Jeep Wrangler vehicles are designed for both on- and off-road driving. The manufacturer raised the height of some models, but it doesn’t always provide enough ground clearance for rough terrain. There are ways to lower your Jeep Wrangler to provide better traction on challenging trails. For example, new lowering springs can be installed on the suspension, cutting the existing springs, or installing a specialized vehicle lowering kit. There is no denying that lowering a car’s ride height can improve its handling. As in most cars, lowering a Wrangler also comes with other advantages like increased traction, reduced NVH, and improved driving experience. Lowering your Wrangler’s ride height will affect its geometry, handling, and suspension alignment. Only a certain height can be lowered.
Problems with inappropriately lowered Jeep Wranglers
Modifying your car can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how well you perform the task. Watch out for the following problems:
1) Improper Suspension Alignment
Want to know if your vehicle has a negative camber? The answer is simple—it should have negative camber of approximately 0.75 degrees per inch that it can lower. This is an important consideration when selecting new tires and wheels for your Wrangler. This will effectively reduce the adverse effects of rolling over, but it can also increase tire wear and affect steering. There are ways to correct negative camber problems, especially when the new ride height isn’t too low. If not, then you can get the right alignment by choosing coil overs with camber plates or getting new camber plates.
2) Inaccurate Roll Center and Center of Gravity
With an RWD, the COG and rear roll center are important to adjust so that the vehicle can perform efficiently. If these positions are not set precisely, the vehicle may make it difficult to control at higher speeds and have trouble maintaining traction while cornering.
In some cases, a roll center adjustment could solve any bump steer or camber issues and correct lowered Wrangler roll center issues. These kits will help align the suspension components of your vehicle with perfect alignment. Easy to install and upgrade your Wrangler Unlimited 1500 for better handling.
3) Inaccurate Drivetrain Angle
Whether you have the stock axles or the ones from a Jeep TJ or YJ, once you lower your vehicle too low or incorrectly. It can cause binding, wheel hopping, and quicker drivetrain wearing. While lowering the Wrangler, it is important to check your alignment each time you do it. Once you lower the Jeep too low or incorrectly, drivetrain binding and wheel hopping can occur. This can lead to more wear on your drivetrain, increased vibration levels, and decreased vehicle range due to increased drivetrain wear and increase fuel consumption.
Related Post: Learn How to Prepare Jeel Wrangler for Camping
Methods to lower your Jeep Wrangler
Most mechanics recommend following five different ways to reduce the ride height of your Jeep Wrangler:
1) Use short springs
If you’ve noticed your Jeep Wrangler’s spring starting to get weak or worn out, it’s probably time to replace the old one. The spring allows for your vehicle to remain at its set height after you drive and can even help control movement during driving, but it might not be up for the task anymore. Replacing the separate coil springs is one of the easiest ways to lower your Jeep, but here are some other options if you want something quick and easy as well.
Depending on your preference, you can either:
Shorten your spring by purchasing a new one
We believe that there is nothing more exhilarating than driving around in your Wrangler. The aftermarket springs you need to modify your Jeep’s suspension can easily be found in several auto-part stores or suppliers. Online as well as physical retail stores are included in this category. If you are replacing the spring with a good quality one, then the coil spring kits will be very helpful to reduce the resonance at highway speeds.
Set the spring length
The original spring can be adjusted if it has not worn down yet or you don’t want to spend money on a new one. Depending on the spring type in your Wrangler, you can do it in a few different ways. You can cut off some length from the old one with a hand saw and slide a shorter new spring in, ensuring that it sits properly. Or if your springs are held by bolts, you may be able to loosen them and slide in a shorter coil for an even higher ride height.
2) Modify the Track Bar and Control Arm
Your Wrangler’s suspension relies on coil springs to run over potholes, bumps, and jolts. Your Wrangler’s spring suspension system relies on track bars to keep your axles from moving from side to side. If your car has an adjustable track bar, move it down using a small wrench. A non-adjustable one needs to be replaced with one that is shorter if it is not adjustable. Your unit’s control arms also need to be replaced.
3) Use a lowering kit
If you’re tired of adjusting your Jeep Wrangler suspension, you can get a replacement. A lowering kit is an ideal product to do the job since it already has everything needed to lower your vehicle safely and correctly. These are easy to install in no time and are made from premium quality materials. They come with all the components needed to properly lower your Jeep Wrangler so that it sits correctly on the ground.
Despite this, the chances of making a mistake or purchasing an incompatible part will be virtually eliminated. Most (sometimes all) of these kits contain the following parts:
- Springs (leaf or coil)
- Brackets
- Arms
- Shocks
- Stabilizing bars
This kit includes everything you need to lower your vehicle, and it’s available in different kits so you can choose the one that matches your budget. If this is your first time installing a Jeep Wrangler lowering kit, then we recommend you have an experienced mechanic do it for you. This is a very good thing because you want to make sure the measurements are right and there are no problems with alignment afterward.
For immediate improvement in the handling of your ride, try the Belltech 614 Lowering Kit. This product combines all of the necessary components for an alignment, dropdown setup, and installation into one convenient package. It contains everything you would need to lower your vehicle and includes Nitro Drop or Street Performance kits, depending on what type of drivetrain you currently have in your car.
4) Invest in an air suspension system
Unleash the full potential of your Wrangler with an Air Suspension System. By installing airbags in the front and rear, you’ll be able to adjust your ride height from -2 inches up to 2 inches as needed. Lift it when driving on difficult terrain or carrying heavy cargo when on smooth surfaces. The Air Suspension System is easy to install and allows for customized settings so you can get the best possible performance out of your Jeep!
Coil Springs
Coil spring suspensions are easy to install, and your car would be ready for another ride quickly. Just remove your car’s coil springs from your vehicle, replace them with an airbag unit, and install an air compressor, air lines, an air reservoir tank, and an activation switch.
Leaf springs
When your Jeep Wrangler has leaf springs instead of coil springs, you need to let a professional fabricator do the job. This means replacing leaf springs with Bilstein shocks’ four-link systems. This makes your Jeep much safer, more comfortable, and better performing
5) Add a hydraulic system
Hydraulic suspension systems are far more expensive than air suspensions and not as durable, but they do allow you to change your Wrangler’s ride height. With a hydraulic system, you can adjust your Wrangler’s ride height accordingly, giving you the wheelbase length and ground clearance you need when towing, getting in and out of tight spots, or just going over rough terrain. Plus, with time, as the fluid pressure in your suspension increases due to increased loads or tire inflation pressure, your vehicle will respond naturally to the road conditions at hand.
This option allows you to lift your car with the press of a button—as long as it has air suspension. If you want to replace the shocks on your vehicle, hydraulic dampers are a good choice. They are available in four different types and can help solve a variety of issues—like ride height and spring preload. You can also use them to reduce wear and tear on your suspension components during extremely heavy loads, or when going up or down a hill for long periods.
Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.
