Jeep toad rides to rough.

[Trigger_Happy]

Our toad is a 06 Jeep LJ Wrangler Unlimited. It a great vehicle for towing but when driving it the ride is to rough. It's not lifted, has all stock suspension and tires. We don't go off road with it, it's more a daily driver type.

It rides like a Jeep ( 🙂 ) but if anything can be done for improving the ride I'd like to try.

Anyone have any success at this?

[dadwolf2]

LJ's are HIGHLY sought after in the off-roading community. If you aren't using it in that capacity you can sell it and make top dollar.

[mc_cc]

Traded mine for a 2018 GMC Canyon. Night and Day difference. Much more comfortable and quiet ride.

[Trigger_Happy]

There's so many good ideas here it's going to take some time to research the options.

Thanks for the replies! I never thought this question would generate so much interest.

I'm thinking I'll just buy a Costco seat cushion... till I get new JL car fever.

[CVD]

Mile High wrote:

CVD wrote:
As others have said, shocks, tires, and tire pressure are the place to start (and stop). Springs don’t really effect the ride quality as much as you’d think. They mostly hold the vehicle at a particular height.

Oh I would have to completely disagree - ride starts with the springs and cheap aftermarket springs equal terrible ride. A lot of science goes into the rate of compression of those springs and how they rebound. Going from a factory spring to a cheap aftermarket is the fastest way to learn to hate your TJ, especially when you feel the cracks in the road through your neck.

OP is talking about improving ride with stock ride height, I assume stock OEM springs & shocks. "Upgradjng" the worn shocks would be worthwhile (think he's now done that).  Not much improvement should be expected from different springs, would only do so if he's looking for lift.

[down_home]

I haven't owned a Jeep in ages but stiff suspension and Jeep just doesn't seem to mesh.
The MB Jeep I had on the flight lien in Nam, you could walk it up a wall. Rough roads were not as smooth as my F150 but it had suspension travel and did not beat me to death.
If you can tow it get a 4x4(necessary for being towed F150. My 05, Saddie, takes RxR tracks and everything else like it wasn't there. It is two wheel drive 4 door cab though. The new light weight easily bent aluminum ones, I'm not sure. Try it out first.

[Mile_High]

CVD wrote:
As others have said, shocks, tires, and tire pressure are the place to start (and stop). Springs don’t really effect the ride quality as much as you’d think. They mostly hold the vehicle at a particular height.

Oh I would have to completely disagree - ride starts with the springs and cheap aftermarket springs equal terrible ride. A lot of science goes into the rate of compression of those springs and how they rebound. Going from a factory spring to a cheap aftermarket is the fastest way to learn to hate your TJ, especially when you feel the cracks in the road through your neck.

[wowens79]

Look on wranglertjforum.com and you will find that people love the ride of the Rancho RS5000x. They say it is a much smoother ride on road, and it is tuned perfect for the TJ/LJ. They are also reasonably priced at about $50 each.

Make sure it is the X, that is the one you want.

I'll be putting them on my TJ when I put a better lift on it.

[CVD]

As others have said, shocks, tires, and tire pressure are the place to start (and stop). Springs don’t really effect the ride quality as much as you’d think. They mostly hold the vehicle at a particular height. Shocks do the most controlling up and down. Variable rate springs in particular are of minimal value. Having said that, you should get a tolerable ride from that LJ, but it will never match a uni-body passenger car (i.e. CRV, Equinox, Edge). I tow a modified TJ (Wrangler) for off-roading trips and a CRV for any other outings. Wouldn’t consider a Wrangler unless it would be used off road.

BTW – that LJ will never go down in value. It's much sought after for a starting point for off-road builds (perfect "in between" 103 inch wheelbase).

[mike_brez]

I'm runnng three vechiles with General Grabber A/T2s
Just went last week to get new 35s on my truck and the A/T2s were not available and ended up getting the General Grabber ATZs
My Wrangler has brand new BFG MTs on it and will be changing them when they wear out.

[Thegeorges]

Changing the tires will make a big improvement the factory Bfg tires I had on mine were the worst riding tires you could feel every ripple on the road , switched to the new General grabber m/t tires it was night and day ride , they also make a good all terrain tire too from what I hear , and upgrade from the factory shocks will also help,change out the factory steering stabilizer too

[RJL]

My understanding is the new JL's ride like a proper SUV. I refuse to drive one because I would probably buy it. Ease of soft top removal, plush ride, Rubicon capabilities (If you wanna go that route) all significantly improved over the JK's. Just wait a year or two until they get the bugs worked out.

[Trigger_Happy]

I replaced the shocks with a new softer then the factory type but the compression and rebound from the coil springs are harsh in street and highway conditions.

Doing some research now on progressive springs, maybe help a little or...

possibly I just need to look at a newer version LJ, now the JL.

[GeeWillakers]

Big Katuna wrote:
Driving a Jeep on flat, relatively smooth highways is ok.

Try secondary and tertiary, potholed, rough roads used for farming, the kind we like to explore, and four hours will change your opinion.

Drove from Dawson City to Tuktoyaktuk last June and back in JK. Took much more than 4 hours. Glad we had a Jeep.

[travisc]

2 things get a non e rated tired if that’s what you have your looking for a softer sidewall. Get softer shocks

[Y-Guy]

Trigger Happy wrote:
Y-guy They are Cooper Discoverer A/T 30x9.50Rx15
Mostly a roadie tread pattern.

That's a pretty good tire, if your getting up in mileage and you don't do much off road driving you might think of a more highway friendly tire. I switched from the stock Dueler's to the KO2, not as quiet but for the more aggressive tread they are great, and much quieter than any MTs. Fact that you don't have MTs rules out making a huge difference with a new tire.

Have you replaced the shocks? If not I'd start there. You might also check our wranglerforum.com to see if other LJ owners have to say about ride improvement options.