For the love of Jeep: why Clayton products are so good and… expensive
The price of Clayton suspensions is influenced by many factors. However, all of them pale in comparison to the most important one: passion. It’s this passion that drives Clayton Walters to create some of the best parts for Jeeps. His deep understanding of the off-road world and its challenges, combined with his technical expertise, allows him to develop solutions that truly meet the needs of off-road drivers. But what else makes these products unique?
Clayton Suspensions – Excellence in Every Detail
From the garage workshop to the world’s toughest terrains, Clayton suspensions have come a long way so you can enjoy the best off-road driving experience. Originally designed for a small group of off-road enthusiasts, these kits later captured the hearts of the global off-road community. Through individual projects, Clayton Walters, President and founder of Clayton Off Road, honed the fit of his products to meet the specific needs of different vehicle models.
As a Jeep owner and off-road enthusiast who actively tested his vehicles, Clayton has a unique talent for recognizing the nuances and subtle differences in each vehicle’s performance. That’s why his products are designed to account for all variables, including changes in spring types or engines, as seen in the Wrangler JL and JT models. Moreover, before the suspension kits reach the market, every component undergoes rigorous real-world testing. Clayton values user feedback and consistently incorporates improvements and updates into his products.
Walters’ goal for Clayton Off Road suspensions is to deliver the best performance in every driving situation, both on and off the road. As a result, the kits are often fully adjustable, allowing users to maintain proper vehicle geometry and customize the ride quality to the modifications made and the desired outcome.
For example, Clayton’s sway bar links feature adjustable ends, allowing for custom cutting and fitting of the bar length. Each product comes with a detailed instruction sheet for its specific application, making it the perfect solution for DIY enthusiasts. Another example: For the JT model, Clayton designed a specially bent rear track bar (Panhard rod), which allows the installation of a larger spare tire in the original spot under the vehicle.
“Why are Clayton suspensions so expensive?”
In addition to perfect fitment and customer support after the purchase, Clayton has risen to the top of the industry by keeping the entire production process in the hands of American specialists. Clayton uses the most durable materials, such as chromoly steel and aerospace-grade aluminum. This level of precision and care does increase costs, which is reflected in the final price of the products. But when it comes to off-road performance and durability, investing in reliable equipment truly pays off.
Although “no compromises in production” can sound like a cliché, Clayton truly focuses on modern technological solutions that ensure the best results in any off-road conditions. This is why vehicles equipped with Clayton products perform exceptionally well not only on standard roads but also when ‘crawling’ over rocks in extreme terrain. But again, the hours of experimentation behind these innovations come with a cost.
Innovations and technologies in Clayton suspension parts
To back up our claims about Clayton’s innovative approach to product design, here’s why we believe that Clayton’s suspension parts are not only great but the best in the world – speaking, of course, in our humble opinion, with full responsibility for our words.
Control Arms and Bushings
First and foremost are the control arms which have a robust, massive square construction with a double powder-coated finish, making them highly resistant to bending or breaking. In fact, they’re virtually indestructible, even with constant exposure to sand or mud. Additionally, they come equipped with bushings designed for both off-road and overlanding applications. These include upgraded Giiro metal-rubber bushings and Johnny Joint uniball joints.
The Giiro bushings excel at absorbing vibrations and are self-centering, providing a smooth ride on both highways and forest trails. They are ideal for mid-level lifts and primarily recreational use. On the other hand, The Johnny Joint uniballs are ball joints designed for the most extreme conditions. They offer virtually unlimited suspension travel with high lifts, allowing you to easily tackle steep hills and valleys while navigating the most challenging and varied terrains.
Springs: triple-rate and dual-rate
Clayton’s product lineup also includes triple-rate progressive springs for the Jeep Gladiator JT and dual-rate progressive springs for the Wrangler JL. Both feature different winding rates at various spring lengths (spring compression points).
This design provides a wider range of suspension travel, better absorption of road irregularities, improved tire grip, and more stable handling. They are primarily distinguished by their higher load capacity, allowing for comfortable driving even under heavy loads. If you’re building your dream overlanding rig or carrying a lot of cargo, these parts are perfect for you.
Conversions and upgrades
For fans of the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee series, Clayton offers kits that enhance the off-road potential of these vehicles. For XJ, for example, there is a conversion from standard leaf springs to coil springs. This modification improves suspension articulation (axle flex), enhancing the vehicle’s ability to handle tough terrain even more effectively.
For the WJ model, Clayton offers a set of two independent long-arm control arms as a replacement for the stock rear control arm (A-frame control arm), which typically comes with a solid axle configuration. The conversion to two independent systems increases suspension flexibility, while the longer arms reduce the angles on the lower control arms further improving ride quality. This solution is especially recommended for lifted Jeeps.
3-link suspensions
For the TJ model, Clayton also manufactures 3-link suspension kits, which modify the front axle’s performance to better adapt to varying terrains. How does this work? Instead of the standard four control arms, there are three independent long-arm control arms (multi-link), each functioning independently. This increases the suspension’s ability to flex under pressure.
Summary: what makes Clayton suspensions the best?
- Specifically tailored to individual Jeep models and versions,
- Come with a lifetime warranty,
- Continuously improved and modified by the manufacturer, often based on user feedback,
- Based on the latest technical solutions,
- Feature many practical and advanced innovations: adjustable sway bar links, bent track bar (Panhard bar), spring conversions, long-arm control arms (multi-link),
- Adjustable components,
- Improve suspension and steering performance,
- Come with the best control arms and bushings on the market,
- Designed by a Jeep enthusiast and off-road lover,
- Designed and manufactured entirely in the USA,
- Use the most durable materials (e.g., aerospace-grade aluminum),
- An unmatched approach to providing optimal and top solutions for off-road terrain for a variety of drivers.
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