i rode in the aev jk - they took me out for a ride in their vehicle and setup the way they felt was best. david at northridge4x4 rode in the same jk with the same lift. both of us felt that the ride was a bit on the harsh side. having said that, ride quality is 100% subjective and IF YOU feel the ride is awesome, more power to you. i know you are attempting to comparing your idea of comfort to to a TJ but you'll forgive me when i say that a JK is no TJ by any stretch. hell, i would argue that a stock JK is more comforatble than an airock TJ but hey, that's just me. likewise, i am comparing mine based on all the other JK kits that i have either driven or ridden in and that would be most of the ones available today. of course, while comfort level is subjective, the fact that this kit is on the harsh side is not or at least in comparison to other setups i have felt.

regarding progressive rate springs, while they should have it so that you don't have to compromise one for the other, the ride i felt was still on the harsh side and i might add, much to my surprise. hell, the currie rock jock lift uses progressive rate coils and it offers a much nicer ride, or, at least for me anyway. likewise, while progressive rate springs typically ride nice on pavement, they actually do have a big compromise on the trail - they don't stuff worth squat. sure they'll droop just fine but droop won't keep you from getting tippy when climbing up on a boulder. of course, this kit isn't designed to be a rock crawler but rather, it's designed to be more of "an expedition" kit - this EXACTLY what aev told me and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

Man been gone for awhile after posting the thread and was supprised to see what a hornet nest I kicked around!!! I just want my jeep to be safe on the road for when my daughter starts to drive I will be using this jeep off road but there are very few rocks or mountains in Florida so the lift will be more of a ground clearance and mud thing more then flex. With that said if the lift feels good enough that I could take it on a trip to the mountains to play I dont want to be disapointed with the money I spent. Lifting something that cost me 27,000 dollars is a big decision and one that I do not take lightly. I will pay for a more expensive lift if it is better for all around use. It also sounds like if I do go with the AVE kit that the lower control arms will be replaced(going with the peoples vote here). So keep the info comming I'm listening!!!!

 

Would a softer shock (OME LT) help to soften the ride a bit, but still keep most of the positive handling atributes?

 

Sometimes it takes abit of stirring up to wade through all the crap and get to the good stuff. It's all good.

 

Might be able to ask David at Northridge and see what he thinks if no one on here responds. I would bet that most people who have this kit (AEV)are sticking with the shocks they have since they are supposed to be desighned with their lift in mind. But, no tellin, someone could pop up any minute.

 

The currie system sounds really nice, how does it handle on the road? Im not talking slalom courses (lol), Im talking every day driving around town? Im all about finding a great cross between plush and on road handling.

ps
I think those pics of the aev lift on golden spike shows the tire stuffing just fine.

 

With my Jk I've taken a different approach than what I have done with my last two jeeps. I have to travel long distances to find trails I like, most of time I head down to TN or KY (8-10 hr drive). I get sick of trailering, I want to be able travel at high speeds, get off the highway and hit the trails. With this JK I would have no problems getting on the highway and setting my cruise to 85 mph with my family in back.

In the past Ive spent thousands of dollars building my jeeps just to watch them sit 95% of the time, because they were mainly setup for rocks & trails and my trips can be few and far between. Considering I don't live 20 miles from Moab or the Rubicon trail and Im trying a different approach. With the way you can set up these JK's (aev lift or some other brand) it opens the door to so much more. My 2001 TJ has about 13,000 miles and my 2009 JK already has 6500 miles.

I cant completely speak for this lift yet, I just got it, but so far so good. Im still getting it ready for the trails but I will be the first to complain if I have any issues off road!

In the end there's several great lifts out there for the Jk and wouldn't be nice if they were all lined up for us all to test drive before our purchase. I would try to focus on a suspensions systems and not lift kits!

 

I love the way mine drives and handles with the Frankenlift mixture of parts. I just worry about the breakage factor when far away. I think that may be why alot of people are trailoring their JK's.Also, if you have a truck and trailor, why not use it? A moderately modded JK rides and handles waayyy better than a modded TJ. Course you gotta do a helluvalot more to get 35's on a TJ,YJ, CJ , than on a JK.

 

Looks like you have a nice set up. Cant believe you have a hemi in a jeep!!!! Did you replace the lower control arms that come with your kit?
Kenstw

 

Thanks, I went with JKS front adjustable control arms. They have factory style rubber bushings. In Michigan we have to be careful of what control arms we run. Any type of heim joint or anything that is medal on medal is a bad idea for a michigan jeeps. The salt destroys everything, my buddy spent big bucks on the teraflex control arms and less than a year later he has had to replace some of them.