Why We Upgraded to Clayton 1.5″ Rear Coils (And the Danger of the “Quick Swap”)
After dialing in our shocks, it was time to address the stance and load support of the Gladiator. We decided to move away from the factory setup in favor of the Clayton 1.5″ Rear Coil Springs. While the performance increase was immediately noticeable, the installation process taught us a vital lesson about why “budget” shopping at big-box retailers can lead to dangerous mechanical failures.
Here is why we chose Clayton, and why you need more than just the springs to do this right.
1. Performance: Soft Where You Want It, Stiff Where You Need It
The engineering behind these coils is exactly what we were looking for in a dual-purpose adventure rig. Clayton has managed to find the “sweet spot” for the JT platform:
- Great Clearance: They provide the perfect amount of lift to level out the rear and accommodate larger tires without compromising the center of gravity.
- Progressive Feel: The ride quality is phenomenal. The springs feel soft and compliant over small road chatter and potholes, yet they remain stiff and supportive when you load up the bed or hit high-speed dips on the trail.
2. The Danger of the “Sway Bar Flip”
We initially ordered these through a large third-party retailer, Extreme Terrain. While their price point was attractive, they completely neglected to mention that a 1.5″ spring upgrade is not a standalone part.
If you install these springs without upgrading your supporting hardware, you risk a Sway Bar Flip. This happens because:
- Stock Links are Too Short: When the suspension reaches full “droop” (extension) on a trail, the short factory links pull the sway bar past its intended pivot point.
- The Result: The bar inverts or “flips” backward. This is a dangerous condition that can cause the sway bar to jam into your suspension components or, even worse, rip out your brake lines.
3. The Necessary “Supporting Cast”
To run the Clayton 1.5″ coils safely and correctly, you cannot just swap the springs. Based on our experience, you absolutely must add these to your list:
- 1.5″ Rear Sway Bar Links: These maintain the correct lift/link ratio, ensuring the sway bar sits at the proper angle and cannot invert during articulation.
- New Trackbar: Necessary to keep your rear axle centered under the frame after the height change.
Conclusion: We’ve Already Failed For You
The Clayton 1.5″ Rear Coils are an incredible upgrade, but the “deal” we found at a third-party site ended up being a headache because they didn’t provide the full technical picture.
Our Recommendation: Save yourself the trouble and order everything directly from Clayton. Buying the springs, trackbar, and links as a complete package ensures you have a safe, trail-ready setup from mile one.
Tech Tip: Don’t let a “great price” on a single part compromise the safety of your rig. Always check the required link lengths for any lift height change!