Jk Build A or B

[jktowhere]

So I am torn. I have read a few forums and you go on AEV and t's all AEV 3.5. Go on JKowners and its all RK 3.5. To (fingers crossed) keep this on track, these are the only two kits I am looking at. I will run 35's and live in Colorado. Big rock crawling was a thing of the past. Became to slow to wait in line in my last rig, wife hates it and I was alllllllways tinkering something. My goal is to build the vehicle for expedition (drive around the country, moab etc, alaska and maybe in 5 or so years ((once paid off)) to South America which is a dream.) It was to easy to work on the jeep every weekend last time and not spend time out exploring.

Option A

AEV all the way around, bumpers etc etc etc. AEV 3.5. I love the look of the lines, clean style. I like it.

Option B
RK 3.5, Nemisis Flares, PSC Bralwer Light and AEV rear. (would cost just as much but is it really needed?)

I have had both lift kits in my cart ready to buy, but every time I just can't hit the submit button. AEV I really like, but will it be enough. RK sounds like its nice, but not as nice on the road. Is it worth given up that quality? I will go camp in places that take a bit of leg work to get to so I just want to make sure I don't buy one and regret it with such long drives planned. I know this is the question everyone ask that always gets derailed, but I have not seen it yet on this board regarding only this two lifts and our style of exploring.

 

[Hilldweller]

One vote for RK.

 

[Rynomar]

I can only comment on the 3.5" AEV lift, but I have been really happy with it. I installed mine in February and have put 15,000 miles on it. This is my only vehicle, so I wanted something that was good on the road and capable off-road. The lift has much less body roll than stock and is very predictable and solid on the road. Offroad, I have been very happy with it as well. I am comfortable pushing it in the corners on open dirt roads and have not had a single issue with it on the more technical rocky stuff I have done.

AEV designed the lifts to utilize many factory parts because of the durability and testing that went into those parts. This really benefits on road performance and probably does limit off road performance some, but there are always going to be tradeoffs. Heim joints will give you more flex than factory bushings, but require more maintenance and will not work as well on the highway. Factory bushings will be lower maintenance and better on the road, but not hold up as long to continued offroad flexing.

I feel like I can get plenty of flex out of my AEV lift for any of the trails I am interested in doing. On top of that, I have no issues driving 600 miles in a weekend to go get on the trails to play!

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Hilldweller]

I just don't like some of the AEV way of doing things when you get offroad. Like the control arm drop brackets ---- it seems too easy to clunk them.
And their front bumber is pretty heavy.
I don't know; it's hard to pick. You really gotta consider it all.

 

[Metcalf]

For 35s I would run the AEV 2.5. This will most likely keep your from trying to squeak on 37s later

If your going to keep it mild, jeep it mild. The factory platform works just fine for what you are saying. Personally. I wouldn't get carried away with tons of heavy bolt on parts.....

 

[Hilldweller]

Yeah, but even for 35s I'd want to sleeve and gusset the front axle.
And as long as you're doing that....

...see what I'm sayin'?

 

[jaxs1984]

For 35s I would run the AEV 2.5. This will most likely keep your from trying to squeak on 37s later

If your going to keep it mild, jeep it mild. The factory platform works just fine for what you are saying. Personally. I wouldn't get carried away with tons of heavy bolt on parts.....

That's exactly why I settled on 2.5 with 33' and I'm really happy with the setup.

 

[Septu]

Here's a thread on AEV lifts on JKOwners. There's a bunch of bashing, but there some decent info in there as well. If it allows you to make an informed decision, then all the better.

Here's two comments that would seem to apply:

AEV doesn't do anything for me. All you're doing is adding travel to parts that weren't designed to travel in that large of a range of motion, mainly the control arm bushings. Expose those bushings to the limits (and beyond) enough times and they'll start to separate from the steel sleeve, rendering that bushing and its ability to constrain the axle completely useless. AEV has nothing to do with the fact that the axle will droop as far as the shocks allow. If all you're looking for is a simple, functional way to gain some more clearance for larger tires so that you can hit some trails and stick with a stock-like ride then AEV is a decent option. But in no way are you gaining the finer characteristics that many appreciate--increased durability, less deflection/movement of the axles, more allowable misalignment, quieter and smoother operation, etc.

It wasn't meant to be a knock, just to straighten out the direction of the discussion. You're exactly right, and I agree with you, that the parts that AEV does send along are good parts--great coils and great shocks. But in no way would I consider that a complete and proper suspension overhaul, as they try to make it sound. Most of the factory weaknesses are still in place and not addressed. Is it a good start? Sure. Could that same 'good start' be done with similar-quality components for less money? Sure. What many people, especially JK owners, have trouble seeing is that kits aren't the only answer. Most manufacturers don't have desirable products across the board. If you want to set your JK up with a great suspension, you have to look further than springs, shocks, bump stops and brackets and further than AEV.

Entire thread is here: http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1337962#post1337962

 

[Hilldweller]

That's exactly why I settled on 2.5 with 33' and I'm really happy with the setup.

That's what I did too. I think that 33s are plenty if you're really "overlanding".
Even though I've got 34s now ---- but that's a Power Wagon...

 

[toymaster]

I am far from an AEV lift kit fan but, from what you described the kit is made for your kind of need. The only thing that give me pause is the cost of the AEV for what you actually get. For the same money you can get a kit with better all around performance with the trade-off being more maintenance.

If you want to be the set-it-and-forget-it type then AEV may be the one for you.

The bumpers and fenders are up to the look you want. If you get a 3.5" lift and stay with 35s then I would not go flat fenders. The extra visible fender well will make you want 37s. Besides full fenders and bumpers work well with expo rigs. The bumpers, past being a platform for a winch and tire carrier, should be the style you like. Lastly, c-gussets, sleeves or truss, and balljoints need to be done for added security and peace of mind.

 

[TexasTJ]

I would say AEV if you looking to have an all around do it all jeep... (overland/Hard Offroad) If you think your going to be doing more Rock crawling you might want to look in to other options... That said I have always been a closed fender full body kind of guy so I really like how a JK with all AEV gear looks.

Only Knowledge of Rock Krawler stuff is from Tj, and I can only say that my buddy Cam stopped selling there stuff because he got tired of rewedding control arm brackets and trusses back on the truck. There Arms are hella strong, but a truck with a bent arm/ bracket is easier to get home than one with the axle brackets ripped off. I don't know if they still make there control arm solid.

 

[slvyj]

I have the same questions about aev lift and have read countless threads on other forums. My Jk is my daily driver used for exploring on weekends. I've started looking at Metalcloak, cheaper then aev and well thought out. Another thread they hint at development of a system for over landing.

 

[Septu]

I have the same questions about aev lift and have read countless threads on other forums. My Jk is my daily driver used for exploring on weekends. I've started looking at Metalcloak, cheaper then aev and well thought out. Another thread they hint at development of a system for over landing.

This is what I'll be going with when I put a lift in. I doubt it'll be cheaper, however when it's all said and done, I think I'll have a better quality of product. I don't do rocks... it's all DD and mild wheeling. But I want to do it 'right' the first time around and do not want to half *** it only to replace something down the road.

 

[lupinsea]

I helped my friend install an AEV 3.5" kit on his 4-door JK. I must say after having a fair amount of offroading experience with other lifts I was very impressed with the AEV lift. His JK has the best ride of ANY Wrangler I've ever been in. . . . ever.

The one downside was the optional drop brackets for the front lower control arms on the frame side. My friend dropped off a rock and bent these brackets over slightly. They are basically flat plates with some slight angles to them for proper alignment. It would have been nice if AEV had added a flange or something to strengthen them up. Regardless . . . they REALLY hang down far. After a single offroad run my friend removed them. He hasn't noticed a difference in the ride and handling without the plate, and on subsequent offroad runs he hasn't had a problem whacking his front LCA frame mounts.

Anyways, personally, were I to set up a JK . . . hm, yeah, I'd probably go AEV on the lift. But I'd probably look elsewhere for the other components (bumpers, etcs.). Their stuff is nice but pricy.


And, FWIW, my friend isn't necessarily interested in being a rock crawling monster but he certainly wants to have fun with his Jeep. The AEV lift will be a good fit for him.


Oh, and I think I would recommend the 3.5" lift, maybe even the 35" tires even though it might require a little extra work. If nothing else than for the belly clearance. I know the OP isn't interested in hard core offroading but, wow, the JKU's longer wheelbase and lower breakover angle definitely let them scrape their belly over everytyhing. My friend's JK is riding on a 3.5" lift with 35" tires. My TJ has a 2.5" lift, low-profile belly skid, and 33" tires. It turns out my friend's rig has exactly 1/4" more belly clearance than mine. Yet on the trails it's amazing what he scrapes over that i don't even get close to touching.

As I say, I know the OP isn't interested in hardcore trail running but do still consider belly clearance.



Some pix of my friend's Jeep from a recent 4-day Jeep trip we took:

 

[m(a)ce]

If you're set on an Overland build with 35s I'd recommend checking out the AEV 2.5". It's great on the road (wifey will like that), less expensive & wheels well.

RK makes solid stuff and above are some good pros & cons of each. My buddies are probably the loudest anti AEV people in that JKO thread but they're really into extreme modifications & rock crawling. so much so that their built JKs are gone & traded for trailered rigs.

For me I'm glad I switched from a 3.5" lift with full arms back to stock components with the AEV 2.5" with 35s. Road manners are great & I have a very capable DD.

Good luck on the build!


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