No matter what you do to mount your arms, the caster setting needs to be the same. Its a trade off between caster and drive line angle. So....drop brackets do nothing for this. What it does do is help make the ride smoother. They originally came out for a cheap alternative to long arms on XJ's. They have been using these drop brackets on XJ's for about six years now....nothing new.

 

These brackets were intended in order for the peeps not having to install a new front driveshaft or adjustable control arms. I bet that since thsese are now included in the kit to solve these problems, the front driveshaft and front UCA's that AEV displayed at SEMA will not be produced. I have the AEV kit, but elected to get a new front driveshaft, custom cut the front skid for max articulation and got Rock Krawler LCA's. I don't see how much it would improve the driving characteristics much except for hard braking and going over expansion joints. All in all, I am pleased and will not get these brackets. I have great ground clearance and it rides awesome. If you don't have the $$ for the front DS and LCA's or UCA's it seemes like a good option.

 

The drop is like 2" on one end and 5" on the other. They are nothing like the Rancho brackets. You bet wrong.

 

Do you have them installed? I like most of AEV's stuff but don't like the idea of drop brackets.

 

really? "nothing" like the rancho brackets?? funny, they sure as hell look pretty damn similar to me ....

 

Very similar but it does look like AEV drops the upper arm more.

 

hmmm, it's hard to tell from a cad drawing but, you might be right. if so, i'll be honest and say that i'm not sure what they hope to accomplish by changing the geometry of the control arms so that they aren't stock anymore. certainly, i'm not sure how that would help in the articulation department either. but, on either bracket, they look like one big rock target. can't imagine spending money to get my jeep up higher with the hopes of getting components out of the way just to lower it back down again. but hey, that's just me.

 

Well said and the lower front control arm is a place that is already very susceptible to trail damage.

 

What they accomplish is a lower instant center when braking and also more front squat, meaning under braking the body nose would dive more and the suspension would move up. To me that would seem to be more desirable on road than off.

 

right, i hear what you're saying but as you just said, this would be more desirable "on road" - not off road. also, with the geometry of the control arms being off like this, i can only imagine that it would adversely effect your axle articulation as well.