Topic: Softening the ride on my YJ

[Clip]

I live in Texas and have a ’94 YJ that I flat tow down to Padre Island National Seashore to fish the surf.  There is 62 miles of beach accessible only by 4wd. My jeep is not lifted and I run 235x75x15 tires. I’ve added an Aussie locker to the front. I don’t have any problems driving in soft sand. My problem is driving in the hard packed sand. I have a combination rod rack and cooler holder in the front and if I hit even relatively small bumps in the hard packed sand at speeds over 15 mph my jeep hobby horses throwing the cooler and rods into the air. I haven’t needed to lower my tire pressure in the soft sand but I lower the tire pressure to 15# to soften the ride in the packed sand so I can go 20 mph max. Without the rod/cooler holder sticking out the front I can go 25 to 30. TJ’s don’t seem to have this severe a problem. The only other YJ I’ve seen keeps everything within the tub area and, if anything, his ride seems to be a little worse than mine.

I’ve changed my shocks and noticed an improvement on the highway but not on the beach. I intend to remove the rear track bar and see it that helps. Would removing the front track bar help?  Virtually all my driving on the beach is straight line.  I can always replace the front track bar with a removable track bar. I’ve also thought of moving the front shackles from the front of the springs to the rear.

nuff said,
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[neale_rs]

If you are towing to where you wheel it, you will be fine taking off both track bars and the sway bar.  If you drive much on-road then you may consider getting a disconnectable front track bar and quick disconnects for the sway bar.

[Jeffy]

I'd defiantly remove the rear trackbar.  It will make a 15% difference in ride.  The front is more of a personal choice.  For me, I removed mine.  It makes around 35% difference in ride.  Most of what you feel is front the front.  Removing the front can also give you more bumpsteer BUT since you're on stock leafs, it shouldn't be anything to worry about.  I wouldn't spend money on an adjustable track bar.  Most people run without them.  Now you'll probably want to get disconnects for the swaybars.  It doesn't take much to lose traction if one tire lifts and dips which can leave you stuck.

[Clip]

Thanks for the info. I'll remove the rear trackbar and get swaybar disconnects. I may loosen one end of the front trackbar and tie it out of the way and drive it on the highway. I may want to replace the connecting bolt with a clevis pin or, just get rid of the trackbar altogether. My jeep isn't my daily driver, but most of my driving is not off road. I like to tool around with my upper doors and side windows off and the rear window rolled up. I feel so kewl.