TJers To JKer's

[SteveT]

Basically looking for some sensible advice from folk's whom have gone from a TJ to a JK, short & long W/B models.............. Asking about comfort/ride etc both on/off road......... Had a bad day the other day in my stock 04 TJ (had over a year now), knew about every crack in the road......
I have had spinal fusion done and had to give away a lot of activities as well (DAMN!!), but really want/need my 4wding........
Have thought of better bolstered seating already but not that cheap but really wanting ride comfort ideas etc, especially if you have had the same type/similar health issue and how you dealt with it .............
You can pm me a reply if you do not want to............. I am a RN so some medical talk worry me but some may not care for such.............
Thank's ahead ................... Stephen T.
P.S. Keeping the TJ still an option............

[jzp]

Jk is a much more refined ride. Long wheel base might help with reducing the 'choppiness' of the ride too. Any modifications could compromise the ride of any car and make it worse.

I haven't had the back problems you've had, by a long shot. However the seating in both the TJ and the JK isn't the greatest. Would recommend better bolstered seating either way.

You should test drive a LWB JK....

[Banshee]

I have bulging L4/5, L5/S1. Had a TJ, now have a JKU.

When I got it, it already had a 2" lift (Old Man Emu), but was quite harsh to me. Steering was twitchy & prone to shimmy over bumps. Tried adjustable control arms & the fixed the shimmy, but it was still harsh. Switched to the AEV drop brackets & no twitch, but more importantly, it is much smoother! Highly recommended. Now running IKON springs and Fox shocks, also much smoother than the OME. Probably something better out there, but these are better for now than what it had.

Seats aren't the greatest, one day will get them reupholstered.

[motas]

I don't have any experience with a bad back but what tyre pressures and springs are you running? I would be trying the lower end of safe tyre pressures and some soft springs first, no more than 2" lift on stock arms either. Past that I'd be getting some good suspension seats which are much better off road than normal seats.

Also it is illegal but might help off road. I have a harness and the shoulder straps tend to hold me down in the seat over bumps and stop me bouncing around. Though the force pushing down constantly could cause more problems than they fix.

[SteveT]

Originally Posted by jzp

Jk is a much more refined ride. Long wheel base might help with reducing the 'choppiness' of the ride too. Any modifications could compromise the ride of any car and make it worse.

I haven't had the back problems you've had, by a long shot. However the seating in both the TJ and the JK isn't the greatest. Would recommend better bolstered seating either way.

You should test drive a LWB JK....

Planning a LWB drive shortly....... Still pricey for me presently but the stealerships do not need to know everything as they say................ Have lost 11/12 K's but carried little body fat anyway so will need a lot of re-bolstering to fill in some extra space.....LOL.

[SteveT]

Originally Posted by Banshee

I have bulging L4/5, L5/S1. Had a TJ, now have a JKU.

When I got it, it already had a 2" lift (Old Man Emu), but was quite harsh to me. Steering was twitchy & prone to shimmy over bumps. Tried adjustable control arms & the fixed the shimmy, but it was still harsh. Switched to the AEV drop brackets & no twitch, but more importantly, it is much smoother! Highly recommended. Now running IKON springs and Fox shocks, also much smoother than the OME. Probably something better out there, but these are better for now than what it had.

Seats aren't the greatest, one day will get them reupholstered.

Thank's Banshee.............. The type of response looking/hoping for..... A little ++ can go a long long way........
P.S. Take great care with what you have now........... That's how I sort of started out...............

[SteveT]

Originally Posted by motas

I don't have any experience with a bad back but what tyre pressures and springs are you running? I would be trying the lower end of safe tyre pressures and some soft springs first, no more than 2" lift on stock arms either. Past that I'd be getting some good suspension seats which are much better off road than normal seats.

Also it is illegal but might help off road. I have a harness and the shoulder straps tend to hold me down in the seat over bumps and stop me bouncing around. Though the force pushing down constantly could cause more problems than they fix.

Running type pressure at 28lbs presently & standard springs but that is for grip as well ( Nexem has to be the worst wet weather rubber out there.......But that's another page I suppose..........)