Suspension for driving faster than I should?

[wiresix]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on an Econo Lift, bump stops, and a set of 245/75/16 Duratracs. However, I'm hoping for a bit of advice before I make the decision final.

I know the liberty isn't exactly prerunner material, but it's what I have, and I love the thing as a DD. When I off road with my buddies, they all drive like they're running trophy trucks instead of Cherokees. It's hard to keep up when it doesn't even feel like I have bump stops (I do). The ride is just BRUTAL when compared to my friends stock FJ. We run flatter trails at 60+mph...

I guess what I'm asking is this:

1. Are the ironman shocks good for this sort of driving?
2. Should I get OME instead?
3. Has anyone on the forum tried hydraulic bump stops on their KJ?
4. Or should I just give up all together, and buy a RZR?

Also, I understand and accept the risks of driving fast. Please don't be concerned about my safety. This is the kind of stuff I've done for fun since I was a kid.

 

[tommudd]

If you're going to be racing out through the desert go with the adjustable coilovers that JBA has. I think they would do a better job for you.
Of course anything is going to be 25 times better than stock suspension and nothing is going to drive as well as a full on/ pro built trophy truck at those speeds. You're asking the suspension to do more than what it was designed to do

 

[Snail Farmer]

On just regular gravel roads with my ironman suspension I'll do 70-80 with no effort.. the jeep feels stable

 

[wheeee32]

+2 on the JBA's. With that kind of abuse I see other parts breaking long before the JBA's give out.

 

[dude1116]

Something tells me that with a normal lift you'll be able to keep up with Cherokees at high speeds. Being that they are solid up front and we're independent. Would coilovers be better? Duh! But if you're on a budget...

As a side note, dessert runners use independent suspension. It reacts faster and is much more stable than SFA. Just flexes less.

 

[tommudd]

+2 on the JBA's. With that kind of abuse I see other parts breaking long before the JBA's give out.

Yes I can see another KJ going to that great scrap yard in the sky

 

[tjkj2002]

As a side note, dessert runners use independent suspension. It reacts faster and is much more stable than SFA. Just flexes less.

Yeah and there shocks alone run over $40k(not including setup or coils).

Monster Energy: Ballistic BJ Baldwin Recoil 2 - Unleashed in Ensenada, Mexico - YouTube

 

[wiresix]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll probably just go with the econo lift. It's not like I'm jumping the thing. (not intentionally), and in a year or so after I've read a few books on suspension design, I might fab up something a little more suited to what I want out of it. I've always wanted to design and build a dual sport, so I think modifying an existing suspension is a good way to get my feet wet.

 

[dude1116]

Yeah and there shocks alone run over $40k(not including setup or coils).

Monster Energy: Ballistic BJ Baldwin Recoil 2 - Unleashed in Ensenada, Mexico - YouTube

I'd love to ride in one of those. :gr_grin:

 

[CzarKJ]

Yeah and there shocks alone run over $40k(not including setup or coils).

Monster Energy: Ballistic BJ Baldwin Recoil 2 - Unleashed in Ensenada, Mexico - YouTube

I wonder if the passenger seat is just a toilet with seat belts.....

 

[Bmxer524]

The biggest concern I would have is uca contact with big drops. Normally it's controlled at low speeds when you're crawling, but when you're at high speeds....