Hello all,

After buying my 2014 JK AEV a couple weeks ago, I have stripped off the 2.5 AEV lift (It was a really good deal on a 2014 AEV that made sense) and added the BDS 6.5 Long Arm kit, some drive train work being done, and some Trail Grappler 37's as well.

I am itching to get out and play on the rocks and in the mud in Uwharrie, but I need to get at least a bit of protection.

Friends have sold me on Poison Spyder as the way to go, but I am looking for advice all around on the benefits of frame vs body for the rockers; and steel vs aluminum for corners and body armor. Any others suggestions you would have me look at as well that are needed in "Phase 1". (Side note, lets not let the wife know there is more than 1 phase please).

Thanks all.

 

First off, welcome to the forum.

Now, it looks like you've got the Rubi rails already installed. Just get the add on kit and you should be good to go. From what I've read, those things hold up pretty well on there own. As far as the rest goes, haven't a clue. Might want to think about some diff. protection though. Never know what's gonna be lurking in the mud for you to wail into.

I will say this, in all reality, if you aren't planning on driving your rig sideways up a rock garden/obstacle, there's not much use for corner guards for beginner/intermediate level trails. That's just my opinion on them things.

Here's a link to added protection for the rocker guards. ACE JK Rock Sliders (4 Door) You can just bolt em on right over the rubi rails.

 

Holy crap, I didn't know a lift that tall was made for the JK! 2.5" is all you need for 37s, but that ship has sailed.

Corner armor and fenders are good stuff. Poison Spyder or MetalCloak as they are connected to the frame. Aluminum is lighter and if you don't plan to wheel it hard, it's fine. I abuse my stuff and use the metal fenders to pivot and get in off camber situations where the fenders hit rocks. I'd have damaged the aluminum fenders with ease.

As for rock rails, same applies. You have a 4 door and are much more at risk to damage of playing in the rocks. If rocks are on your list at all, frame mounted sliders are the only logical option. And definitely stay far away from sliders mounted to the body mount bolts such as the ACE noted above (great for mall crawling though - they can handle a lot of curb abuse). LoD, EVO, Shrockworks. Good options. Rubi rails are flexy, flexy, but great if you want to add curves to the body.

 

Thanks guys.

While it will be my everyday driver, the last thing I want is a strictly "show" Jeep; function and protection without wrapping the Jeep in bubble wrap before I go on the rocks

 

Bubble wrap, well there's an idea... and if you get bored while waiting in the back of the convoy you have popability.

 

A 6.5" long arm suspension kit --> with a drop pitman ?

In addition to the ones mentioned by invest, the sliders by VKS fabrication are getting some decent reviews on a few forums they are sponsors of. Though I still haven't found a website for them.

 

If the last thing you want is a show jeep, you may want to consider bringing it back down to a reasonable height. Are you familiar with the concept of having a low center of gravity? Plus those 37's are going to look like rollerskates when you're up that high. I've got 37's on 4 inches of lift and I'm looking at going for less lift.

 

There is a picture on the original post; do they look like roller-skates to you?

 

Yeah. Like I said, I'm 2" lower and I think they look small on mine. That's a matter of taste though. What isn't a matter of taste is how high a 6" lift is putting your center of gravity which is not ideal for playing in rocks. Again, I've had tippy moments on a 4" lift, I don't want to think about the outcome if I were 2 inches higher.

 

Technically BDS lists it as a 4-6.5 in lift kit. I've done the Teraflex 4.5 on my TJ and was happy, but with this 4-door JK, I'm looking to go a different direction.

I'm not concerned with the center of gravity the way it sits.