OME 2" vs AEV 2.5"

[brianjwilson]

The AEV accessories are very overpriced. I personally think there are better quality bumpers for much less, but to each his own. The springs/shocks are the best part, along with the suspension geometry.
If I started over again I'd get the shocks and springs and buy the rest from other sources, higher quality and less price. I ended up welding the front track bar bracket, replacing the drag link, and will replace the rear track bar. But I'm hard on my stuff.

 

[Idahoan]

I did the AEV 2.5" with the brackets. Awesome. No regrets. I have heard good things about OME though.

Agree on the bumpers and some of the other stuff. Wheels are very good quality but China built.

 

[redthies]

I talked to ARB today and they might warranty my springs due to the corrosion. That would be awesome! I will keep y'all posted on how it works out.

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

Being owned by Tenneco is no great recommendation...

Original equipment shocks are the worst available - they build them to be as cheap as possible to do a passable job on pavement. The Ranchos I've had in the past weren't much better, although it's been years since I spent my money on them. The last set I had turned the shafts blue on my '98 Taco. The RS5000 couldn't keep up with the Sway-A-Way front coilovers. They were replaced with Bilstein 5100, and the difference was night and day. That said, I've not owned a set of the newer series Ranchos, and probably won't - if I upgrade from the Blisteins, it will be King, Fox, or ICON.

AEV has all the testing data from Jeep, and can tune the shock to match the resonance inherent to the JK. Old Man Emu builds a fine product, but doesn't have that data, and it makes a difference.

Just to make a note here....I am going with an AEV 2.5" lift with Rancho 9000s on my next rig for certain reasons, but the bolded part is marketing BS. AEV claims their version of the 5100 is custom valved for their specs...even if that was true (not going to deny it) it makes zero sense because how do you tune a shock when a vehicle can have a 1500lb difference in gross weight, anywhere from a 32"-40" tire, etc. It makes zero sense and IMHO, just marketing. Just wanted to lay it all out there. As for your last sentence, you don't need data to build a quality suspension setup. What you need is a Jeep in front of you, and good engineers. If having the data would be the end all be all, stock suspension or AEV would be the best kits money can buy, and the fact is, they simply are not.

 

[toddz69]

If having the data would be the end all be all, stock suspension or AEV would be the best kits money can buy, and the fact is, they simply are not.

What, in your opinion, is the "best kit money can buy" for a JK?

Todd Z.

 

[TxJprs]

I was really happy with Teraflex springs and OME shocks on a TJ. I was really happy with OME springs and shocks on a JK. Haven't had AEV and don't knock them. Most likely Metalcloak with OME shocks will be going on my new 2014 JKUR.

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

What, in your opinion, is the "best kit money can buy" for a JK?

Todd Z.

If you have unlimited budget, the Evo Double Throwdown is probably the best kit you can get, followed by the evo coilovers, followed by the enforcer kit. AEV and Metal Cloak are also extremely well engineered kits.

 

[monkeyplunger]

I installed the AEV 2.5 on my 2013 jkur. I run stock wheels and tires. Eventually might goto 35's, but for now the stock setup with the lift works great. It handles great, rides great, and I have no complaints with the lift. The only issue I had were a couple of minor little things during install and that was due to out of date instructions. They have since updated and the lift is easy to install. I did it with a standard floor jack, 4 jack stands, and craftsman tool set with torque wrench. After I installed I brought it to a jeep dealer (which sells and intals AEV lift kits) and had tem check all the bolts and alignment. everything worked out well. I give it two thumbs up.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/92037-AEV-2-5-quot-lift-install/page6