2015 Rubicon Unlimited stock right now. Looking at the AEV 3.5 vs Rubicon Express 3.5 sport. I am leaning towards the RE sport due to the price and was told that it is comparable to the AEV 3.5. This is my daily driver that will see the trails on weekends but I am looking for a good everyday ride as well. I am going to run 35s on it with the lift. I know AEV's reputation, who has thoughts on the RE 3.5 sport lift? Also considering AEV pintlers but considering running stock wheels with spacer to save some money but not sure about running with the spacers...any advice would be appreciated.

 

I had a RE 3.5 Super Flex Short Arm lift installed on my JKU at purchase. It was used as a DD its first 6 months without any issues.

 

Not even close. RE is junk (IMHO) - do not buy it expecting great on road quality. The springs WILL sag.

AEV is a great lift for both on-road and light to moderate trail use. I wouldn't recommend it as a rock crawling lift, however, because the geometry correction brackets hang too low. I know owners who have bent theirs.

Read the sticky on lifts from The Dirtman.

 

I have the AEV 3.5 and so far i love it, got 35 BFG KO 2"s also, True i have less than 1k on it but it rides smooth no shimmies ,handles well.I'm very happy.

 

Do you even know the pressure rates on the springs for any of the recommendations you're giving ? i had the 2.5 RE basic kit, and those springs are heavy as hell (185lbs front, 230lbs rear, heavier than RK or TF springs for example), they didn't sag one bit for the 2 months period i had them, in fact i had to to add weight to the front to bring it down, and even after 150lbs, the nose only came down 1/2". I don't know the specs on the 3.5" lift, but the ones i had were not Rough country or Rusty offroad quality springs, 've heard of RK sagging badly, that was from posts from years ago, i wouldn't say don't buy RK springs because they sag based on info from years ago, they might have fixed those issues already for all i know, RC or Rusty springs continue to sag even in recent months, so we know better about them, what would concern me about the RE kit is the bushings in the arms and the rear track bar bracket , in theory they have fixed the material they were using before for the bushings, but the TB bracket still looks cheaply made compare to other options, I have multiple reasons for not liking things in a "kit", and the only reason i went with the RE kit was because of its price, knowing i was going to start changing parts anyways

AEV seems to be good choice, but they'll have to pay to me to run those low hanging brackets they have replacing the factory front LCA's, sure the video of the Jeep Wrangler they have with a 5.7L Hemi taking corners at high speed looks awesome, but being honest, who buys a Jeep to do such a thing ?? well, like we used to say in the Toyota camp, sometimes it's better not to ask...

 

What size tire you looking to run ?

 

I've had AEV for two years now and LOVE it. I hit some hard rock trails and some light dirt trails and it performs great. It's also my daily driver and there has not been one issue. This "low" hanging brackets I keep hearing about has been a NON issue for me. From the badlands to Redbird and WINDROCK there is zero issues with AEV...

 

Don't go with a bargain brand, you'll regret it. Read Dirtman's "Thoughts on Lifts" and go research AEV, Teraflex, Rock Krawler, Synergy, Metalcloak, and similarly priced companies.

 

2 months is hardly enough to see those springs start to sag. They will sag over time. I'm not talking about pressure or weight, I'm talking about longevity. And for what it's worth, I'll take my RK triple rate springs over what RE calls springs, my adjustable control arms to cam bolts (what a joke) or drop brackets.

I'm a bigger fan of RK than AEV, mostly because I prefer rocks. But for the OP, it sounds like an AEV lift might be his best choice, based on his original post.

That being said, people change their minds all the time.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. A lot to think about, again AEV has a great reputation just not sure if the price is worth "how much better" it would be compared to the Rubicon Express 3.5 sport. I am gonna stew on in it some more. Also torn between the ARB Deluxe front bumper and the AEV front bumper. Don't have the money for the winch yet and was told that with the AEV I have to remove the bumper to put the winch in when I buy it verse the ARB I can leave it on and just add the winch (saves some work) both quality in think price and laziness of removing the bumper with the AEV to add the winch later has me leaning towards the ARB. Feel free to share your thoughts, I am a newbie.