AEV vs RK Lift
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 606
Likes: 6
From: Evergreen, CO
If you go to tires much larger than 33", you should be thinking about welding C gussets on (or do it anyway if you're likely to have a bunch of potholes in your area) since you'll have things apart and accessible and depending on current mileage, balljoints may be in order down the road but wait and see.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Cabot, AR
I run the RK 3.5" X-Factor. I have been extremely happy with the ride on and off road. I also use the Bilstein 5100's and for the price they offer an excellent ride. If you are looking for a RK lift, go to rivercityoffroad.com, Marcus will make you the best deal you'll find on complete kits with different shock options, bump stops and steering stabilizers. Best of all he has free shipping and has great customer service. If you call their number, Marcus is the one who answers. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
JK Jedi
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 486
From: Knoxville
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk Virginia
I run the RK 3.5" X-Factor. I have been extremely happy with the ride on and off road. I also use the Bilstein 5100's and for the price they offer an excellent ride. If you are looking for a RK lift, go to rivercityoffroad.com, Marcus will make you the best deal you'll find on complete kits with different shock options, bump stops and steering stabilizers. Best of all he has free shipping and has great customer service. If you call their number, Marcus is the one who answers. I promise, you won't be disappointed. Attachment 626240
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
First; Thank You for your service.
I am in Northern VA and have found many good trails here. You have to dig, but they are there. Here is a link to a map on Google that shows several of the trails.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.kiphaovesbL8
My favorites:
Meadow Knob then run the ridge all the way to Reddish Knob (best view in the entire blue ridge).
Potts Mountain Trail
Shoe Creek (was closed in July when I went there last, should be open now)
Anytime you want to go wheeling, PM me and we can put together a group.
Also, I have several friends that work at Ft. Detrick, and they are always using the shop on post to work on their vehicles. I bet Norfolk has a Auto Hobby Shop that is available for service members to use. There are probably a lot of folks there that would be willing to help get you up to speed on how to make all kinds of mods to your Jeep.
I have the RK 2.5" X-Factor lift and love it. My Jeep is pushing 6000#'s fully loaded and the lift handles it well. I think that if you plan on continuing to build your Jeep, a kit with adjustable control arms and adjustable track bars is best.
Finally, I think your choice of tires will make the biggest impact on your ride as a DD. I think the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 has a E rating which means the sidewall is very stiff and the tire is intended for use on a heavy truck. I have the Goodyear Duratracs that are C rated and probably a better fit to the size and use of the vehicle.
I am in Northern VA and have found many good trails here. You have to dig, but they are there. Here is a link to a map on Google that shows several of the trails.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.kiphaovesbL8
My favorites:
Meadow Knob then run the ridge all the way to Reddish Knob (best view in the entire blue ridge).
Potts Mountain Trail
Shoe Creek (was closed in July when I went there last, should be open now)
Anytime you want to go wheeling, PM me and we can put together a group.
Also, I have several friends that work at Ft. Detrick, and they are always using the shop on post to work on their vehicles. I bet Norfolk has a Auto Hobby Shop that is available for service members to use. There are probably a lot of folks there that would be willing to help get you up to speed on how to make all kinds of mods to your Jeep.
I have the RK 2.5" X-Factor lift and love it. My Jeep is pushing 6000#'s fully loaded and the lift handles it well. I think that if you plan on continuing to build your Jeep, a kit with adjustable control arms and adjustable track bars is best.
Finally, I think your choice of tires will make the biggest impact on your ride as a DD. I think the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 has a E rating which means the sidewall is very stiff and the tire is intended for use on a heavy truck. I have the Goodyear Duratracs that are C rated and probably a better fit to the size and use of the vehicle.
Last edited by maxspongebob; Oct 3, 2015 at 03:02 PM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 486
From: Knoxville
Coming from someone who recently installed a RK 3.5" Xfactor....it's a lot of lift and all of those adjustable components make it tough for shops in our area to get your alignment right. I've got a friend fighting this issue now.
The base does have a hobby shop but the lift (3.5" x) took a good 10 hours to install. Driveway install is nicer.
As far as C vs E on the road- I didn't notice a difference in my two sets of C tires vs my current E's. You can take the E's for a ride if you'd like to see for yourself.
The base does have a hobby shop but the lift (3.5" x) took a good 10 hours to install. Driveway install is nicer.
As far as C vs E on the road- I didn't notice a difference in my two sets of C tires vs my current E's. You can take the E's for a ride if you'd like to see for yourself.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk Virginia
s
Thank you man. I'll definitely get in contact with you when I head up there. I've heard there's a hobby shop on base and I'm going to try to install it there with someone experienced that could walk me through it. I'm bouncing between the 2.5 Flex or X-Factor, I think it'll depend on how much I'll have to throw down on it ultimately. One question I do have is what shocks do you guys recommend with the RK 2.5 lift?
First; Thank You for your service.
I am in Northern VA and have found many good trails here. You have to dig, but they are there. Here is a link to a map on Google that shows several of the trails.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.kiphaovesbL8
My favorites:
Meadow Knob then run the ridge all the way to Reddish Knob (best view in the entire blue ridge).
Potts Mountain Trail
Shoe Creek (was closed in July when I went there last, should be open now)
Anytime you want to go wheeling, PM me and we can put together a group.
Also, I have several friends that work at Ft. Detrick, and they are always using the shop on post to work on their vehicles. I bet Norfolk has a Auto Hobby Shop that is available for service members to use. There are probably a lot of folks there that would be willing to help get you up to speed on how to make all kinds of mods to your Jeep.
I have the RK 2.5" X-Factor lift and love it. My Jeep is pushing 6000#'s fully loaded and the lift handles it well. I think that if you plan on continuing to build your Jeep, a kit with adjustable control arms and adjustable track bars is best.
Finally, I think your choice of tires will make the biggest impact on your ride as a DD. I think the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 has a E rating which means the sidewall is very stiff and the tire is intended for use on a heavy truck. I have the Goodyear Duratracs that are C rated and probably a better fit to the size and use of the vehicle.
I am in Northern VA and have found many good trails here. You have to dig, but they are there. Here is a link to a map on Google that shows several of the trails.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.kiphaovesbL8
My favorites:
Meadow Knob then run the ridge all the way to Reddish Knob (best view in the entire blue ridge).
Potts Mountain Trail
Shoe Creek (was closed in July when I went there last, should be open now)
Anytime you want to go wheeling, PM me and we can put together a group.
Also, I have several friends that work at Ft. Detrick, and they are always using the shop on post to work on their vehicles. I bet Norfolk has a Auto Hobby Shop that is available for service members to use. There are probably a lot of folks there that would be willing to help get you up to speed on how to make all kinds of mods to your Jeep.
I have the RK 2.5" X-Factor lift and love it. My Jeep is pushing 6000#'s fully loaded and the lift handles it well. I think that if you plan on continuing to build your Jeep, a kit with adjustable control arms and adjustable track bars is best.
Finally, I think your choice of tires will make the biggest impact on your ride as a DD. I think the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 has a E rating which means the sidewall is very stiff and the tire is intended for use on a heavy truck. I have the Goodyear Duratracs that are C rated and probably a better fit to the size and use of the vehicle.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 950
Likes: 8
From: Philly Suburbs
I love the RK 2.5 max travel kit that I just put on my 2015 2 door Willys. I had a 2.5" AEV on my 12 Rubicon I just sold and I like the on road and off road ride of the RK better. The AEV was a great lift but the RK seems a little more compliant on pot holes and uneven roads (may be the fox shocks too). I also like the extra half inch in height to clear my 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers. I added spring retainers to the flex kit and Fox 2.0 shocks. It rides better than stock on road and seems great on the trail too. I haven't done a ton of rocks yet but will in a couple weeks at Rausch Creek and will post back.
Last edited by phljeeper; Oct 4, 2015 at 07:02 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Tavares, Florida
I run the RK 3.5" X-Factor. I have been extremely happy with the ride on and off road. I also use the Bilstein 5100's and for the price they offer an excellent ride. If you are looking for a RK lift, go to rivercityoffroad.com, Marcus will make you the best deal you'll find on complete kits with different shock options, bump stops and steering stabilizers. Best of all he has free shipping and has great customer service. If you call their number, Marcus is the one who answers. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
