Hey all.

Ive researched countless threads and found a few promising threads regarding AEV's lift. I just bought a 2014 Sahara. I had a 07' JKU with 2.5" spacer lift and dual steering stabalizer on the front. It drove like absolute trash and I do not want to make the same mistakes as I previously did. I want to pay attention to the underside of my jeep more this time. I notice it does not come with new control arms and Id like to get a complete lift and do everything Im "suppose" to do to prevent death wobble and crappy steering. I want to throw 36" BFG KM2's on it. Dont start off any threads with, oh - no lift is the best lift crap, because you arent helping me at all your an idiot. Please post with usedul information from experienced jeepers. Thank you.

 

I'm running their 2.5" lift now and I love it. The ride and handling with my 34" tires is amazing. I know a lot of people say it's overpriced but with how I drive and what I've done it was worth every penny. The geometry brackets really made a big difference with the handling. I added the fox ats stabilizer and WOW. Yeah I know it's not a sports car but it's as close as you can get.

 

Starting off with a bunch of attitude may not be your best bet for getting helpful answers.

Open the threads stuck right to the top of this modified area.

Why do you think you need adj control arms? The brackets that come with that lift are designed to not only correct the caster, but also lessen the steep angles. You can run both, you just don't need to.

To prevent deathwobble, you need to install the lift correctly and make sure your components are not worn. Read through the writeup suggested in the reply to your post in the other thread...

To prevent crappy steering, you need to learn what causes that crappy steering and which components correct which issues. Without knowing specifically which 'crappy steering' issue you are referring to, can't really help with that.

 

Make sure the kits your looking at have the basic components needed at that lift height... adjustable control arms or relocation brackets, adjustable track bar or relocation brackets (if the later make sure they are correcting the drag link angle to match the new track bar angle), brake lines, sway bar links and so on. If you have any questions about our kits feel free to ask as well! Good luck with the build.

RK

 

Nthinuf, just going off of EVERY thread I have looked at with that one person who says, "Stock is the best ride". I dont think that should alter anyones response unless thats your mindset. From what I have read, relocating the control arms isnt always the best option. I was basically asking if its sufficient or if its a cheap roundabout way to getting the job done. I dont know how else to put crappy steering, so you got me there...im trying to look for another synonym....bad, shaky, loose. I know theres a better answer than, install it correctly.

 

It appears to have everything needed in that aspect. Is there any benefit to getting new control arms over using the relocation brackets?

 

Sounds good! Im glad I found someone who is running the setup and enjoys the ride. Any downsides you experienced with the install or the driving after the install?

 

Adjustability is a benefit. That would be the best way to make sure you are able to get the suspension set up correctly.

 

The negative comments you will see about the ca brackets is that they hang lower and can get hung up on rocks. The positive is that they adjust caster, and they lessen the steep angles which can give a better ride. The plus to adjustable arms is - their adjustability. The brackets will have a few different holes (settings) so you can tilt the housing to get x or y or z caster. The adjustable arms allow for more fine tuning. Maybe you load your JK down with a bunch of weight or go to taller/shorter coils and the caster changes a bit, you can get much finer gradations of caster rather than the 1degree increments (or whatever the actual number is) that the brackets provide. Also, with a second set of arms, you have the ability to move the entire axle forward/backward in the wheel well, and even adjust the thrust angle if needed.

And installing correctly, or incorrectly, is probably the biggest issue for steering problems. If the bolts aren't torqued, the trackbar moves around and ovals the holes out. Or the drop pitman is used without also installing the bracket that goes with it, or one of them is removed without also removing the other. Or the drop pitman is not torqued. Or the cam bolts slip. Or the trackbar and ca bolts are not loosened, then re-tightened on the ground with full vehicle weight on the jeep. Or the tires are way over-inflated. Or the adj arms are not actually adjusted and just thrown on at whatever length they are already set to. Or whatever. Guess what? It isn't the lifts fault. Much of it can be laid right at the feet of the person who did the install, or the owner who hasn't got a clue. Just because you bought lift A instead of lift B, nope, that's generally not the cause of bad, shaky, loose, crappy steering.

 

I have a 2014 Sahara 4dr with 3.73 gears. decided on the 3.5 AEV after concerns regarding its my daily driver 90% of time. the street ride is fantastic, wife was very surprised it road better than stock (no body roll).. I did go with the D rated 35 inch GY Duratrac's due to the softer sidewall which makes it a lighter tire and my concerns regarding the 3.73 gears and acceleration. very happy with that combo (did the method 17 inch mesh rims).

additionally I should add, I really was leaning toward the AEV 2.5 lift with duratrac 35's and easily would've gone that route without looking back. however, about 50% of photos I saw of the AEV 2.5 lift I still noticed a slight factory rake still remaining after the lift. (just a pet peeve for me with the rake) Also, I figured by adding the price of the procal, the geo brackets, and jack base (which are included in the 3.5" lift) I felt the extra inch including those products AND the addition of the High steer kit which is included in the 3.5 kit, was worth the extra bucks.

an odd outcome I experienced in the 3.5 inch kit when completed was a very slight nose up outcome! (opposite rake so to speak) I'll be running my jeep stock bumpers, no winch, etc.. so maybe with extra weight up front folks add, usually drops the nose a smidge or maybe it just needs some settling. (had it done now for about 4 weeks) regardless the ride is fantastic! the 3.5 definitely rides bigger (I'm 6 foot) and its way up their. wife and passengers struggle a bit getting in (only down side)... it seems the guys with Rubi's haven't seen the nose up result, but I have heard of another Sahara or sport with that result. (could it be the difference in the rubi's?) but please don't get me wrong its very so slight!

I think had I been assured the 2.5 would've been level after the install, I would've elected to go that route. (the folks with 2.5 say they ride like a go cart!) and remember I'm a daily driver, so I wanted functionality with looks, and street performance! however, my jeep looks badass at 3.5 35's, so I aint complaining! it seems the 2.5 lift without extra weight from bumpers and winch yields about 3 inches of lift and looks equally cool! just wanted to give you a different thought process! good luck!