I'm taking delivery of a 2010 JK Unlimited Sahara Black/slate (manual w/ 3.73s) at the end of the month and plan on putting on 35s and a lift. I've been doing a fair amount of research and lurking around the forums for about 3 months now.

I haven't really made a solid decision on the lift, tires, or rims. Here's what I'm leaning towards right now (Budget is fairly flexible):

AEV 3.5" Premium Lift http://w ww.aev-conversions.com/products/nthdegree_jk/

AEV Pintlers (17x8) in Argent http://htt ps://secure.aev-conversio...ode=20402013AA

Tires?...all-terrain of some sort...mostly a daily driver

So my main question is about lifts. The AEV Nth Degree suspension kits seem pretty all-inclusive and straight-forward. My main considerations are on-road driveability, ride quality, ability to clear 35" tires, and "completeness" of setup.

Is the AEV really all that it's cracked up to be for $1549? I'm ok spending that much if it's really THAT good...I called them and their claims were the OEM-style engineering and quality of components. They seemed pretty legit.

Also, with a 6-speed, and in the future probably the Superchips Flashpack, am I going to be totally underpowered with the current 3.73s?

Any pics of a similar setup on a black unlimited jk would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
SD

 

yes they are that good... of course that is only my opinion. I have their lift and love it... It really does drive that good.

issues I had with the lift: the supplied steering stabilizer was a POS, they swapped it out no questions asked for an awesome unit, and the rear coils became unseated during full droop, I added 1/2" TF spacers to remedy it.

I am happy with everything. If I were to do it all over, Id buy the same lift and AEV Argent Pintlers and wrap them with Goodyear Duratrac tires

 

Purchase adjustable control arms because the cam bolts that come with their kits suck.

Also, you will need to regear eventually with the 35's, but you have a 6speed so it won't be too terribly bad.

 

If they're all that good, doesn't seem like they'd have rear springs popping out with their kit. And they wouldn't have cheap ass cambolts with their kit. JMHO. They should at least offer arms and a spring retainer kit.Or shorter rear shocks.

 

Well, they could have charged an additional $300 and included LCA's.... (the cam bolts are $40)

As far as the spring becoming unseated, it is a problem, and when I discovered it I was pissed off. after adding the 1/2" spacers Im okay with it because I prefer the shocks being long and allowing the amount of droop that they do.



The best way to judge the lift isnt by reading about it on the internet.. try and find a JK that is running the lift and go for a ride... Some people hate the suspension and call it stiff, others (me) love the way it rides, it feels like my Acura TSX that I traded in for the JK. the suspension is firm, but never harsh. you always feel in control of the JK, better control than stock (there is a part of the Beltway pkwy in Brooklyn that used to throw my JK all over the road, both in stock, and BB form.. today with my AEV lift, I can cruise over that road at any speed and the JK stays where I point it.

my 2 cents...

 

I'da mailed you a set of cambolts for a dollar. Glad you like your system though, I hear they ride good.

 

I do like their claims (and apparently racer83l's experiences) of the "firm" suspension and tight steering. I have driven trucks for the past few vehicles and prefer to have a stiffer suspension and "feel" the road without being jarred too horribly when I hit bumps and uneven spots.

Racer83l: Did they replace the steering stabilizer with the same product? Was the first one just a bad unit, or did they change the product when they shipped a replacement.

My purchase of this kit, or a similar lift, would be to have an all-inclusive kit that I didn't need to purchase any different parts for (spacer/adjustable control arms)...were the above problems isolated incidents, or general problems with their kit?

Thanks for the quick replies.

SD

 

The "hard core" people along with what I call the "web-wheelers" will say the cam-bolts are bad and don't use 'em.



The "hard core" people have a point, for their purpose. "Web wheelers" don't have a leg to stand on.


For most of us, cam bolts are just fine. They were used in production on the 93-98 ZJ Grand Cherokee with no problems. I know, I had a '94 ZJ with a 4" lift, 4.56 gears, and detroit tru-tracks front and rear.


For what you are wanting to do, cam bolts will be perfect.

I've got a friend that works for AEV and I asked him about the lift and he gives it to me straight.

The AEV lift is the way I'm going when I'm done saving up. The only other lift I'd consider is the Old Man Emu.

Please note, every lift is going to ride and handle differently on road and off-road. 90% of my time is on-road, so I'd rather have a better on-road handling JK.

For the 10% time off-road, I expect it to be near point and shoot and had better perform. The AEV seemed like the best compromise. You get a decent off-road performing lift with top of class on-road.

 

Adj control arms are better than cambolts for adjusting caster and pinion angles, they allow for more fine tuning, nuff said.

 

my lift shipped with a Rubicon Express steering stabilizer... my JK's wheel shook slightly when my passenger tire hit a bump at speeds from about 20-40MPH.. Once I told them that they asked which stabilizer I had. told them the silver unit.. the same day they sent me a yellow unit by OME and it fixed my issue.