They actually are related. They are two different ways of looking at the same thing. Given a specific wheel size, all you need to know is one and the other is a given.

Does RC mean Rough Country?

 

AEV 2.5 Dualsport.....with geometry correction brackets. No need for new control arms and can fit 35's with a wheel of 5.5"-5.2" BS
You could also use these brackets on any other kit to avoid new control arms.

 

I'll check it out. 2.5 might be more practical for me anyway. Everyone, thanks for the advice

here is the link to the BS and offset thread where an18x9 wheel with 0 offset can handle 12.5 inch wide tires without rubbing.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/spon...-190468/page5/

 

Yes RC means rough country. Shop for yourself and compare but I can't justify spending all that extra money for very very similar products, it just seems your paying for the name

 

Hey RT
I think I've been wrong on my understanding of what AEV's brackets do. Are they simply just a way to allow the user to keep the stock control arms?

 

Wrong. The answer is YES. How do you think Rough Country can charge less for their product than their competitors? To cut their cost and still make a profit they either use less engineering, poorer materials, or cut corners in manufacturing. Personally I have heard a lot of comments about the poor quality foreign steel they use. After the big investment of buying a nice, new jeep, are you really going to cut corners and put a crappy lift on it...? If you go with the RK 2.5 and put some good shocks on it, I used the fox monotube for a good economical option, you will be highly satisfied.

 

I was enticed by Rough Country's prices and then did a search on here for them. It seems there are a lot of people who are saying it should be stayed away from. I have no experience with lifts so I can only ask questions and trust my gut. I have limited my brands to rock krawler, full traction, AEV, terraflex. Seems like I don't need a system which comes with new control arms given how I plan on using the rig.

 

Bottom line just like almost everything else in the world YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
OK now that I have that out of the system LOL 2.5 will fit 35's and give you less maintenance issues in the long run. RK or AEV would be great for a DD. As for needing all 8 control arms I would say for a 3.5 on a DD to get the best on road manners the answer is yes. For a 2.5 I think you can get away with lowers. The key is if you lift your jeep and can not adjust your castor you will find that the jeep does not handle as well. It will feel flighty and wander on the road. Braking will be a hassle as it will feel like it pulls a little.
Do it right the first time and save yourself the grief my .02 Go with the RK 2.5 mid arm or AEV and get the control arm brackets.

 

sorry, gonna have to disagree with that. the AEV 3.5" kit cost way more than a rancho 4" sport kit and the later is much better kit that is similar in design but comes with much beefier brackets. trust me, this an instance where all you are paying for is a brand name that is good at marketing.

in all fairness, not everyone feels the need to adjust their caster after installing a lift but, i would agree that it will benefit your handling and, is a good thing to do. lower front control arms alone will help make this possible and is in my opinion, the better way to go. with relocation brackets, why spend all that money lifting your jeep just to purposely and significantly lower a point that gets hit all the time on the rocks.

well, in my opinion, "doing it right the first time" would be to not run either one of these kits as if you're like most people, you'll graduate from them and spend more money on a better kit sooner than later. but hey, that's just me.

 

Welcome to the world of lift kits... Everyone has opinions, and valid points! Good luck with your decision, and understand the most important aspect... What sounds like a good build plan today can change in an instant. You may aspire to have the worlds most bitchin' mall crawler, and 8 months later you go joe rock crawler.