Jeep wrangler unlimited people, quick question about bumpstops/airbags

[Autism Family Travels]

Ok, I am setting up my suspension like my last rig. It works really well for us. I am just wondering now aobut installing airlift 1000 plus either sumo or timbren bumpstops. I think the sumos would be a better choice for us, the timbrens are more for weight than "bumpstopping".

thoughts? I want the airbags for towing our trailers.

 

[Trail_pilot]

Not a JK guy but I would go with timbren bumpstops. I warranty way to many airlift bags for me to recommend them. I personally went with a teraflex speed bump in my LJ because I have more lift than most of the other options would deal with, and I do more crawling than camping with the jeep.

 

[LostWoods]

Bump stops are not load-bearing. They only exist to prevent your suspension from bottoming out and while Timbren is pretty much the gold standard, they aren't intended to be used on the regular. Even something like air bumps that are designed to be used regularly aren't intended to make up for poor suspension setups - they're intended to level out the exceptional large bumps on trail that would otherwise be aggressive using a rubber bump stop.

If you are worried about weight, you either need airbags or stiffer springs. The payload of a Jeep is not great so setting the Jeep up with stiff springs as if it drives around at GVWR all the time should not be too harsh for a daily driver. If you're running around much higher than that, it's time to look into a larger vehicle.

I personally avoid airbags off road because one good unexpected drop is all it can take to pop one and leave you in a bad spot on trail. They make sense for a road truck that can vary its load by 1,000-1,500lbs but not on a Jeep.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

I ran airbags on my last jk for 4 years. Only needed them when I was towing our pop up. I am asking about the timbrens since I put them on my suburban to take the weight of the plow. Which they did very nicely. I don't want stiffer springs since I drive unloaded or lightly loaded alot and my Jeep rides excellent. But when I do off road I do find the bumpstops are not adequate. So in reality, timbren is not to take extra weight?

 

[Billiebob]

the timbrens are more for weight than "bumpstopping".

in reality, timbren is not to take extra weight?

there ya go

only took 4 posts to change yer mind

 

[MOAK]

Bump stops are not load-bearing. They only exist to prevent your suspension from bottoming out and while Timbren is pretty much the gold standard, they aren't intended to be used on the regular. Even something like air bumps that are designed to be used regularly aren't intended to make up for poor suspension setups - they're intended to level out the exceptional large bumps on trail that would otherwise be aggressive using a rubber bump stop.

If you are worried about weight, you either need airbags or stiffer springs. The payload of a Jeep is not great so setting the Jeep up with stiff springs as if it drives around at GVWR all the time should not be too harsh for a daily driver. If you're running around much higher than that, it's time to look into a larger vehicle.

I personally avoid airbags off road because one good unexpected drop is all it can take to pop one and leave you in a bad spot on trail. They make sense for a road truck that can vary its load by 1,000-1,500lbs but not on a Jeep.

I can vouch for that. We ran “ heavy” OME springs on the rear of our TJ, with “mediums” up front. The empty ride was harsher than stock but not all that bad. Kinda like driving a big truck bobtail. After many years of trying to modify our Rubicon for the long heavy haul, we threw in the towel and stepped up to a vehicle with a bit over 1/2 ton capacity and over 7,000 lbs towing capacity. Airbags? On an 18 wheeler there isn’t articulation of the suspension, I never experienced any failures of the bag. Compressor and airline failures? Once maybe In 30 years driving. But, as we all know our vehicles articulate, a lot. My biggest concern with airbags is how they are guided back into the seat after extreme articulation.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

there ya go

only took 4 posts to change yer mind

Is this an answer? Becuase I posed the question.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Bump stops are not load-bearing. They only exist to prevent your suspension from bottoming out and while Timbren is pretty much the gold standard, they aren't intended to be used on the regular. Even something like air bumps that are designed to be used regularly aren't intended to make up for poor suspension setups - they're intended to level out the exceptional large bumps on trail that would otherwise be aggressive using a rubber bump stop.

If you are worried about weight, you either need airbags or stiffer springs. The payload of a Jeep is not great so setting the Jeep up with stiff springs as if it drives around at GVWR all the time should not be too harsh for a daily driver. If you're running around much higher than that, it's time to look into a larger vehicle.

I personally avoid airbags off road because one good unexpected drop is all it can take to pop one and leave you in a bad spot on trail. They make sense for a road truck that can vary its load by 1,000-1,500lbs but not on a Jeep.

I won't be hard core offloading with my trailer. And, therefore won't leave me in a bad spot on the trail.

 

[MOAK]

I won't be hard core offloading with my trailer. And, therefore won't leave me in a bad spot on the trail.

If that’s the case, then airbags will last on you vehicle 500-600 thousand miles or more.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Our Active Off-Road Bumpstops are bumpstops, they exist to take a hit and keep your rig from bottoming out. We also have SES (suspension enhancement system) these mount in the same place as bumpstops mount but are meant to hold weight, keep your rig from saging or squatting!

I hope this helps. It looks like some other members helped out, too!

Let us know if you have any questions. Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy!

Thanks. I had the ses on my suburban to take the weight of the plow.