Why not AEV?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo, CA
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I can't speak for AEV lifts in kit form but i had the AEV highline kit, with a OME franken lift, on my 04 Rubi, It was very heavy, corners, full skids, garvin carrier with rack and can carriers, front LOD bumper and winch, hardtop.....plus loaded with camping gear for 2 people for almost a week long trip. The fronts were 2.5 inch OME HDs, the rear were 2.5 inch LJ springs since the HDs didn't hold the weight well enough. Bilstein 5100 shocks, all 8 JKS control arms, Currie front track bar/Anti Rock, rear RE track bar.......later went to Currie control arms......the OME springs just weren't up to the weight i guess and the axle would find the bumpstops often especially at higher speeds.....it was really annoying....so i finally swapped out the OME springs for AEV 3 inch progressive springs......and wow is all i can say the ride was so much better, loaded up the springs would hardly sag, i loved them.....and also the Highline kit in my opinion was top notch as well. I really like AEV stuff......over the years of messing with Jeeps and other 4x4s.....i've found the keep it simple stupid approach works well.....Maybe if i was running the King of the Hammers run i'd look for something else or if my Jeep was a trailer queen or not a DD there may be better choices...but If/when i lift my JK it will be an AEV 2.5 with the brackets........My .02....and no i don't work for AEV.....
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee - Georgia
But thanks for all the help here! Seriously, it's been very helpful
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 1
From: SLC, Utah
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Attleboro, MA
My main objection to brackets is that instead of adding strength in an area where more strength is needed, AEV instead introducing a point of weakness where weakness was already a problem. And to add insult to injury, geometry correcting brackets are clearly not as strong as they could be if they were properly boxed, so in a way AEV compromised strength twice. It is fair to point out that other designs add strength where AEV compromises it. AEV could have, and in my opinion should have made the brackets as strong as possible to minimize the impact to strength. This is an off-road vehicle after all not a street car.
It is also fair to point out that long arm lifts reduce the impact on on-road handling due to lifts by making the control arms more horizontal. But then again long arms also introduce clearance issues of their own. So the debate over pros and cons on every possible modification drives ever increasing numbers of threads on JK forum and we all get to talk to each other and hopefully learn a thing or two, and possibly make a friend or two in the process.
It is also fair to point out that long arm lifts reduce the impact on on-road handling due to lifts by making the control arms more horizontal. But then again long arms also introduce clearance issues of their own. So the debate over pros and cons on every possible modification drives ever increasing numbers of threads on JK forum and we all get to talk to each other and hopefully learn a thing or two, and possibly make a friend or two in the process.
Congrats to the OP on the decision too.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Will do for sure. I will take lots of before and after photos. Trying now to figure out if this is a lift I am gonna try and tackle myself or find a shop to do. I called around today in the Phoenix area and to my surprise am having a hard time finding a shop with experience installing AEV lifts. Not that it probably is any different than any other lift just thought it would be nice. Just follow the directions im sure. The couple places that said they would do it want between 800-1000 to install so doing it myself is sounding better. Trying to find the time is the hardest part and is also my dd. Anyone installed the 3.5" with steer kit? If so can you chime in and let me know what I am up against. Difficulty of install and time it takes? Thanks
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 1
From: SLC, Utah
I have not installed one but I have looked at the instructions. If you have installed a lift before the steps are straight forward. The SC kit does not look that bad either. It might not be bad to have a friend on hand to help out but you could probably do it yourself. There are also write ups on the Web that will help. If I were doing it, I would plan a full weekend to get it done. If you were not so far away, I would say come to my garage as I have air tools.
I've driven lots linear spring lifts, including long arm kits, and I would love to see just how those progressive springs, brackets, and that SC kit perform on and off road.
I've driven lots linear spring lifts, including long arm kits, and I would love to see just how those progressive springs, brackets, and that SC kit perform on and off road.