I need a little help guys.

I recently added a new Hyline front bumper to my otherwise stock 2012 JKUR. The overall weight was about 85 pound for the bumper and about 5 pounds for hardware/skidplate/lights. So 90 pounds roughly total. The drop in the front suspension isn't visually dramatic, but when I am behind the wheel I can notice a slight slant and a little dive under braking. I have been given advice here NOT to do spacers because it is only a temporary fix. I was told that SPRINGS are the way to go. I am pondering the Teraflex #1853052 kit below. But do I need anything else with it like end-links? I'll place a call into Teraflex this week, but wanted to show it to the group first since we have quite a few experts.

http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-wrangler-...ront-pair.html

Here is my Jeep current pic. It looks like the drop was about maybe an inch. I did not do before and after measurements, unfortunately. Visually the drop is not dramatic. But you can feel it.

Side:


Front:

 

I would classify just front spings as a temp fix as well. What are your "long term goals"? I'd go with a budget boost if cost is a concern.

 

I'd start by seeing what number your front springs are. I was in the same boat and ended up going aftermarket because I thought any jeep springs wouldn't be enough to bring it back up. It turned out my JKU had 14 springs... The softest. If yours are low # springs, you can upgrade to rubicon springs....

 

Thanks guys.

Actually I have a Rubicon...so it naturally has the stock OEM Rubicon springs for the 2012 model year. Not sure what number they are, but will check.

It looks like the Teraflex kit lifts about 1" to 1.5" for the Unlimited. I guess what I need to do is to stiffen-up the front end...not necessarily just lift it. Lifting something on soft springs would still cause it to dive under braking. So really what I need is about a 1" lift and stiffer compression. This is where I am having the issue. Not sure what combination of things to do. No, cost is not an issue. I would want it done right and have to plans to put larger wheels at this time.

 

Any other ideas? I can't possibly have been the only one to deal with this....any help would be appreciated.

 

You can usually find a set of springs from a 4.0l TJ locally for cheap, if not free, and this will lift the front nearly back to the stock location (pre-bumpers) and also correct the brake dive.

 

Stronger springs ARE the way to go when you need to support more weight. I was able to compensate for a winch bumper and winch by going up 3 spring numbers in front. If you can't get stock springs 3 numbers higher than what you have, then the aftermarket is your option. Trouble is, most aftermarket springs are labelled for how much height they provide rather than for how much extra weight they will support at a given height.

When your height drops or the handling suffers because of extra weight, it means the spring is compressed more than it was designed for. A spacer WILL NOT make the spring support the weight any better. In this case, a spacer is a poor band-aid that just hides the overloaded spring. (This does NOT mean spacers are useless. They provide more height just fine when the spring and the weight are right for each other.)

BTW, I'm really amused by lift kits that advertise "XX inches" of lift when the lift manufacturer has only a general idea how much weight their springs are going to support. The weight of a 2 door JK can vary by around half a ton depending on how it is equipped. Consider a stock base Sport/X with no top, doors, or back seat compared to a loaded Rubi hardtop with steel bumpers, a winch, and a full set of armor.

 

I took some measurements today.

First the coil springs that I have on there are #52126318AC. These are the OEM Rubicon springs. I assume that the "18" indicates the stiffness.

Upon measuring from the center of the front wheels to the bottom edge of the fender flare I got 20.5" on each side. The rear measured 21.25" on both sides. From the ground to the front fender flare yielded 35.5" and the rear 36.25" on both sides.

The challenge here (that has been pointed out in many threads) is overshooting the front spring lift and ending up with a Jeep that has the front-end lifted in the air higher than the rear. Thus, when you load the rear with gear you have a vehicle that sits at an upward slope.

The most I could do is a stiffer spring that ONLY lifts 1" at the max, but it is hard to tell if the aftermarket springs are stiffer than the #52126318AC Rubicon units. So yeah, it seems to be coming to a spacer versus a spring issue.

 

You do need a bit more spring. My Sport measured 36" at the front flares when new. After the mods it was about 34.5". With Rubi springs it came back to 36".

I went to the dealer recently and measured some new Rubis. They were about 37" at the front flare, so you seem to need about an inch.

Mopar makes a "19" front spring. There could even be a "20" but I've not heard of one. Very possible that a "19" spring and a 1/2" spacer puck would get your height back and stiffen up the handling a bit. Its easy and inexpensive to try, and any leftover springs are easy to sell here on the forum.

If you are going to put on tires that need a lift, then this is all kinda mute because the weight compensation will get done by the lift kit.

 

Great info!!! Thanks. I will call my MOPAR guy tomorrow and ask about the 19s.