How Can I Make My Jeep Wrangler Ride Smoother?
by Christopher Michael
The Jeep Wrangler is a vehicle that has remained virtually unchanged for decades. Its simple styling, rugged performance standards and it's versatility for use as an open air vehicle has attracted many people. But after buying a Wrangler, some find the ride to be too rough. The shock absorber assemblies are set more rigid to withstand impact, and the body of the vehicle sits high off the ground so small bumps on the road are felt more dramatically in the cabin. If you have experienced this problem, there are some things you can do to give your Wrangler a smoother ride.
Step 1
Replace the shock dampeners and coil over springs with lower high-performance shocks and springs. Stock Wrangler shocks are designed to be stiff for off-road handling, so replace them with a road-friendly option. Lowering the vehicle lessens the translation of impact from the wheels to the cabin.
Step 2
Replace the tires with lower profile tires. Wrangler tires are designed for traction, which means a firmer grip on the road surface. Replace them with shorter commuter tires designed for the highway to generate less friction and also lower the height of the vehicle.
Step 3
Install a camber kit to reduce the impact of road surface imperfections. Once the vehicle is lowered, the wheels will be at a different angle to the surface of the road causing the right and left sides of the Wrangler work against each other. The camber kit will straighten the track of the tires and reduce the impact of bumps in the cabin.
Step 4
Bring the car to a professional to get the wheels aligned. When the angle of the wheels are out of balance the ride gets bumpier.
Step 5
Shift at lower speeds and make each shift smoother. The Jeep Wrangler comes with a high-torque engine capable of jumping into each gear aggressively, which can make the ride choppy.
Step 6
Add weight to the vehicle. Removing the doors and roof or using ones made of canvas lessens the weight of the vehicle, causing it to more to road bumps. Reduce this movement by Installing a hardtop roof and doors that are full steel.
References
- "Auto Repair for Dummies"; Deanna Sclar; 1999
- Sickcar.com; What is a Camber and How do I Correct It?
Writer Bio
Christopher Michael began writing in 2010 for Break.com. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Writing sports and travel articles helps support his professional baseball career, which has taken him to 49 states, five continents and four oceans.
