How to Make a Jeep Wrangler Ride Smoother (What Works)

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When you eat, drink and breathe adventures and road trips, having a jeep wrangler is a dream comes true. Its class, standard and versatility have made it remain popular for years on end.

It is a hit with the youngsters since their bodies are still young and they can withstand the rough bumpy ride. Sometimes it doesn’t matter the size of the bumps because even the smallest bump’s impact will be felt more so in the cabin.

The reason why the shocks are quite dramatic is that the vehicle’s shock absorbers are quite rigid and they tend to have a problem withstanding the impact.

The other reason why the impact is felt more is that the vehicle is way up the ground. If the suspension components are not working, the jeep wrangler might not achieve it’s off the road performance as well as comfort.

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Some of the Most Common Problems That May Affect the Jeep Wrangler Ride

Before coming up with solutions, it is important to establish what the issues are and these are some of them;

1. Improperly Aligned Steering Stabilizers

The steering stabilizers help in absorbing the excess shock while reducing the transfer of the steering wheel power. In the event the speed is increased up to a certain level, the steering wheel is bound to have some problems.

2. Wheelbase Impact Issue

The wheelbase can get you into problems since it doesn’t have the required capability to handle the energy that’s emitted when the vehicle hits a bump with the rear or the front axle.

The wheelbase also creates an aerodynamic noise when it hits a bump or any other obstacle. When Jeep Wrangler ride is compared

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3. Less Stiffness in Bump Stops

A Jeep Wrangler comes with bump stops which help in getting the action of the excess spring. If these bump stops exceed a certain level, the spring tends to become fully compressed.

When the springs are overly compressed, the shocks are stressed which makes it hard for the vehicle to withstand the bumps. iv.

The rebound of springs as a result of poor shock absorbers Most times the jeep wrangler shocks are hydraulic which leads to the springs getting more rebounds and movements when one is riding on bumpy terrain.

The jeep wrangler will not also recover quickly since the shocks are loose which also leads to more body roll.

Check out this article on “Jeep Starts then Dies Right Away” by Cory.

Solutions to Make Your Jeep Wrangler Ride Smoother

1. Replacing the Tires Wrangler

tires have been made for traction which means all the wheels should have a firm grip on the surface.

Such tires have not been designed for the highways. If you want to make your jeep wranglers ride smoother, you should replace the old tires with low profile tires which generate less friction. Not only do they reduce friction, but they also help in reducing the vehicle’s height.

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2. Springs and Rebound Balance

The old Jeep Wranglers were made with leaf springs while the newer models have been made with coil springs. The coil springs are the best when dealing with vertical impacts.

In the event you pass over a hole or over a bump, the impact is evenly distributed within the coil springs. The leaf springs are less efficient as compared to the coil springs; so, you should replace the leaf springs with coil springs.

The newest coil springs come with different rates of firmness which means they react depending on the amount of pressure applied to them. Also, replacing the shocks isn’t a bad idea either!

3. Installing a Camber Kit

Camber kits help in reducing the impact of a bumpy road by straightening the tire tracks. After lowering the vehicle, the wheels might end up on a different angle which makes the two sides of the Jeep Wrangler work against each other. Having a camber kit will help in reducing the shock.

4. Replacing the Shock Dampeners

When the vehicle is on springs only, it tends to bounce up and down after every hole or bump; shock dampeners help in regulating such forces.

Having an old shock dampeners will result in a jeep wranglers ride rough. But, one thing you should know is that the stiffer the shock dampeners, the rougher the ride.

Shock dampeners help in absorbing the energy emitted when the Jeep Wrangler hits a bump. Jeep wrangler shocks have been designed to be tough especially on rough roads.

For you to enjoy a smoother ride on your jeep wrangler, you should replace these shock dampeners with road-friendly shocks.

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5. Lower the Riding Speed

When you are driving fast, the better part of your jeep wrangler ride will be bumpy ride and uncomfortable. To make it more comfortable, it is recommended that you lower your speed and drive at a considerable speed.

Most of the lifted jeeps have been fitted with a high torque engine which makes the vehicle jump into gears aggressively thus making the rougher ride.

Thus, for a smooth ride, try controlling your speed especially when making turns.

6. Adding Weight to the Vehicle

By adding weight to the vehicle, the weight will lessen the impact of the bumps on the vehicle. You are wondering how to add weight to the vehicle; this is done by installing hard doors and rooftops which are made of steel.

Avoid canvas rooftops and instead opt for a steel one. Also, avoid lifting your vehicle too high. In the event there’s an installed kit, you should remove it and replace it with a smaller one to get better and smoother ride.

7. Changing the Bushings on Your Vehicle’s Steering

components might affect how it handles. Jeeps come with rubber bushings that are insulated from road vibration; they are cheap and maintenance-free.

There’s only one problem with these rubber bushings; they stretch, flex and compress. This makes your alignment to become off when you are cornering thus hindering your handling.

The best way to make your handling better is by replacing the bushings with polyurethane ones which are stiffer, durable and cheap.

The best thing about polyurethane bushings is that they don’t compress, flexor stretch; this helps in preventing the slightest changes in your vehicle’s alignment.

In conclusion, for a smoother ride, your Jeep Wrangler needs a few changes.

Who Worked on This?


Brian

Editor

A master of organization, Brian helps keep everything running smoothly for Your Jeep Guide.

No Jeep yet but we’re working on that!

Cory

Writer

Cory loves his XJ and frequently thrashes it through the hills. He’s constantly fixing something.


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