"Bruce" the 2014 Jeep JKUR Build Thread

[kojackJKU]

again, I think the best route is a spacer leveling/lift, and airbags in the rear. Yeah, you may have to fiddle with the airbags, but at least you get what you want from carrying capacity.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Good thing you got Bruce from Stevens Creek when you did. A week later I was looking for that JKRU over there for the wife because it was still on the internet inventory. She has to settle for a silver Hard Rock Edition JKRU.

Sounds like we have the same goals in mind as far a use of the vehicle. I have a 05 Rubicon Unlimited with long arms and 35s for heavy trails but we wanted something a little more comfy for exploring around the west.

They had 2 or 3 of them. They sold one before I got there. There might have been one left. But it also might have been anvil color.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

again, I think the best route is a spacer leveling/lift, and airbags in the rear. Yeah, you may have to fiddle with the airbags, but at least you get what you want from carrying capacity.

That wouldn't solve the current issues.

Break over angle (even 35s only improve break over by 1.5" at most).

Cargo/load capacity

High speed highway/ trail swaying.

I've heard that the AEV shocks are overly stuff. Maybe that's where the fox shocks come in.

 

[kojackJKU]

well if a leveling 2" lift, and bags don't do it for you. I think you will need a 4" lift at which point you can go arb, AEV and Teraflex. Teraflex has an expedition lift with extended weight capacity springs. I agree that their springs are soft, but that is for hardcore off roading, not overlanding. their overlanding kit is made to take the weight.

 

[Comanche Scott]

I forwarded the email conversation to northridge who have been brokering this return. They said I shouldn't have to pay shipping charges. So we'll see.

We didn't go into that much detail. I said I was looking for 1" lift, maintain factory rake and have a stiffer rear spring rate to handle 200-300lb load. I don't think teraflex designs for over landing use.

A friend works at fox. And I overland with his brother often. They suggest the AEV lift with their shocks to smooth out the harshness of the bilstein shocks. That's probably the best combo for over landing a JKUR right now.

That sounds like a pretty good plan. I take it they tune the shock to work with the spring rates of the AEV system?

JKS makes a sway bar for the TJ, that would be awesome, if it was made for the rear of a JK. Switch it up stiff for fire roads and tarmac with a load, then flip the bars for unloaded use/articulation. Would make a great overland solution, with the big racks and RTTs, etc.
http://jksmfg.com/i-8938510-switchblade-swaybar-system.html

 

[kojackJKU]

They are still off the shelf. Why not get KINGS valved for your application. You would have the ultimate then. I was under the understanding that you were fine with the height of the jeep besides the sag with the teraflex lift spring. That's why I said, go back to stock springs, bags and add a spacer lift like the TF 2.5" or leveling kit. But it seems you want the jeep much higher in the middle than that would allow for, therefore a BIG lift is needed. 4" by a reputable company would be your goal I would think.

 

[spressomon]

^ The JKS adjustable tension sway bar is interesting. How does it do after a few years and thousands of miles of road/trail silt...and water?

 

[Comanche Scott]

^ The JKS adjustable tension sway bar is interesting. How does it do after a few years and thousands of miles of road/trail silt...and water?

My WAG, since I have no first hand experience, is that it would depend on the maintenance, like any other suspension component.
If they ever decided to make one for the rear of the JK, it would be interesting to check out, especially if they offered a few different rates.

 

[O.R.T.]

Sorry to hear things turned out that way w TerraFlex. Glad though to hear you are planning to go w AEV or ARB. (Avoiding saying TYS.) I've a couple friends at Fox myself, and yes, definitely consider going AEV w Fox/Remotes. Way more tunable to your needs.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

That sounds like a pretty good plan. I take it they tune the shock to work with the spring rates of the AEV system?

JKS makes a sway bar for the TJ, that would be awesome, if it was made for the rear of a JK. Switch it up stiff for fire roads and tarmac with a load, then flip the bars for unloaded use/articulation. Would make a great overland solution, with the big racks and RTTs, etc.
http://jksmfg.com/i-8938510-switchblade-swaybar-system.html

That's interesting. After wheeling such a heavy, stiff rig for so long, I don't mind stiff suspension as long as I'm not lifting wheels unnecessarily or snapping sway bar links.

I just read about AEVs shocks being too soft now. Must've very subjective. I'm trying to avoid the hassle of remote reservoir shocks. Spressmon scared me away from them earlier this year.

 

[zigsrig]

Not sure if you play on installing your lift yourself or not, but the shop i went with for my lift install (A local Colorado owned company that sells a ton of AEV stuff) lets you drive one of their employees rigs if you have any questions. Pretty cool if you ask me to just let you jump behind the wheel of their personal JK and take it for a spin. Driving an AEV 3.5" lifted JK around, then mine when it was stock, sold me on the lift. IMHO, it was all around a better ride. I also drove 2 other rigs (friends JK's) with other brand's 3-4" lifts. Again, IMHO, the AEV was WAY better for what i wanted and make my JK a pleasure to drive on a daily basis.

 

[west_ok]

Awesome build you have going Klaus I also managed to snatch up one of the last Granite Crystals. I will back up what some of the others have suggested. I went with the 3.5" AEV lift w/Bilsteins on both of my JKUR's and have been extremely satisfied with the ride and load handling. While the Fox shocks may be an improvement I definitely wouldn't think it would be worth replacing the brand new Bilsteins that come with the lift. When it comes time to replace shocks it may be worth looking into.


B.J.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Awesome build you have going Klaus I also managed to snatch up one of the last Granite Crystals. I will back up what some of the others have suggested. I went with the 3.5" AEV lift w/Bilsteins on both of my JKUR's and have been extremely satisfied with the ride and load handling. While the Fox shocks may be an improvement I definitely wouldn't think it would be worth replacing the brand new Bilsteins that come with the lift. When it comes time to replace shocks it may be worth looking into.


B.J.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My thoughts exactly. What size tires do you all run with your 3.5" lifts? I was comparing the 2.5 and 3.5 today. While I don't want to make the mistake I made with my first land cruiser of going too small, I also want to retain decent mpg and daily drivability. So I was planning on looking for something in the 34x10.5" 55lbs range and retaining the stock wheels. I think that would look perfect with 2.5" lift but a little small with the 3.5. Plus the 3.5 is a bit more expensive and the parking decks in LA tend to be short <6'6"

 

[kojackJKU]

My thoughts exactly. What size tires do you all run with your 3.5" lifts? I was comparing the 2.5 and 3.5 today. While I don't want to make the mistake I made with my first land cruiser of going too small, I also want to retain decent mpg and daily drivability. So I was planning on looking for something in the 34x10.5" 55lbs range and retaining the stock wheels. I think that would look perfect with 2.5" lift but a little small with the 3.5. Plus the 3.5 is a bit more expensive and the parking decks in LA tend to be short <6'6"

37's with 3.5" of lift. ha ha!

What 3.5" are you looking at?

 

[daveh]

It seems almost every JK I've seen with a 3.5 is running 35s. 35" is also pretty standard for people running the AEV 2.5" lift. I chose to go with the 2.5 and 34s. 285/75-17.