A buggy should be much lighter then a JK and the weight of the JK becomes an issue with power and breaking stuff. Heavy vehicle have a harder time climbing things off road and are more likely to break things like driveshafts, control arms, and axle shafts. Most people that do extreme builds on a JK regret it in the end and wish they would have spent the money on a more capable buggy.
Not knowing what kinds of trails you run and how far you are willing to go to modify. If you are simply buying stuff to bolt on like most of the JK crowd then you are just trowing away money for no real reason and there are a million ways to do it and many venders that will be more than happy to take your money. If money is no issue and you plan to keep the JK the sky is the limit. It is easy to drop $80k on a coil over/axle/ls set up that will take you most anywhere you want to go at speed, just realize after dropping that kind of money on a JK it will be worth about half of what your modifications cost.
In the end it comes down to your budget and what you want out of the jeep.
#13
JK Jedi
Unless the suspension is causing an issue, I'd focus on upgrading the factory steering up front. Look at a DL and TR, and relocate the steering stabilizer from below to up top (keeping the factory SS is fine). I'd also replace that trackbar with something that is better than the procomp that you suspect is on there. Keep in mind, if you still have the factory ball joints you'll need to plan on replacing those at some point. You could also look at replacing brake lines. There is room for improving quality of the suspension components over what you have, but doing so isn't going to net you a jeep that is that much more capable in what it's going to do.
#14
Super Moderator
So let me get this straight. There are some mods installed, and you're unsure of the name brands of those parts. You're not currently experiencing any problems with those parts but you'ld like to identify the name brand, so you can "upgrade" them?
How about purchasing some <insert favorite brand name vendor> stickers, and slapping them on those parts and convincing yourself that's what they are?
This is like the ultimate blind test, where it seems you're just determined to fool yourself through some placebo effect upgrades. Stickers will work just as well and cost much less.
Why not just call the guy you purchased it from and ask him?
How about purchasing some <insert favorite brand name vendor> stickers, and slapping them on those parts and convincing yourself that's what they are?
This is like the ultimate blind test, where it seems you're just determined to fool yourself through some placebo effect upgrades. Stickers will work just as well and cost much less.
Why not just call the guy you purchased it from and ask him?
#15
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
So let me get this straight. There are some mods installed, and you're unsure of the name brands of those parts. You're not currently experiencing any problems with those parts but you'ld like to identify the name brand, so you can "upgrade" them?
How about purchasing some <insert favorite brand name vendor> stickers, and slapping them on those parts and convincing yourself that's what they are?
This is like the ultimate blind test, where it seems you're just determined to fool yourself through some placebo effect upgrades. Stickers will work just as well and cost much less.
Why not just call the guy you purchased it from and ask him?
How about purchasing some <insert favorite brand name vendor> stickers, and slapping them on those parts and convincing yourself that's what they are?
This is like the ultimate blind test, where it seems you're just determined to fool yourself through some placebo effect upgrades. Stickers will work just as well and cost much less.
Why not just call the guy you purchased it from and ask him?
It was repo'd in Florida back in 2011 and had not been driven since when i got it last year, or calling the previous owner would have been my first step.
Last edited by thewestwon; 07-24-2017 at 04:04 PM.
#16
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Unless the suspension is causing an issue, I'd focus on upgrading the factory steering up front. Look at a DL and TR, and relocate the steering stabilizer from below to up top (keeping the factory SS is fine). I'd also replace that trackbar with something that is better than the procomp that you suspect is on there. Keep in mind, if you still have the factory ball joints you'll need to plan on replacing those at some point. You could also look at replacing brake lines. There is room for improving quality of the suspension components over what you have, but doing so isn't going to net you a jeep that is that much more capable in what it's going to do.
#17
Wow its a 2011 and its been sitting for 6+ years with only 4k on it??! Blown CV? Hmm those 4k must of been pretty rough by the looks of things and those tires must of got swapped on because they got way more than 4k
#18
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
No it had 4k on it when I got it in October. I've ran it up to 18k since and had it out on the trail a few weeks back. Didn't do a real bang up job cleaning the underside.
#19
JK Jedi
I think it's good you're trying to figure out what you have. Most people that buy a lifted jeep and no clue, and don't care to know. Knowing is half the struggle, and nothing wrong with posting to have people help at least identify what is stock and what isn't. Sometimes it's really hard to identify a brand by a picture, but can at least tell what is stock and what isn't. I went about things the hard way, so I will say I am a big proponent of just buying high quality parts to begin with and only doing it once, but sometimes you find yourself in a different situation for whatever reason. In this case, you have the parts you have. Probably the most important thing is that you have the proper caster up front. It seems that with the components on the jeep, you should be good in that department....at which point just focus on other things to address in your build, or desired build. If at any point joints fail on those control arms, maybe then look to swap to what you'd really like. If the springs start to sag, maybe then look to swap to what you'd want.
You sound like someone who likes to tinker with things. LOL, this is the perfect vehicle for you!!
You sound like someone who likes to tinker with things. LOL, this is the perfect vehicle for you!!
#20
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
The red link in my signature covers the suspension and what each component does. That thread is also a sticky at the top of the modified section. Jeeps are like playing with legos or building an AR15 and there are millions of ways to build it. Your description of your jeep is a very capable jeep. Are there places you can spend money to replace current components? Yes. Are they going to help you do more things or last longer? That answer is likely no. Only you can tell what is lacking on your jeep by your trail experience, what do you feel is holding you back? Natural progression at this point would be a move to tons, bigger tires, maybe an atlas transfer case, LS swap, coil overs. Do you want a jeep that has resale value or are you willing to hack it up and keep it forever? No matter how much you upgrade you will always have maintenance and things are going to break and built stuff is going to cost more to repair.
I typically recommend that people run no larger then 35" tires with lockers and perforce gears with a 2-2.5" lift and flat fenders. You won't break the bank, have a jeep that will run 90% of the trails out there, and will have resale value. If this configuration is not good enough for the trails you run then you should be looking at building a buggy. A custom buggy won't have the limitations of the JK in terms of clearance that will have you hacking up the body and frame, a buggy will allow you to customize the motor and drivetrain for the needed power to turn the big rubber and maintain momentum on long steep climbs, minimizes damage from roll overs since you don't have to worry about sheet metal and windshield frames. A buggy will allow you to dial in suspension geometry with control arm mounts. A buggy should be much lighter then a JK and the weight of the JK becomes an issue with power and breaking stuff. Heavy vehicle have a harder time climbing things off road and are more likely to break things like driveshafts, control arms, and axle shafts. Most people that do extreme builds on a JK regret it in the end and wish they would have spent the money on a more capable buggy.
Not knowing what kinds of trails you run and how far you are willing to go to modify. If you are simply buying stuff to bolt on like most of the JK crowd then you are just trowing away money for no real reason and there are a million ways to do it and many venders that will be more than happy to take your money. If money is no issue and you plan to keep the JK the sky is the limit. It is easy to drop $80k on a coil over/axle/ls set up that will take you most anywhere you want to go at speed, just realize after dropping that kind of money on a JK it will be worth about half of what your modifications cost.
In the end it comes down to your budget and what you want out of the jeep.
I typically recommend that people run no larger then 35" tires with lockers and perforce gears with a 2-2.5" lift and flat fenders. You won't break the bank, have a jeep that will run 90% of the trails out there, and will have resale value. If this configuration is not good enough for the trails you run then you should be looking at building a buggy. A custom buggy won't have the limitations of the JK in terms of clearance that will have you hacking up the body and frame, a buggy will allow you to customize the motor and drivetrain for the needed power to turn the big rubber and maintain momentum on long steep climbs, minimizes damage from roll overs since you don't have to worry about sheet metal and windshield frames. A buggy will allow you to dial in suspension geometry with control arm mounts. A buggy should be much lighter then a JK and the weight of the JK becomes an issue with power and breaking stuff. Heavy vehicle have a harder time climbing things off road and are more likely to break things like driveshafts, control arms, and axle shafts. Most people that do extreme builds on a JK regret it in the end and wish they would have spent the money on a more capable buggy.
Not knowing what kinds of trails you run and how far you are willing to go to modify. If you are simply buying stuff to bolt on like most of the JK crowd then you are just trowing away money for no real reason and there are a million ways to do it and many venders that will be more than happy to take your money. If money is no issue and you plan to keep the JK the sky is the limit. It is easy to drop $80k on a coil over/axle/ls set up that will take you most anywhere you want to go at speed, just realize after dropping that kind of money on a JK it will be worth about half of what your modifications cost.
In the end it comes down to your budget and what you want out of the jeep.