So I have a friend who is willing to help me install a full suspension in his shop at no cost if I act relatively quickly to get it. My budget is up to about $1,500 - I'd prefer to spend a bit less than that, but don't want to cheap out and do it wrong either.

This is my normal daily driver and unfortunately I don't have as much time to go wheeling and when I do it's usually just forrest trails, mud and the occasional ditch to climb through - ground clearance is not (usually) a problem. The lift is for 2 reasons:

1 - appearance. I like the look of a lifted jeep
2 - I would like a bit more ground clearance from stumps and things like that where I do go offloading

As I said earlier, I like to do things right which is why i'm not looking at a budget boost, but trying to figure out what the better of all the options our there are and why.

So far the one that interests me the most is the AEV 3.5" DualSport SC Suspension System including:
Front and Rear Coil Springs
Bilstein 5100 front and rear Shocks
Front and Rear Bump Stops
Front and Rear Brake Line Brackets
Custom Rear Track Bar
Rear Axle Side Track Bar Bracket
Sway Bar Links
Front Control Arm Geometry Drop Brackets**
Front Axle Side Track Bar Bracket with Steering Stabilizer Mount
High Steer Drag Link
AEV Jack Base
Steering Stabilizer
AEV ProCAL Module

Quadratec has this kit for $1675 and while it's slightly higher than my budget I could sell the procal module (I have a super chips) and keep it in range of my budget. Is there a kit which gives me this much bang for my buck, or are there parts here that I do not need on a 3.5" lift?

Also if I did this I currently have 31.5" tires on the jeep, will it look absolutely ridiculous until I can change the tires to 33 or 35's? Probably 35's.

 

AEV you will be very happy. Not long ago I installed a 4.5 on my 08 JKU.

 

if you have a 2012 lifts over 2.5 will cause interference between the driveshaft and exhaust. the rock krawler max travel 2.5 has superior articulation and easily fits 35s

 

Look at Teraflex or Rock Krawler, 2.5 or 3. Either will clear 35s easily and you can get them with adjustable control arms vs brackets with AEV. There is certainly a love/hate relationship guys have with AEV due to the price and those brackets.

 

x2. I have the Teraflex 2.5 and like it a lot. I've heard nothing but good things about rock krawler too.

 

Okay so I looked at the 2 recommended so far and of them this one looks like it has the most value for $:

Rock Krawler Mid Arm Flex 3.5" System includes:
2 long travel linear front coil springs
Double adjustable front track bar made from 1.5” solid alloy steel
2 high clearance adjustable front lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Adjustable front sway bar disconnects
2 long travel linear rear coil springs
Precision welded rear track bar relocation bracket made from ¼” thick laser cut steel
2 high clearance adjustable rear lower control arms made of 1.625” solid alloy steel
Front and rear long travel stainless steel brake lines
Extended rear sway bar links
Hardware and detailed instructions.

At quadratic this is $1169 and i'm sure I'd have to shell out for new shocks on top of that but is this the system you all are talking about? The Teraflex ones seem like they are more in the 2.5k range with the adjustable control arms and disconnects.

 

My TF 3" netted over 4" total. Bought through Northridge 4x4, with 4 control arms and shocks was just under $1500. Have heard nothing but good things about RK.

 

I ordered the 2.5" teraflex coil lift. I believe it sells for 850ish. I slap orders adj front lower control arms and front adj track bar for around 1200. Call David at nirthridge 4x4. He is a lot of help.

 

ORW has the teraflex 2.5 coil lift with bilsteins on sale for $745 ... it comes with shocks, coils, rear trackbar drop bracket, rear brake line bracket, front and rear bump stops. You could then add your own extended front brake lines for less than $70, you can buy front and rear track bars (if needed) for less than $600. So you should have no problems getting a lift capiable of running 35's for under $1500 assuming free install

 

Full disclosure- I run AEV's 2.5" lift. Did the install by myself. For a sub $1k kit, I'm overall happy with it.

Everyone including me seems to love how well AEV lifts handle on-road, so if it truly is a dd then take taht into account. Also, if you really want to get familiar with your rig and this is your first rodeo, one of the benefits of all those brackets and recycling of stock components is that the install may be a bit more newb friendly.

That said, IMHO, I'd stay away from their 3.5" lift. For the price, there are other kits out there, some already mentioned, that give you more bang for your buck. Even though I'm ok with the route that I went, I'm dissappointed that AEV cut a lot of corners with their 2.5" kit to supposedly get it under a grand. You're paying a lot of money for what many will argue is great marketing (read: hype).