Do you experience back pain every time you go for a drive in your Jeep Wrangler? If so, it may be time to consider replacing your rear springs. In this article, we will compare the JK Wrangler 60 springs to the 56 springs, to help you determine the best option for your vehicle.
How do these two springs differ? When comparing the 60 and 56 springs, we can identify differences in their spring rate, lift, off-road capability, handling characteristics, and overall cost. Not only that, but your choice of springs will affect the ride comfort of your Jeep as well.
We always recommend doing your research before spending money on expensive parts like rear springs. And luckily, you have come to the right place!
If you have been wondering how to make Jeep Wrangler ride smoother lately, or have been wanting to get the best suspension setup for an off-road adventure, the springs are a great place to start.
Today, we will teach you everything about 60 and 56 Springs. This includes what they are, their capabilities, their main differences, and much more!
Let’s kick things off by taking a closer look at the different types of springs available on the market today.
Types of Springs
Before trying to choose between the JK Wrangler 60 springs vs 56, we thought it is important to tell you more about the main types of springs in use. Jeeps utilize four man types of springs, namely;
- Leaf Springs
- Linear-Rate Coil Springs
- Dual-Rate Coil Springs
- Coilovers
1. Leaf Springs
For the old-school Jeep enthusiasts in our audience, leaf springs might be the first thing that pops into mind when talking about the rear suspension. And, that is for good reason. Leaf springs have the oldest history out of all spring types we’ll be discussing.
All Jeep Wranglers made before 1997’s “TJ” generation came from the factory with leaf springs as standard. The history of Jeep and leaf springs runs back to the brand’s debut during the Second World War.
The main reason behind the prolonged longevity of leaf springs is their simple construction. The leaf spring attaches to the Jeep’s axle via two attachment points.
Owners can tune the suspension characteristics by altering different characteristics of the leaf spring. These methods include using leaf springs with a different thickness, changing the arch height, or increasing the number of springs.
There are several notable differences between leaf springs vs coil springs off-road. First and foremost, their simple construction comes in handy if the need for repairs arises off the beaten path.
Not only that, but leaf springs strike a balance between articulation and load-carrying capabilities too.
However, if you were looking for a way to make your Wrangler ride smoother, you better look elsewhere. Although using thicker layers and tuning the shackles can make the ride somewhat smoother, leaf springs are no match for more modern spring types when it comes to comfort.
Moreover, leaf springs are prone to issues like excessive bush wear and sagging. If this doesn’t seem like something you’d want to deal with, continue reading our guides and learn more about the better options out there!
2. Linear-Rate Coil Springs
When it comes to comparing JK 60 springs vs 56, it would be criminal not to talk about linear-rate coil springs. These offer a balance between capability and comfort, and a great way of making a Jeep Wrangler JK ride smoother down the highway.
Liner-rate springs were the first type of coil springs to be introduced. As the name suggests, the characteristics of these springs – such as the thickness, spring rate, and height among others are set out of the gate and cannot be tuned later down the line.
However, that doesn’t mean liner-rate springs are bad for off-roading. These compress at a linear rate across the whole spring, which helps to avoid coil binging.
Additionally, opting for a higher spring rate allows drivers to reduce body roll, which is a desirable quality in a taller vehicle like the Wrangler.
3. Dual-Rate Coil Springs
Next are dual-rate coil springs, which are an evolution of the previous formula. As the name implies, dual-rate coil springs come with two spring rates – the lower one suits on-road driving while the higher spring rate is designed for off-roading.
To better understand how these spring rates affect different driving conditions first, we need to look at the design of Jeep JK dual-rate springs.
These coils pair two sets of springs to achieve their distinct qualities. The coils with the greater spring rate do not compress easily, and provide stiffness when the terrain gets rough. You can find these in the middle of the dual-rate springs.
On the other hand, the softer, lower-rate springs on each end of the coil take care of day-to-day bumps by compressing quickly and absorbing them.
When comparing dual-rate coil springs with other Jeep Wrangler coil types, we can observe several key benefits. They include;
- Capacity to carry heavier loads than normal
- Better comfort during daily driving
- Greater off-roading capabilities provided by better articulation
However, before spending your hard-earned cash on a set of expensive dual-rate coil springs, we urge you to finish reading this 60 vs 56 springs guide. You never know, there might be even better options out there!
4. Coilovers
Finally, let’s move on to arguably the most popular type of rear springs out there – coilovers. “But”, we hear you ask, “Aren’t coilovers meant for performance cars?”
You see, coilovers can improve the suspension performance of any vehicle, be it a circuit racer, drift car, or an off-road Jeep. Here, rather than being connected to the vehicle directly, the coils wrap around a shock. There are spring retainers at either end of the shock that keep it in place.
Due to this unique construction, you can adjust and tune the coil springs as your heart desires. For example, you can lower the Jeep to the ground or give it more ground clearance by making adjustments to the coil over preload.
The tuning capacity of coilovers doesn’t end there. Depending on the terrain you are planning to traverse over, you can tune the rebound and tension dampers to make the journey much easier.
In addition to massive adjustment capabilities, coil-overs massively improve a Jeep’s ride comfort, especially compared to leaf springs of yesteryear.
Now that you know all about the most popular types of springs available for the Jeep JK.
Things To Consider When Choosing JK Wrangler Springs
When picking between 60 Springs vs 56, several factors deserve your attention. These include but are not limited to, the tire size, desired ground clearance, roll center, and rake. Join us as we explore each of these factors.
1. Tire Size
Tire size plays an important role when it comes to picking between 60 Springs vs 56. Not only does it impact the comfort of your ride, but the tire size matters when it comes to articulation as well.
You see, the larger the tires are the better articulation they will provide. However, for maximum overlanding performance, the tires have to be compatible with the springs you go for.
In other words, striking the balance between tire size and springs is crucial but it depends on the level of capability you require from the Jeep.
In general, tires up to 33 inches are designed with on-road performance in mind, and can operate with any type of springs – including the venerable leaf springs.
If you decide to step up to 33 to 35-inch tires, you’ll probably need to spend some money on a good coil spring setup. Although 35 to 37-inch tires are also available, we don’t recommend them to regular enthusiasts as they require extensive modifications to work properly.
2. Ground Clearance
The level of ground clearance or “height” you are seeking to gain should also affect the choice of springs. Lift is another name we use to refer to this characteristic.
A stock JK Wrangler with the stock rear springs has a ground clearance of 9.7 inches. Depending on the type and size of the aftermarket spring you go for, the ground clearance will increase drastically.
There are many benefits of lifting a Jeep. The high ground clearance also raises the driving position, giving you a better view of the obstacles ahead. In addition, this mod also increases the approach, departure, and break-over angles, allowing you to ascend and descend steeper slopes.
A higher lift will also increase your ride’s water-fording capability, letting you wade across rivers like a champ! (Make sure not to take it too far and flood the engine)
3. Roll Center
The preload, stiffness, and the height of rear springs all affect the roll center of your Jeep. “What is roll center?” We hear your question.
The roll center is the point around which your Jeep’s body leans when it encounters a corner. It is typically plotted at the point where the front and rear suspensions interact with each other.
The roll center plays an important role in the context of off-roading. Have you ever experienced the feeling of your Jeep leaning to one side when going across rough terrain?
A good roll center placement is what keeps you from tipping wheel-over-roof in these situations. The wrong choice of spring might alter this off-camber stability by moving the roll center.
Your choice of JK 60 vs 56 springs might also improve or hinder the side slope negotiating abilities of your Jeep. However, this also depends on the terrain you are looking to planning to explore.
Additionally, the roll center also affects the cornering, climbing, and descending abilities as well as the suspension articulation of the JK. We urge you to carefully consider these factors.
4. Rake
Your choice of JK Wrangler 60 Springs vs 56 also affects the height difference between the front and rear of the Jeep, referred to simply as the rake. The spring rates and load-carrying capacity affect the rake, among others.
Similar to the other factors we discussed, the rake also affects off-road capabilities. If your Jeep has a positive rake, more of its weight would be towards the rear wheels. This improves rear traction, coming in handy when driving up steep hills.
On the other hand, a negative rake would do the opposite, putting more of the vehicle’s weight at the front. This increases the departure angle and provides more control when descending a mountain.
If you want to pick the best set of springs for your JK Wrangler, carefully considering each of these factors is something you shouldn’t ignore.
JK Wrangler 60 Springs vs 56: Comparison Chart
Here is a comparison chart between the JK Wrangler 60 Springs and the 56.
| Feature | 56 Springs | 60 Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Lift Height | 1 inch – 1.5 inches | 1.5 inches – 2 inches |
| Spring Rate | 450 lbs/in | 500 lbs/in |
| Towing Capacity | Low | High |
| High-speed handling (On-road) | Worse | Better |
| Low-speed handling (On-road) | Better | Worse |
| Off-Road Capability | Worse | Better |
| Cost | Low | High |
Main Differences Between JK Wrangler 60 And 56 Springs
Though both the 56 and 60 springs might seem rather similar on the surface, two key differences set them apart. They are:
- Ride Comfort
- Ground Clearance
Keep riding to find out how these factors would affect your purchase decision!
1. Ride Comfort
When designing the JK Wrangler, Jeep had both off-road capabilities as well as off-road performance in mind. Although the ride is better than previous generations, the JK Wrangler is no Range Rover!
However, if ride comfort is the major factor that made you compare the JK Wrangler 60 Springs vs 56, the cheaper option just might be the best one.
You see, the 60 springs lean more towards off-road performance rather than on-road comfort and are stiffer as a result. This can make the ride uncomfortable on longer drives and might take a toll on your back.
On the other hand, the lower sprung 56 will give a much smoother experience, as well as better stability during high-speed driving.
However, the story takes a complete 180 when it comes to off-road driving, as the 60 springs are more capable of this style of driving.
2. Ground Clearance
The next major difference between the Jeep Wrangler JK 60 and 56 springs is their ground clearance. While the 56 springs lift your Jeep a mere 1 to 1.5 inches off the ground, the 60 springs give more substantial ground clearance.
So, if you want to a drastic difference in your Jeep’s appearance, 60 springs are the ones to go for.
But, raising the ground clearance by fitting either of these springs brings more benefits than what meets the eye. As the 56 springs are softer, they will compress more as you add weight in the form of passengers, off-roading accessories ( winches, roof rails, bull-bars, lights ), or cargo.
This will make the Jeep “squat down” which can be a problem when off-roading.
However, the story changes if your Jeep already has an aftermarket body lift case. In this case, you can stick to the cheaper 56 springs if the SUV already has enough height to clear the terrain below.
In contrast, if the Jeep is still in its stock form without an aftermarket lift, spending the extra dough on a set of 60 springs may prove beneficial down the line.
Conclusion
When it comes to comparing the JK Wrangler 60 Springs vs 56, it is safe to say that there is no definitive winner. Each has its pros and cons and adds different capabilities to your Jeep.
The 60 springs are more suitable for off-roading, while the 56 springs have better on-road capabilities. At the end of the day, the choice between JK 60 Springs and 56 depends on what you are looking to get out of your Jeep’s suspension.
Are you looking for a new Jeep, but struggling to pick between the different trim levels on offer? Our Sahara vs High Altitude guide is here to the rescue!
Make sure to stay tuned with JeepInside for all the latest updates in the Jeep world. Have any questions? Let us know in the comments section. Our experts are here to answer all your burning issues.
