the bracket is made by off road evolution and is only needed for the installation of their coilover system as both coil and shock are both mounted to the same point and so relocating this mount is needed. for normal applications like a standard lift, i can't see why this would be needed.

if the welding is the only thing holding you back, i wouldn't let it. you can easily prep and get everything setup for a mobile welder to come out to your house and they can burn the brackets on for cheap. ctimrun did this on his first jk.

 

That's an option, and the welding is the only thing holding me back. It also looks like after adding control arms to the AEV kit and adding shocks to the Currie kit, the Currie is less expensive...

Does anybody know a good, inexpensive mobile welder around Denver?

Thanks again!

 

I am not sure, but it looks like there is a bracket on the right hand side of the shock running to something in the front. I know that AEV uses a lot of items to strengthen the front mounting for the track bar, etc... so maybe it ties into one of those compnents?

 

naw, there's nothing there and if you look at their parts list, nothing like what you are thinking is there. this is a simple crush sleeve and bolt that offsets the shock and that's it.

 

We need to get Jim or Dave from AEV involved in this debate. Otherwise mostly everything said on this thread can be viewed as mere speculation.

BTW, I use a Teraflex suspension system. I'm just trying to be fair.

 

honestly, there really is no speculation about the parts in question, how they are used or how there would be an increase in stress to the factory mount by using this setup and how there is a potential risk of causing the factory mount to break. this is not an attack on the company in question but rather, an observation of things and based on experience.

 

Of course, common sense, but I like to give AEV the benefit of doubt. It's hard for me to fathom that a detail like this would go unnoticed by AEVs engineers. I would love to hear their rational behind this idea. Are they trying to be different? I doubt it. You don't need this lift kit to relocate the front shocks. I thought it was a nice idea that is why I have adapted this idea with my Teraflex lift kit. Very easy to do.

 

I don't see it as being speculation either. That bar they put in between the ears only prevents the factory ears from crushing together when they tighten the lower shock bolt. The lever is longer and hence there is more stress. Prior to doing this the stress was centered beteen the factory ears; now it is substantially outside the factory ears imposing a stress the bracket was not designed for. And as far as I'm concerned Jeep was paying their welders more if they used less welding wire; because a lot of welds on the JK's axels are marginal at best. The thickness of the factory bracket is questionable too.

I've got the RE 3.5 SF lift and the same Bilstein shocks that AEV uses (the valving may be different but the envelope is the same) and have spent a lot of time in Moab where the suspension has been worked. I just went out and looked and I see no evidence of my shocks having ever contacted the frame.

I like AEV; I have their Pintler wheels and think they've done a great job on the Hemi conversion kits. But I get the feeling that this kit is trying to capitalize on the Nth name while at the same time trying to hit a price point. I'd feel better about it if it came with adjustable control arms (instead of cams) and longer brake cables (instead of drop down brackets). I know I sure as heck wouldn't buy this lift over a Currie or Clayton. The claim to fame on this lift appears to be the springs - are they better than OME and others? Time will tell. Will they sell the springs separately?

 

I'm sorry, but a "nice idea" that is "very easy to do" that imposes stresses on a part that it wasn't designed to handle to solve a non-existant problem makes no sense.

 

LOL!! well said.

regarding the claim to fame coils, currie has been selling progressive rate springs for quite some time now and they do provide a comfortable ride. however, i should point out that while progressive rate springs provide a nice ride on pavement, at high speeds off pavement and even a good amount of droop on the rocks but, you will see a noticable reduction in the amount of stuff you have there too. in other words, depending on the obstacle you're on, a lack of stuff will make you a bit tippy. for me personally, i personally feel that a standard coils is the better way to go but only because i like playing on the rocks.