AEV 2.5" lift install

[monkeyplunger]

Ordered the AEV 2.5" lift over the holidays and will be installing it in two weekends. I have reviewed the instructions and compiled the recommended tools. Wanted to check in and see what others experience was and if there were any tools overlooked or added which would make the install easier or more efficient.


Also wanted to know what you did for alignment - what shop did you take it too, what specs did you use?

Please post your experiences with the kit. Thanks & happy new year!

 

[jscusmcvet]

MP,

I have not done an AEV lift, but most lifts are installed in the same manner. A couple notes:
- PB Blaster is your friend, even if your jeep is newer, it cannot hurt to spray things down to clean it up a bit.
- Working alone, I always run into the axle, especially the rear, noot drooping enough to get the springs in. On my last lift I used a bottle jack between the axle and frame and that worked out well.
- Among your tools make sure to have a crowbar and a heavy ratchet strap. Sometimes lining up holes, etc... on the jeep takes a little "persuasion".

Good luck to you. Doing the work yourself is the best way to learn how your suspension works.

John

 

[daveh]

Check out the AEV forum. There is a 40+ page thread regarding the 2.5" lift. Good luck.

 

[Martyn]

Did you also buy the geometry correction brackets? If not I'd recommend you do. Makes a big difference to handling.

We have nothing but good things to say about this lift. Improves the ride and handling dramatically over stock.

The AEV instructions are very detailed and accurate. Using a lift the install takes 6-7 man hours most of it can be done by one person, some parts easier with two.

 

[coguzzi]

i did this lift, with correction brackets over thankgiving. top notch product and had no hang ups other than breaking my torque wrench on the multiple 125ftlb bolts. i also used a ratchet strap to pull thing in and hold the opposite wrench when torqueing said bolts. handles awesome and i did not redo an alignments, sterring wheel is barely noticable off center.

 

[DallasJKU]

I also ordered this kit. I will be doing install next week sometime. Hoping everything goes smoothly. Good luck, OP. Post some pics and review when finished.

 

[Anonymark]

I did this lift last year. Took me about 12 hours, by myself. The only two major obstacles I had were the front passenger side shock and a few of the bolts. The front shock i needed to use a dremel to get access to the top of the nut to tighten the new shock.( You will see exactly what I mean once you get there!) A few of the bolts when I did the control arms were stuck stuck stuck! A good PB Blaster soak before you start will help. I used a jacks on the rear axle to make the springs easier to get in. I'm still happy with the ride, and after doing the lift, I know my suspension inside and out. Good luck!

 

[crawler#976]

On a '12 JKUR, the front passenger's side shock is easily installed by cutting off the lip of the battery tray with a hand held piece of hack saw blade. Without removing the lip, it's virtually impossible to tighten the shock. I ended up removing the plastic after the kit was installed. The nut came loose after the initial install.

 

[Martyn]

i did this lift, with correction brackets over thankgiving. top notch product and had no hang ups other than breaking my torque wrench on the multiple 125ftlb bolts. i also used a ratchet strap to pull thing in and hold the opposite wrench when torqueing said bolts. handles awesome and i did not redo an alignments, sterring wheel is barely noticable off center.

I would recommend you realign to get the steering wheel centered. If it's off center it can cause fault codes and erratic behavior. The Electronic Stability Control will think you are in a slide and activate the Brake Assist Control system.

 

[brianjwilson]

The install is fairly straight forward, just follow the directions, loosen the control arm bolts during install, and re-torque everything once it's sitting on its own weight again.
A ratchet strap can help re-align the track bar as stated.
Toe shouldn't need to be adjusted (unless it was off before), and the steering wheel is easily adjusted. Simply loosen the pinch bolts on the drag link and rotate the adjuster sleeve until the steering wheel is straight, with the wheels pointed straight ahead, tighten pinch bolts. Not centering the wheel can cause problems and even put mine into limp mode when I didn't have it adjusted correctly.

 

[jaxs1984]

I would recommend you realign to get the steering wheel centered. If it's off center it can cause fault codes and erratic behavior. The Electronic Stability Control will think you are in a slide and activate the Brake Assist Control system.

I had the same problem with the ESC / BAC system. My local shop couldn't reset the code and had to take it to the dealership to have it reset for $$.

 

[crawler#976]

The AEV ProCal will do the steering along with the multitude of other great functions. If you are planning on going up a tire size, it's required for the '12 plus Jeeps.

 

[monkeyplunger]

All of this information is great. Today i received the control arm brackets, but the rest of the kit has not arrived yet. Do not know the eta. I will try and post installation pictures. The problem i have have is that i have lofty ambitions to document the installation but when the tools come out the camera gets forgotten. I did do a comprehensive photo documentation when i installed the frankelift on my CRD liberty. It only made it to a detailed PDF but not posted on a forum. I will make a better attempt to share the knowledge.

My plan so far is to install the kit myself and then take the jeep to a jeep dealer in phoenix and get the alignment checked. I don't mind paying for the service as i know it will be done right. I was planning to take it to a dealer (bill luke) who sells AEV jeeps.

Hopefully the rest of the kit will arrive soon, but knowing my luck it will arrive well after it is convenient for me to install.

 

[monkeyplunger]

Does anyone know which washers go where for the control arm drop brackets? The instructions are not clear and I could not find an answer on the aev forum.

 

[Jkfisher84]

I could run down and take a pic! give me a SEC