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?

[MetalGator]

dubdub07 wrote:

The rough ride is not subjective but the perception's of the drivers are subjective. There are certainly mall go-getters in the Wrangler family, but the more capable the Jeep is the rougher the ride will be....I am a 70% off road, 30% grocery getter, and I am here to say that I think that mine, albeit well tuned, still rides rough.

You can convince yourself that it isn't a huge deal but I know if I am driving a few hours somewhere, I am probably not going to take my JKUR.

WW

Subjective or perception (whatever you'd like to call it). I don't think our 2014 Sahara JKU rides rough at all. Both my wife and I think it's a comfortable ride. I have taken several 500+ mile trips in the Jeep and think it's a comfortable ride. Some people must be really picky about how vehicles ride. I have a bad back and driving and riding in the JKU has never bothered me. I probably wouldn't want to drive my 2015 JK that far but I routinely drive it 50 miles one way to Tampa 3 times a month and I don't mind the ride. I have never ridden in a Rubicon so maybe they don't ride as well due the the suspension. I'm not saying the JKU rides like a Cadillac but the JKU is not a bad ride in my opinion. I have been in many small cars that have a much harsher ride than our JKU.

For people thinking about getting a Wrangler, just test drive one and make up your own mind. But I wouldn't discount them just because someone says that don't ride well.

[fishorgolf]

I read all the post, Looking for advice and trying to learn more about the Jeep line up. DW's xk8 Jag has been a great car for 18 years, but not a good tow car and can't fit the grandkid. I thought she'd look good in a jeep silver black top kinda thing. She walked right up to the JGC trailhawk I test drove it but, looks like a lot of things can go wrong with all the fancy options, and at 52K, a bit of sticker shock too. Trying to point her to the Wranglers, signed by help want to return to Quartzsite Az.

[dubdub07]

MetalGator wrote:

dubdub07 wrote:
I can assure you that if it rides rough then everything is right in the world. If there is a Wrangler out there that doesn't have a rough ride then something is terribly wrong.....

I guess "rides rough" is subjective as I don't think my wife's 2014 JKU rides rough. It's no Cadillac but it's not rough. Now, my 2015 JK is rough if you aren't on a smooth road but it's got an awfully short wheelbase. We take my wife's JKU on road trips all the time and it is a comfortable ride. But I'm not used to riding in luxury cars as I don't like riding on the ground.

The rough ride is not subjective but the perception's of the drivers are subjective. There are certainly mall go-getters in the Wrangler family, but the more capable the Jeep is the rougher the ride will be....I am a 70% off road, 30% grocery getter, and I am here to say that I think that mine, albeit well tuned, still rides rough.

You can convince yourself that it isn't a huge deal but I know if I am driving a few hours somewhere, I am probably not going to take my JKUR.

WW

[Trigger_Happy]

I test drove a JLU and WOW it did ride like a real car. I just found the 2014 JK was more in my price range.

Post a picture when you get it all decked out. It's fun to accessorize them.

[zb39]

My 19 JLR rides awesome. New bumper with tow brackets and winch are already installed.

[CA_Traveler]

OK How you compare our 14 JGC Overland to some of the other jeep rides? Not that we are in the market for another jeep but may replace the CRV.

[tropical36]

FIRE UP wrote:

MetalGator wrote:

dubdub07 wrote:
I can assure you that if it rides rough then everything is right in the world. If there is a Wrangler out there that doesn't have a rough ride then something is terribly wrong.....

I guess "rides rough" is subjective as I don't think my wife's 2014 JKU rides rough. It's no Cadillac but it's not rough. Now, my 2015 JK is rough if you aren't on a smooth road but it's got an awfully short wheelbase. We take my wife's JKU on road trips all the time and it is a comfortable ride. But I'm not used to riding in luxury cars as I don't like riding on the ground.

You are absolutely correct, the ride IS subjective. Not ALL Jeep Wranglers ride rough. There's only a few zillion variables that dictate just how they ride. Of course they're different than many autos/trucks/SUVs/ and other makes and models, IT'S A JEEP FOR CHRISTS SAKE!!!! But, in the light of the fact that Jeep has done quite a bit in refinements in the last few years, and, after owning 9 different Jeep Wranglers over the last 35 years, I'd say the newer ones, as in JKs and JLs, ride CONSIDERABLY better than the CJs, YJs, and TJs.

Besides, if one were to do just a tad bit of research, you'd find there are tags with numbers on each set of front and rear springs for the JKs and JLs. Those numbers represent different springs for different applications. As in Sport, X, Sahara, Rubicon, Recon, Hard Rock and all that. Each of those will have different spring rates and will have different spring numbers.

When one purchases a Jeep Wrangler, one basically expects for it to ride somewhat different than the Cadillac they drove to the Jeep dealership. It's a given. But, if one were to test drive say, a Rubicon or a Hard Rock edition, then jump right into a Sahara, I guarantee you'll feel a difference in the ride. Not to mention, there's considerable differences in the tires that are supplied with the various models.
Scott

Yeah....and how soft does one have to have in a ride....geeeeezzzzzhhhh!
On the brighter side of things, when used as a mall crawler, the nimbleness of the vehicle, makes it a fun driver, besides paying off in the brush.

[FIRE_UP]

MetalGator wrote:

dubdub07 wrote:
I can assure you that if it rides rough then everything is right in the world. If there is a Wrangler out there that doesn't have a rough ride then something is terribly wrong.....

I guess "rides rough" is subjective as I don't think my wife's 2014 JKU rides rough. It's no Cadillac but it's not rough. Now, my 2015 JK is rough if you aren't on a smooth road but it's got an awfully short wheelbase. We take my wife's JKU on road trips all the time and it is a comfortable ride. But I'm not used to riding in luxury cars as I don't like riding on the ground.

You are absolutely correct, the ride IS subjective. Not ALL Jeep Wranglers ride rough. There's only a few zillion variables that dictate just how they ride. Of course they're different than many autos/trucks/SUVs/ and other makes and models, IT'S A JEEP FOR CHRISTS SAKE!!!! But, in the light of the fact that Jeep has done quite a bit in refinements in the last few years, and, after owning 9 different Jeep Wranglers over the last 35 years, I'd say the newer ones, as in JKs and JLs, ride CONSIDERABLY better than the CJs, YJs, and TJs.

Besides, if one were to do just a tad bit of research, you'd find there are tags with numbers on each set of front and rear springs for the JKs and JLs. Those numbers represent different springs for different applications. As in Sport, X, Sahara, Rubicon, Recon, Hard Rock and all that. Each of those will have different spring rates and will have different spring numbers.

When one purchases a Jeep Wrangler, one basically expects for it to ride somewhat different than the Cadillac they drove to the Jeep dealership. It's a given. But, if one were to test drive say, a Rubicon or a Hard Rock edition, then jump right into a Sahara, I guarantee you'll feel a difference in the ride. Not to mention, there's considerable differences in the tires that are supplied with the various models.
Scott

[Mile_High]

Trigger Happy wrote:
Fixed the problem. Jeep rides much better now. All it took was buying a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 4 door. :B

It really is much better in many respects. Thanks to those who suggested that upgrade.

Now the towing set up begins.

Congratulations! Like I said, The JKU is not perfect, but a better ride than the TJ. Just got through putting a new Bestop Twill Sunrider on mine along with some new winch parts! Too cool! You can't have that kind of fun with a Grand Cherokee or a CRV 🙂

[MetalGator]

dubdub07 wrote:
I can assure you that if it rides rough then everything is right in the world. If there is a Wrangler out there that doesn't have a rough ride then something is terribly wrong.....

I guess "rides rough" is subjective as I don't think my wife's 2014 JKU rides rough. It's no Cadillac but it's not rough. Now, my 2015 JK is rough if you aren't on a smooth road but it's got an awfully short wheelbase. We take my wife's JKU on road trips all the time and it is a comfortable ride. But I'm not used to riding in luxury cars as I don't like riding on the ground.

[dubdub07]

I can assure you that if it rides rough then everything is right in the world. If there is a Wrangler out there that doesn't have a rough ride then something is terribly wrong.....

The new JL offering is quieter and the 8 speed is a nice addition, but the Rubi I drove still had that Jeep rough ride....as far as a non-Wrangler Jeep as a toad....if you make a gain in one area you are sacrificing in another....the rough ride is the ride of competence. If you do not off-road a lot, maybe a CR-V is in your future.

WW

[tropical36]

Trigger Happy wrote:
Fixed the problem. Jeep rides much better now. All it took was buying a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 4 door. :B

It really is much better in many respects. Thanks to those who suggested that upgrade.

Now the towing set up begins.

After some research, I went with a NSA, READYBRUTE/ELITE package and DEMCO base plates. Couldn't be more satisfied after being all over and up and down both the Rockies and Appalachia.

[Trigger_Happy]

Fixed the problem. Jeep rides much better now. All it took was buying a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 4 door. :B

It really is much better in many respects. Thanks to those who suggested that upgrade.

Now the towing set up begins.

[tropical36]

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

Depending on what you had, an 18 JL Wrangler is a world of difference, too. However, no off road vehicle of which there are few, is to be compared to an over the road vehicle.