We wanted a JK that would be stealthy and work well on- and off-road. In the last issue, we detailed the installation of front and rear Expedition One bumpers and a Warn winch on our 2011 Sahara Tan JK Rubicon two-door. This month, with the help of Poly Performance’s JK Synergy long-arm suspension and other parts, we turn the JK into Sleeper, our stock-looking Wrangler that works.
While the Synergy suspension is the big news here, Sleeper wouldn’t work without the other parts we installed. The new Fox shock absorbers are stunningly good. Currie’s heavy-duty JK tie rod and drag link are outstanding, as are the Motive Gear 5.13 gears and Ten Factory hardened axles. Pure Jeep is now offering a JK evap canister relocating kit and ours fits fine. In the April 2011 issue of 4WD&SU, we detailed Dynatrac’s ProRock 44 and Pro Steer ball joints that address the weak OE frontend of the JK Wrangler. Spidertrax 1.5-inch wheel spacers allow us to run the OE Jeep Rubicon alloy wheels, helping Sleeper look stock. AEV’s ProCal programmer lets us turn off the TPMS and program tire size and gear ratio just a few of the things it does.
Poly Performance supplies excellent, detailed instructions for the installation of its JK Synergy long-arm suspension system. Read the instructions carefully and follow every step. Please do not expect this feature to be detailed enough. When installing this suspension system, read the instructions.
Sleeper looks OE, but doesn’t perform that way. Look for more next month.
Thomas at Larry H. Miller...
Thomas at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge sent us a photo of our Sahara Tan 2011 Wrangler after it was unloaded from the transporter.
The Jeep JK Stage 4 Synergy...
The Jeep JK Stage 4 Synergy long-arm suspension system by Poly Performance was engineered from the ground up to allow the JK Wrangler to work better than the sum of its parts. It includes everything needed, including front track bar relocation bracket, drag link flip kit, rear track bar relocation bracket, and upper and lower long control arms that are adjustable while on the vehicle. Once you remove the stock frame bracketry from the JK and drill a few holes, the Synergy system is completely bolt-on. We chose to go with 3 inches of lift and the progressively wound coil springs looked too long out of the box. They’re not. Synergy coils are designed so they stay seated, even at full axle droop.
Control arms incorporate real...
Control arms incorporate real Currie Enterprises Johnny Joints for paramount performance and durability. The Synergy Suspension double adjuster sleeve and pinch bolt assembly allows for easy adjustment of control arms without removal from the vehicle.
OEM-style Clevite rubber bushings...
OEM-style Clevite rubber bushings are on the other end of the control arm assemblies for extended permanence and minimized vibration. Clevite bushings don’t make noise like urethane bushings do.
Fox 2.0 Factory Performance...
Fox 2.0 Factory Performance Series shocks supply legendary Fox performance in an affordable, bolt-on package. These all-new shocks feature deflective disc technology and a high flow, internal-floating piston that creates a perfect racing oil/air separation to provide fade-free damping performance affording precise handling, control, and stability. The 6061-T6 one-piece body and billet rod end, stout 5/8-inch shaft, and anodized components ensure the 2.0 Factory Performance Series unsurpassed durability. All shocks are performance tuned for specific applications using deflective disc technology. Shocks can be disassembled and revalved for your specific needs.
Remote reservoir shocks allow...
Remote reservoir shocks allow for more shock travel in a shorter overall package. The extra oil volume helps the shocks run cooler for performance that is even more consistent. The larger gas chamber allows for more consistent gas/spring force through the entire range of travel. We chose to use the reservoir shocks on Sleeper, as their shorter bodies allow 1 1/8-inch more uptravel. For both monotube and remote reservoir shocks, the aluminum shock bodies are a key attribute. Aluminum offers cooler operating temperatures and a body that will never rust. The machined body and eyelet look like they belong on a hot rod. One of the most important features is the tuning. Every application is uniquely tuned to maximize handling and ride quality. Although the tuning strategy primarily considers highway performance, Fox also tunes for exceptional off-road performance. Besides normal street loops, their test course includes a series of dirt roads and trails in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. As already mentioned, the
Motive Gear supplied our 5.13...
Motive Gear supplied our 5.13 JK Rubicon 44 gears, installation kits, and Ten Factory hardened axles.
Not all axles are created...
Not all axles are created equal. Quality Ten Factory front Jeep JK 44 hardened axle shafts are beefy and strong. Ten Factory includes a 10-year free replacement warranty with all their axle shafts. Note that the Ten Factory axles use the large OE Jeep JK Spicer 5004891 U-joints that have improved seals and are much stronger than earlier, smaller 5-760X joints. Some say that smaller joints are stronger because there’s less leverage on the cross. They’re mistaken. Make sure the axles you purchase use the larger, OE 5004891 JK U-joints. West Coast Differentials stocks the factory U-joints and had them to us next day.
The gas tank isn’t hard to...
The gas tank isn’t hard to remove after most of the gas is run out of it. Once our tank was removed, John Williams started cutting the JK’s OE control arm brackets off. It’s wise to cut almost to the frame, then grind the rest of the bracket away, being careful not to cut through the frame rail.
A little more grinding on...
A little more grinding on the bottom of the frame and this is ready for paint.
It’s important to read the...
It’s important to read the instructions completely before commencing the job of cutting off bracketry. For instance, the front Synergy bracket uses these two layers of the stock bracketry for placement. It would be bad to cut all bracketry off, read the instructions afterward and find that you needed these two layers that are now in the junk steel box.
Check the instructions, measure...
Check the instructions, measure twice, and drill once. The Synergy Suspension control arm brackets require a few holes to be drilled in the frame.
Both upper and lower control...
Both upper and lower control arm mounts are integrated in each Synergy Suspension frame bracket. They’re strong, innovative, and are bolt-on once the prep work is completed.
The brackets utilize OE frame...
The brackets utilize OE frame holes in most cases, except where holes were drilled per the instructions. Nut plates are easily held in place using tabs while bolts are tightened.
Here’s the front control arm...
Here’s the front control arm frame bracket in place with arms attached. They’re clean, simple, strong, bolt-on and very nice.