AEV 2.5" Dual Sport Lift Kit?

[ThatCherokeeGuy]

Anyone running this lift on their JKU's? From what I read, this a solid lift that provides good on road and off road handling. The on road handling is what I'm currently looking at because I drive about a 1 1/2 hours to and from work everyday so I need a lift that won't destroy me or the vehicle. My offroading really consists of light trails and beach wheeling, so I wouldn't need something with a lot of flex or wheel travel. Oh, and I was planning on throwing some 35x12.5 BFG all-terrains on there too.

 

[Bennyhana]

I'm running that lift on mine right now. Good solid lift and seems to handle loads pretty good. The main improvement I noticed is in cornering. The Jeep feels way more planted with less body roll. I'm still running the stock Rubi 32's and took on Moab with no issues. The only thing I didn't use was the front sway bar relocation brackets, I opt'd for longer links. I do think it is a tad bit overpriced for the parts you get though. Mine is a hand me down that I bought off a friend that upgraded.

 

[ThatCherokeeGuy]

Bennyhana,

Glad to hear that even a used AEV kit still performs great, I do agree with you that new kits are kind of over priced....i feel like that with most AEV products. But I guess it falls under that saying "you get what you pay for".

 

[dstock]

I was so impressed running this lift on my 2010, that I pulled it off and re-installed it on my 2013. I have a decent commute as well, and it handles really well across the board. Even loaded down with heavy bumpers, winch, RTT, etc, etc, it still handles great on and off the road.

I definitely feel you get what you pay for in this case and for me it was well worth it.

 

[conifers4]

I do not have first hand experience with the AEV setup but my good friend speaks highly of it. For him it is mostly a daily driver but just this past weekend he took his JKU to Rausch Creek off-road park and had zero complaints with the suspension.

 

[Timgco]

4th JK here. 3rd AEV kit. Very happy with the performance on road and off road. A true 35" tire will be very tight on a 4 door. A 2 Door they may fit a little better.

If you are looking into a 315 AT or 33" tire, you will be able to flex it up with little trimming.

Here's what you need: Aev 2.5" SC lift, Geometry correction brackets (these will get your handling back to stock feeling) and a Procal to adjust your tires size.

If you are going to use stock wheels, you'll need to pair Spidertrax wheel spacers. 33's you won't have to change out to a rear tire carrier. 35's you do.

 

[DallasJKU]

I run the kit with 315 Duratracs and a very light Jeep. It handles corners very well. Still rides like a Jeep though so don't think it won't.

 

[Idahoan]

I'm running the 2.5" with geometry correction brackets on my 2013... Really pleased with the handling and ride. I have 34" on AEV wheels.

 

[ThatCherokeeGuy]

Is the geometry correction bracket included in the kit?

 

[daveh]

It is a separate item.

 

[daryn1979]

Another option, if you're interested, would be to look at Rock Krawler's 2.5" Flex System. For about the same price as AEV DualSport XT + Geometry Brackets ($1059), you get the lower control arms instead of brackets. I've heard great things about their triple-rate springs- so much that I ordered a set of their 1.5" springs for my '12 JKUR. River City Offroad sells the lift complete with a set of Bilstein 5100s, and if you call Marcus, he will likely give you a better deal than what's listed online.

The only real difference I can see between the two kits is that the AEV comes with bumpstops and correction brackets, while the RK kit comes with LCAs and you have to determine your own bumpstops. I'm not sure how AEV measures their actual spring height, but RK measures based on an up-fitted 4dr with steel bumpers/tire carrier/armor.

Again, just an option- we all like to get confused when we think we have our mind made up!

 

[irish1371]

question on the aev lift. does it set the nose slightly down or even with the rear?

 

[Bennyhana]

Mine kind of kept a little rake towards the front. Not as noticable as the stock rake but it's about 1/2 to 3/4" difference between the front and the the rear of the rock sliders. What it did get rid of was the passenger side lean with a full tank.

 

[Idahoan]

Mine has a slight rake with the 2.5". I have read that a pile of folks don't like any rake but on older jeeps I always custom arc'd the springs to get a slight rake. Usually went for 1" on a 3-4" lift. I always felt it improved handling and looked better. Did seem to minimize the saggy lean to one side look.

 

[Cole]

Another option, if you're interested, would be to look at Rock Krawler's 2.5" Flex System. For about the same price as AEV DualSport XT + Geometry Brackets ($1059), you get the lower control arms instead of brackets. ....


The only real difference I can see between the two kits is that the AEV comes with bumpstops and correction brackets, while the RK kit comes with LCAs and you have to determine your own bumpstops.

I've had both the RK and the AEV on the same JK. Night and day difference. The truth is in the engineering!


You might get more blingy parts with the RK but you get much more performance IMO with the AEV.