Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Suspension Recommendations

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Erikson2992

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Mar 26, 2025
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Los Angeles, CA
So I’ve been with my 2dr Rubicon since 2015. Got it used with what i think is the AEV 2.5in lift kit, i think the shocks are Bilstein 5200s (label is faded), and not too sure about the springs. I Feel like it’s due for A new suspension. it’s always felt very stiff and since I don’t ever buy big tires its always looked a little weird that high up with smaller tires. I don’t do any extreme rock crawling so what would you guys recommend if I wanted to drop it maybe 1” as well as try to get a smoother ride? Not trying to cheap out but also don’t want to spend too much.

Current tires I have are 33s if that helps
 
You can always go back to the factory suspension, but I'm sure you don't have the parts when the original swap was done.
The Rubicon comes with a different spring than the Sport or Sahara models, I've been told, which gives it a little more lift than either of those. Park a Rubicon next to a Sahara, and you'll see about an inch or so of height difference.
I also think a 33 will fit under a Rubi with a stock suspension- there are plenty of Rubi owners here that could attest to that.
 
The AEV 2.5" lift is generally considered to be a nice-riding option, so I wonder if you have other issues at hand (overly stiff shocks for example). One thing I've noticed is that many people don't really understand how a 2-door Jeep drives (from a suspension standpoint), either because they're used to 4-door Jeeps, or something with a longer wheelbase. Stock vs stock, the 2-door JK ride is perceptibly rougher than a stock 4-door. I say perceptibly because the shorter wheelbase makes it feel like you're dipping/bouncing through the road undulations.
 
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pc1p said:
The AEV 2.5" lift is generally considered to be a nice-riding option, so I wonder if you have other issues at hand (overly stiff shocks for example). One thing I've noticed is that many people don't really understand how a 2-door Jeep drives (from a suspension standpoint), either because they're used to 4-door Jeeps, or something with a longer wheelbase. Stock vs stock, the 2-door JK ride is perceptibly rougher than a stock 4-door. I say perceptibly because the shorter wheelbase makes it feel like you're dipping/bouncing through the
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pc1p said:
The AEV 2.5" lift is generally considered to be a nice-riding option, so I wonder if you have other issues at hand (overly stiff shocks for example). One thing I've noticed is that many people don't really understand how a 2-door Jeep drives (from a suspension standpoint), either because they're used to 4-door Jeeps, or something with a longer wheelbase. Stock vs stock, the 2-door JK ride is perceptibly rougher than a stock 4-door. I say perceptibly because the shorter wheelbase makes it feel like you're dipping/bouncing through the road undulations.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess also I don’t have other heavy mods, like bumpers maybe that’s it? I was reading an old post somewhere saying that AEV tunes their suspension with some of their bumpers and gear installed on the jeeps. I thinking of just ordering replacement shocks from AEV I kinda got use to the ride already ha
 
Yeah, I have the AEV 2.5 and I have their front bumper w/a warn winch and the rear bumper & tire carrier. As outfitted, it was a lot smoother than the stock 2dr I had with Rubi springs. I new set of shocks may help, but I agree the suspension seems to like a little heft on the 2dr.
 
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pc1p said:
The AEV 2.5" lift is generally considered to be a nice-riding option, so I wonder if you have other issues at hand (overly stiff shocks for example). One thing I've noticed is that many people don't really understand how a 2-door Jeep drives (from a suspension standpoint), either because they're used to 4-door Jeeps, or something with a longer wheelbase. Stock vs stock, the 2-door JK ride is perceptibly rougher than a stock 4-door. I say perceptibly because the shorter wheelbase makes it feel like you're dipping/bouncing through the road undulations.
Click to expand...

Agree with this... Wheelbase goes a long way (no pun intended - or maybe it was 😂)
 
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Erikson2992 said:
Yeah just measured my lift this morning and I’m at 3” with that 2.5” lift. I might just replace the shocks directly from aev.
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Changing the shocks may alter your lift by a fraction of an inch, but what is your priority? Do you want to drop the JKU so it doesn't look so goofy that high off the 33s, or do you want to achieve a smoother ride?
Just my opinion, but going back to a stock suspension height with a new set of shocks would probably give you the best of both worlds.
 
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