Hi I was wondering if you liked the AEV lift? I'm stuck between which type of lift to get I'm wanting to be able to run 35's to 37's but I'm wanting to keep the stock like feel while driving. I heard rock krawler was good to but I don't know that much about either one to be honest but if I did go with AEV I think I might go with the 4.5" lift so if you have any info to lead me the right/ best direction I would really appreciate it.
Thanks, Andrew
Hi Andrew,
With respect to the input others have given, I would not recommend the AEV 3.5" with 37s unless you are comfortable with doing some fairly significant sheet metal trimming. Actual size varies by manufacturer and tire model, but a true-to-size 37 (as the MTR/K) would not have fit my JKU with an AEV 3.5" lift.
With the AEV 4.5" and OEM fenders I had rubbing issues at full stuff (rear only). The tire made contact with the forward pinch seam, as well as the plastic of the inner fender and the lip of the outer fender. Again, this is with the 4.5", not the 3.5". It could only get worse with an inch less lift (although, the addition of adjustable control arms could solve at least some of those issues. I know Rebel Offroad used a Rock Krawler long arm suspension -- I believe 4" -- on their "Agent Orange" build and
did not have to trim the pinch seam). I have since trimmed the pinch seam (which, as I now recall, I believe, is done from the factory on '13 up, so you may be OK there) and installed Poison Spyder Customs aluminum fenders (no inners). Problem solved.
AEV's recommendation is 3.5" for 35s max, and 4.5" for 37s. Now, that said, in a phone conversation with one of their tech reps, he said that their SEMA rigs run 37s on a 3.5", but they did take the necessary additional steps to prevent rubbing (bumps for the 4.5" kit, and trimming, I believe). And in my case, I suspect that with the PSC fenders 3.5" would have been enough, after the pinch seam trim. But if you're staying with stock fenders, IMO, you
COULD be heading for trouble trying to stuff 37s in a 3.5" lift.
To your original question, I love the AEV lift (although I'm not a "fanboy" - I realize that intended purpose matters and specialized suspensions must target their specialty, so no one suspension is "the best!"). One caveat here, is that being an
expedition suspension, the AEV performs better with
weight on it. Installed with factory bumpers, a soft top, no cargo, and an OEM spare, I felt the ride was harsh, but
very stable once I got the tire pressure correct and the front end aligned correctly. Now with plate steel bumpers, full-size spare, a winch, roll cage, and 300-400# of tools/cargo, even pulling my M101A2 trailer with steel shell, it is uber-smooth. I wheeled Steel Bender and Fins and Things in Moab on this setup last October (no trailer) and it handled the trails with nary a complaint. I also drove it the 2000 mile round trip (pulling the trailer) and was very pleased with the road manners on such a long trip. It's not my old Denali on the road, but then the Denali wouldn't have done too well on Steel Bender either, lol.
I'm not about to tell you that some other suspension won't perform as well because I don't have experience with them. What I can tell you is that in an
expedition type application, the AEV is in its element. It has exceptional road manners and can handle some pretty demanding terrain without a whimper. In my opinion, it really does live up to their claims of OEM-level engineering, R&D, and even better quality. Just my .02.
Regards,
Scott
P.S. Here's a pic of mine:
