Best Suspension Upgrades for Jeep JK: Style & Functionality

The Jeep JK is one of the most popular Jeeps to date with more than two million vehicles being produced from 2006-2018, and it never even had any major revisions. While these are some of the best and most highly customizable Jeeps ever made, there's always room for improvement, especially when it comes to taking your Wrangler off-road. Whether you have a Jeep JK Sport, Sahara, or even the Rubicon, it might be time for an upgrade, and we're here to help you through the process from start to finish.

The Most Important Factor to Consider Before Upgrading Your Jeep Wrangler JK Suspension: Location

You need to consider several factors before you upgrade your Jeep’s suspension, but the most important one is where you plan on driving. City driving and off-roading are both viable in your Jeep Wrangler JK, but the last thing you want is mud terrain tires getting torn up by concrete and giving you the worst ride quality imaginable. For city driving, you're better off keeping your ride height low and focusing on upgrading your shocks and struts to handle driving on the pavement. This will also keep your handling balanced and reduce the risk of tipping. Tighter suspension parts are also ideal for city driving to help with handling. On the other hand, off-road Jeeps may need an extra few inches of ground clearance and suspension upgrades that can handle bigger wheels and tires. Off-road suspensions should also have strong joints and bearings to ensure that the suspension can handle the beating that off-roading delivers.

The Three Best Suspension Upgrades to Start Your Jeep JK Build

There are limitless options when it comes to upgrading your Jeep Wrangler JK’s suspension, and while that's great, how is anyone supposed to know where to start? For this reason, we take you through the three best suspension upgrades you can start your build with.

Lift Kits

When you plan on upgrading your Jeep Wrangler JK suspension think of a lift kit as the foundation of your build. Plus, it's one of the first places that most Jeep enthusiasts start, and for good reason – it's definitely one of the best suspension upgrades available in terms of performance and value for your money. If you plan on off-roading, for example, a lift kit is the best place to start because it will determine how much ground clearance you'll have, what kinds of wheels and tires you can choose, and everything in between. That said, the best lift kit will come down to where you plan on driving. If it's just for style and you do most of your driving in the city, a 1-2.5-inch lift kit is perfect and you can add some larger wheels and 35-inch tires to take your style to the next level. On the other hand, if you want to turn your Jeep JK into an off-road monster you’re better off going with something that gives you more clearance and can help you support bigger wheels and tires. In these cases, something in the “2.5-3.75-inch rangeis best – it's enough lift to help you clear rocks and uneven terrain, but not too much height to increase the risk of tipping.

Shocks and Struts

Want to improve your Jeep Wrangler JK’s performance without adding any lift? Or perhaps you have a Rubicon that's already compatible with the wheels and tires you've been eyeing? If so, upgrading your shocks and struts might be exactly what you need and Mammoth Monotube Trail Series Front and Rear Shocks are a great place to start. Whether you have a 1.5-2-inch lift kit or the stock suspension of the Wrangler Sport, these shocks will fit like a glove. Shocks and struts are also affordable upgrades to consider if you don't want to replace most of your stock suspension or lift your Jeep more than three or four inches over the years. Plus, you'll feel the difference right away when you replace the front and rear shocks.

Tie Rods, Ends, and Ball Joints

Everyone is quick to jump on a new lift kit or bigger wheels and tires, but what about the supporting cast? We know it's not super fun shopping for tie rods, ends, and ball joints, but if you plan on off-roading or adding bigger wheels and tires, these suspension parts are essential. Tie rods connect your steering rack to the wheels, which is what lets you steer, so you'll want to upgrade to thicker and stronger tie rods that can handle impact from off-roading if you plan on hitting the trails in your Wrangler JK. In some cases, you'll also want to replace the tie rod ends, which are joints at the end of the tie rod. While small, they play a big role in steering and upgrading them will improve handling and stability.

Last but not least, ball joints are some of the most important suspension upgrades for the Wrangler JK you can make. For example, Teraflex Heavy Duty Ball Joints are made with premium metals and heat treated to prevent suspension wear and handle the increase in force that often comes with off-roading.

Upgrade Your Jeep Wrangler JK Suspension Today!

Your Jeep Wrangler JK makes a statement from the factory with a sturdy suspension system built for off-roading, but it doesn't last forever. Whether you’re riding on springs from 2008 and need a replacement or want to upgrade your suspension to handle an even bigger lift kit, our sales techs will point you in the right direction. Order online for fast and easy shipping on all of our Jeep Wrangler JK suspension parts and accessories.