Front suspension height

[Liamray]

Just wondering if it is normal for the rear suspension to be higher that the front? My 2012 GCL 3.0crd is about 70mm lower in the front than the rear, the rear guard is about 120mm above the tyre, while the front guard is just 50mm above the tyre?
Springs and Shocks are all standard, so I don’t know why the front is lower, any help would be appreciated.

[FARWEST]

Yep...gap from tyre to guard is greater at rear than front...Drover actually put some measurements up on a thread on here somewhere...
Mine currently has standard suspension and the factory 'rake' is achieved by the two different ride heights.
Having said this...springs do 'sag' with age...is yours suffering from that ???...I dont know...but the gaps are different from the factory...all good there

[SouthernComfort]

Yes, the rear sits higher than the front. My 2013 has stock suspension with the rear at 125mm, front 78mm. Your front sounds like it's probably sagged a little.

[Jeeper6]

70mm is a reasonable rake, don't suppose you have a steel bull bar on it? It may even be time to replace the front springs as they can sag over time.

My last 2014 had a bull bar and bash plates but always sat pretty level, though it did also have an OME lift.
This 2015 has a steel ARB bar and a hefty 45kg winch...but it sits pretty level too, that said it would have to I suppose as it is air bag...

[drover]

Well the original height for the front from centre of hub to bottom of guard is stated as 489mm and for the rear 512mm, of course the front will sag as you throw on extra bits and they will drop with age ...................... These figures are what the lift on new suspension is based on, if your fronts are 40mm less then its time for an upgrade....... too low and things tend to get worn.

If your rear shocks are Nivomatts they should be within 2 mm of the height even when loaded, they may drop at first but once you have driven down the road they will adjust back up around the 510mm mark, hence the clunky sound that may come from them for a little while and as things age the front drop is more pronounced as the reat stays the same as the front sag away...

This is for spring wagon not air. 3lt diesel.

[Trailfirst]

There's lots online about "levelling" WK/WK2 by lifting the front - especially in the USA.

Here in Australia, Offroad Animal sells front end lifting plates that give about 3/4 inch lift at the front (I think its about 3/4 - dont quote me tho) https://offroadanimal.com.au/strut-t...gaAj3nEALw_wcB

And there's lots of stuff on ebay.

I actually have a couple of 2 inch lift spacers I may end up eventually fitting to our 2015 Limited - which are about an inch thick and are supposed to give 2 inches at the wheel.

My concern is that the rake evidently is to handle situations where you might have a big load onboard - which is gonna be mainly toward the back - so a vehicle that sits nice and level with 2 people up front and full fueltank might end up being really rear end low when loaded up.

I replaced the front shocks a few weeks ago but held off actually fitting my spacers even tho that was plan A (they go on top of the upper shock mount).

AND fwiw for anyone replacing the front shockies themselves - I did not simply yank the front short shafts right out of it but worked over / around them (axle housing separated and laid away tho) - but Ive realised since that's exactly what you need to do - they will just push / click back in - and it's gonna be MUCH easier than gettin the shocks out and in over the top of them (which LOOKED easy on youtube...).

[SouthernComfort]

....My concern is that the rake evidently is to handle situations where you might have a big load onboard - which is gonna be mainly toward the back - so a vehicle that sits nice and level with 2 people up front and full fueltank might end up being really rear end low when loaded up....

When considering the intentional rear-high rake, load factor has to be taken into account. For example, the stock suspension is designed to maintain a good stance when towing up to 2268kg, which would be about 220-230ish ball weight pulling the rear down to level out the stance. My car levels out perfectly front to back with that sort of towing load, although I don't carry more than really necessary in rear load area. Jeep suggests a WDH may (read, will) be necessary if you're towing heavier than 2268kg, thus pushing the excess weight forward to the front axle to maintain a level. Can't comment on air suspension etc. since I don't have it.