Is AEV worth the money?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
With 37's, you might choose a lower backspace. Most lift mfg's recommend 4.50 or less for 35x12.50's, so you should use that as a bare minimum for 37's.
Be sure to note this caution from their install docs:
Be sure to note this caution from their install docs:
Stock Front and Rear Driveshafts: Note1: aftermarket units with double-Cardan
joints will require a rear axle pinion angle adjustment that is not provided in
these systems. Note2: A small-diameter front driveshaft is recommended for
clearance on 4.5” systems and all vehicles with automatic transmissions.
joints will require a rear axle pinion angle adjustment that is not provided in
these systems. Note2: A small-diameter front driveshaft is recommended for
clearance on 4.5” systems and all vehicles with automatic transmissions.
Last edited by nthinuf; Dec 9, 2010 at 07:22 PM.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Rancho 4 sport lift $417 (after 500 dollar rebate and free shipping)... current offer has 500 dollars towards having it installed at a shop...
It has rs9000 "adjustable" shocks...(with a remote control you can adjust from the cab if your into geek things...)
Has brackets and brackets... and well, brackets... bump stop relocating brackets, brake line brackets, sway bar brackets, Very heavy duty solid looking control arm brackets, frame mounted trackbar brackets (that they recomend welding in the instructions)....
A drop pitman arm, extended sway bar links, 4 nice pretty red coils that ride very smooth according to all the reviews. (next week I get to put mine on!)
Has a great ride on road... by the reviews offered.
Is it a good lift? probably from most of the reviews of it- it's a middle of the road lift (not an e-bay special)... but not a Hard core rocker lift by any means.
It's worth the 400-500 bucks most people pay for it. It may even be better than some lifts people paid much more for...
Is it worth 1100 dolars more for the AEV kit-which really is a very similar designed lift? Neither coming with adj control arms.... and using brackets to control geometry.
WOL- is saying nothing bad about the kit- just maybe it is over priced. I'm just throwing on the rancho kit on as a "reflection of the possiblity" of how "over priced" it "might" or "might not" be.
It has rs9000 "adjustable" shocks...(with a remote control you can adjust from the cab if your into geek things...)
Has brackets and brackets... and well, brackets... bump stop relocating brackets, brake line brackets, sway bar brackets, Very heavy duty solid looking control arm brackets, frame mounted trackbar brackets (that they recomend welding in the instructions)....
A drop pitman arm, extended sway bar links, 4 nice pretty red coils that ride very smooth according to all the reviews. (next week I get to put mine on!)
Has a great ride on road... by the reviews offered.
Is it a good lift? probably from most of the reviews of it- it's a middle of the road lift (not an e-bay special)... but not a Hard core rocker lift by any means.
It's worth the 400-500 bucks most people pay for it. It may even be better than some lifts people paid much more for...
Is it worth 1100 dolars more for the AEV kit-which really is a very similar designed lift? Neither coming with adj control arms.... and using brackets to control geometry.
WOL- is saying nothing bad about the kit- just maybe it is over priced. I'm just throwing on the rancho kit on as a "reflection of the possiblity" of how "over priced" it "might" or "might not" be.
also, your example of the rancho kit is spot on and exactly what i was thinking. for the price and what you get, this is definitely a kit worth the price.
exactly! and, i might add, their premium plus kit sells for only $1199 and, among other things, it comes with heavy duty adjustable front upper and rear control arms as well as front and rear adjustable track bars.
now this is a kit that i think you get your money's worth too and, it's made in the USA.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Hey
Just pulled the trigger on an AEV 4.5 premium lift. Planning on 37" toyos. based on all my research, debate and lack of experience with suspension lifts I chose AEV. it's the most complete for the money and offers great roaD handling not to mention the procal which is included. Ill keep us all posted. For the guys who have it, what backspace are you running? I'm gonna do some method race wheels with a 4.75 backspace. Hopefully it's not an issue. Would hate to use a spacer.
AE33
Just pulled the trigger on an AEV 4.5 premium lift. Planning on 37" toyos. based on all my research, debate and lack of experience with suspension lifts I chose AEV. it's the most complete for the money and offers great roaD handling not to mention the procal which is included. Ill keep us all posted. For the guys who have it, what backspace are you running? I'm gonna do some method race wheels with a 4.75 backspace. Hopefully it's not an issue. Would hate to use a spacer.
AE33
4.5" is a lot of lift and if you have a 2-door, you will need to get a new rear drive shaft. of course, you will not have any way to install a new rear drive shaft and set your pinion angle. you would need adjustable control arms to do this but, you only get non-adjustable brackets with this kit. hell, if you're really planning on running 37's, you'll more than likely want to get a new rear shaft even if you have a 4-door and you'll still have the same problem.
agreed. with 4.75", it'll be close and you will most likely still have rubbing at a full turn and flexed.
Last edited by wayoflife; Dec 9, 2010 at 07:27 PM.
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX
Originally Posted by AE33
Hey
Just pulled the trigger on an AEV 4.5 premium lift. Planning on 37" toyos. based on all my research, debate and lack of experience with suspension lifts I chose AEV. it's the most complete for the money and offers great roaD handling not to mention the procal which is included. Ill keep us all posted. For the guys who have it, what backspace are you running? I'm gonna do some method race wheels with a 4.75 backspace. Hopefully it's not an issue. Would hate to use a spacer.
AE33
Just pulled the trigger on an AEV 4.5 premium lift. Planning on 37" toyos. based on all my research, debate and lack of experience with suspension lifts I chose AEV. it's the most complete for the money and offers great roaD handling not to mention the procal which is included. Ill keep us all posted. For the guys who have it, what backspace are you running? I'm gonna do some method race wheels with a 4.75 backspace. Hopefully it's not an issue. Would hate to use a spacer.
AE33
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca.
exactly! and, i might add, their premium plus kit sells for only $1199 and, among other things, it comes with heavy duty adjustable front upper and rear control arms as well as front and rear adjustable track bars.
now this is a kit that i think you get your money's worth too and, it's made in the USA.
Would the OME coils be a better fit for this setup? I didn't see any spring options from Full Traction.
Last edited by wayoflife; Dec 9, 2010 at 07:44 PM.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
As of right now I'm leaning towards this kit, one thing I'm curious about is how their coils compare to the OME HD coils. I'm planning a full width AEV with winch, so there is a fair amount of weight on the front end with this setup.
Would the OME coils be a better fit for this setup? I didn't see any spring options from Full Traction.
Would the OME coils be a better fit for this setup? I didn't see any spring options from Full Traction.
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX
Originally Posted by wayoflife
i used to run the full traction 3" ultimate lift and can tell you that that their coils are really comfortable and flex well. loaded up, you will see a little bit sagging but, i think that's to be expected with any good coil. coils that can hold up a lot of weight typically offer a harsh ride and/or don't stuff worth anything. your best bet is to add a .75" coil spacer to help make up the difference if needed.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
The value in the AEV kit is the engineering and quality of parts. The Bilsteins and progressive rate coils are what sold me on it. Add $300-400 to any advertised kit price if you want Bilsteins. The progressive coils make a huge difference in ride quality and load capacity. It rode rough with stock bumpers, but as soon as I added the extra weight of front and rear bumpers, winch and tire carrier, it rides like a dream -- just as it was designed. Not knocking anyone else's lift, but I've had at least four different brands on four different Jeeps and this one it outstanding for what I need it to do - which is realistically 90 street/commute and 10 off-road (just like 99% of people who own a JK). I would get a different brand or build my own for hard-core trail use, but that's not what most kits are for.