AEV 2.5 Offroad Ability
 

Can someone give me some information about the off-road handling and ability of the AEV 2.5 lift? Many will talk about its on-road characteristics but not many about its offroad (except for the naysayers who recommend a different kit). Will this thing handle decent trails (8s on trail damage) with 35s? I plan to install this thing on my DD but also hit Ouray/Silverton and Moab trails with the same rig.

The white 2012 JK in these videos is running a 2.5" AEV lift with control arm relocation brackets. Bear in mind he is a highly skilled off-roader with a couple decades of experience. His wife (who actually owns the JK since his vehicle is an LR Defender) isn't too shabby a driver either ...

Colorado Campaign, July 2013, Part 1: http://youtu.be/yFjr3hSzEu4 We believe this is the first time trailers have ever made it to Lake Como on Blanca Peak.

K-Trail II, February 2013: http://youtu.be/j88zqOVAMqE Kinta 2, October 2012: http://youtu.be/SQHYl2Kp5ww

there is not much in Moab it can't handle unless you are into doing trails that will guarantee body damage. Hells revenge, top of the world, fins and things Dome plateau etc will all be a piece of cake with it.

Thank you. It looks like it handled well out there. Those videos are great and the defender is pretty cool too (yup, I said it).

After a couple years wheeling with the AEV 2.5, I don't find much difference between the AEV and rigs running other lifts. Most lifts are installed for tire clearance and ground clearance. For those purposes, 2.5 inches is 2.5 inches, period.

Is the AEV as strong as other lifts? Depends on the driver I guess. I don't hold back much, and haven't broken anything so far.

Unless you go for a tall long-arm setup with bunches of flex, I think most of the difference between lifts is found on the road rather than on the trail.

The AEV Geometry Correction Brackets are not part of the 2.5 kit, but they make a difference to on-road steering and handling. The trade-off is the brackets hang down about as far as the stock rear control arm mounts. I got a bracket hung up on a rock one time, but it was a driving error that would have hung me up on the frame anyway if the bracket hadn't been there.

Nothing about the Dualsport 2.5 has made me wish I used a different kit. There are other good kits in the same price range. It depends on which parts and engineering decisions you want in the kit.

I think the highlighted statement answers what my question should have been. Does anyone regret the AEV 2.5?

AEV has a forum and about the only disappoint you read about is guys end up wishing they would have went to the 3.5/4.5" kit from the start :). I have the 2" and I am wanting a 2.5" DS kit.

Off road ability comes down to the driver. I have seen people in stock rigs drive around people with fully modded rigs, because they know how to drive. build your rig to your purposes. the 2.5" aev is a great lift, unless your rockcrawling only, you don't need any higher.

Installed AEV 2.5 with drop brackets last year. Put 285/70 MTR's on and headed for All-4-Fun. Signed up for China Gulch trail. Being from the flatlands it was a little intense for me. I had no problems and kept up with the 40" tires and big lifts. Would like to do it again someday. 2011 2dr. Rubicon 6spd. 410 gears!:thumbsup::beer:

I flipped through tons of pics and reviews on that site. I was worried that there were some bias opinions though. A few sweet rigs though. Thanks :beer:

The JK is an extremely capable vehicle in stock form and an extra few inches of clearance can only help it.