expedition4x4
Explorer
fully loaded my rear is about 1/2" closer from top of tire to bottom of fender than front but I do not have my winch on yet
Suspension solution for a very heavy 2007 JKU
- Thread starter OpenTrackRacer
- Start date
aristobrat
Observer
I run with the AEV front bumper + a winch. I'd imagine that most lifts expect a heavier front bumper + a winch and tune their front springs for that, plus a little extra to take out the factory rake.
If I were you, I'd get one of the kits with progressive springs, load everything up, see the difference between the front and rear, and then add rear spacers + coil retainers. Something like this: http://www.quadratec.com/products/16190_1002.htm
Jeep or Tacoma
Explorer
my heavy jku
I have an o8 rubicon 4 dr. My warn bumper is the heaviest thing out there> at 155 lbs with out winch and with winch 10k smitty built with steel cable it compressed my stock springs to within 1/2 inch of the bumpstops. I went with ome heavy duty lift and got 3.5 inches out of it. with that bumper and winch set up I really reccomend ome as far as i know they are the only firm that has weight specific springs. I have them on my landcrusier 100 series 35 inch tires arb bumper warn 12 k winch and fullside bars they worked great. as far as the other poster who said that they ride stiff, I disagree!!! They don't in my personal experience on 2 different vehicles
I have an o8 rubicon 4 dr. My warn bumper is the heaviest thing out there> at 155 lbs with out winch and with winch 10k smitty built with steel cable it compressed my stock springs to within 1/2 inch of the bumpstops. I went with ome heavy duty lift and got 3.5 inches out of it. with that bumper and winch set up I really reccomend ome as far as i know they are the only firm that has weight specific springs. I have them on my landcrusier 100 series 35 inch tires arb bumper warn 12 k winch and fullside bars they worked great. as far as the other poster who said that they ride stiff, I disagree!!! They don't in my personal experience on 2 different vehicles
OpenTrackRacer
Observer
It looks like everyone with the AEV lift has a heavy front bumper and winch. That's my problem. My front axle weight is not that much different from stock (loaded or unloaded). AEV couldn't come up with a solution for me that wouldn't have the front end much higher than the rear and that just doesn't work.
aristobrat
Observer
So if you're not interested in correcting the heigh difference in an AEV lift with a $80 rear spacer/coil retainer ("puck"), then I guess you can look at Synergy.
Like AEV, their springs are also progressively wound and frequency-tuned. Unlike AEV, they sell their front/rear springs independently, so you can order 3" springs for your Jeep's heavy rear, and 2" springs for your Jeep's heavy front. They only seem to do "even" inch sizes, though .. 2", 3", 4", not the 2.5", 3.5", and 4.5" like AEV does.
From what I've read, Synergy's rear track bar bracket and front steering correction kit set the post-lift suspension geometry similar to AEV's, so handling should be similar. If you go the Synergy route, I'd still consider the AEV front control arm drop brackets.
Like AEV, their springs are also progressively wound and frequency-tuned. Unlike AEV, they sell their front/rear springs independently, so you can order 3" springs for your Jeep's heavy rear, and 2" springs for your Jeep's heavy front. They only seem to do "even" inch sizes, though .. 2", 3", 4", not the 2.5", 3.5", and 4.5" like AEV does.
From what I've read, Synergy's rear track bar bracket and front steering correction kit set the post-lift suspension geometry similar to AEV's, so handling should be similar. If you go the Synergy route, I'd still consider the AEV front control arm drop brackets.
OpenTrackRacer
Observer
I'll talk to Synergy too, thanks for the tip!
I'm not opposed to coil spacers in the back but the problem becomes one of excessive height. To even things out I might have to use a 1" or larger spacer in the rear and I really don't want 4.5" of lift (or more). I just spoke with AEV again and they have an engineer considering my issues. My spare tire and gas cans hang pretty far off the back and they keep pushing me to buy their rear bumper and carrier solution (to move the weight closer to the axle) but what I have now works and I'm not thrilled with spending $2K or more to replace it.
OME has been super helpful and has suggested a suspension setup to account for the kind of weight distribution I have. However, that's a fixed rate spring and not as ideal.
As for as the AEV control arm drop brackets, I could use those with the OME setup too. Have you found that they make a big difference?
Thanks!
I'm not opposed to coil spacers in the back but the problem becomes one of excessive height. To even things out I might have to use a 1" or larger spacer in the rear and I really don't want 4.5" of lift (or more). I just spoke with AEV again and they have an engineer considering my issues. My spare tire and gas cans hang pretty far off the back and they keep pushing me to buy their rear bumper and carrier solution (to move the weight closer to the axle) but what I have now works and I'm not thrilled with spending $2K or more to replace it.
OME has been super helpful and has suggested a suspension setup to account for the kind of weight distribution I have. However, that's a fixed rate spring and not as ideal.
As for as the AEV control arm drop brackets, I could use those with the OME setup too. Have you found that they make a big difference?
Thanks!
ventura911
Adventurer
I'm curious as to what OME's solution is for you. Can you elaborate? (BTW, I'd have given AEV serious consideration, too, but the evolution of my set up always seemed to be a bit ahead of AEV's plans!)
aristobrat
Observer
Before I went with the AEV 3.5", I ran a TF 2.5" for a few months. My Jeep was otherwise stock (i.e. "light"), and ended up netting about 3" of lift. There was nothing to restore the caster lost by the lift. At speeds of 45 MPH+, my Jeep handled very flighty/squirrely and required two hands on the steering wheel and concentration, because I was never sure if it was going to want to wander to one side or the other.
When I switched to the AEV 3.5", my Jeep sat higher, which should have reduced the caster even more. With the drop brackets, I can now be doing 80 MPH down the Interstate, and it feels just as solid as it did before I lifted it. No flighty feel or wandering once they restored the caster.
So in that sense, they made a huge difference to me.
They do a few other things. Here's a post from the guy that owns AEV explaining them.
MOSDIF589
Axel Adventures
I just never experienced what you described. I run the ARB OME 2.25" lift that sits aprox 3" and included the adjustable track bar. I have always drove on the hwy at 70-75 mph but with my JKU set up the way it is I constantly find my self running 80mph. Just drove 7hrs to Jeep Beach with the cruise control on 80mph with no proplems with handling. I understand the logic behind the control arm drops but feel no need for it. Not knocking AEV but just think the ARB OME can go head to head with it with out the loss of ground clearance.
Just my 2cents
jomobco
Now Decanter
Agreed. I had the same experience with the TF leveling kit. It wouldn't track well at all. I'm totally happy with my 2.5" AEV.
expedition4x4
Explorer
The more I think about the 3.5" aev kit the more happy I am I chose it as well. I installed It in a buddies garage in a weekend and the alignment when done was still within spec. The steering flip kit uses a rhd drag link end so it's still a mopar part. The jeep drives great.
WrenchMonkey
Mechanical Animal
That's kinda funny. I've been running drop brackets on my XJ forever. Eight years maybe? The high-dollar guys always blew them off as the cheapskate alternative to longarms. Nobody'd listen when I tried to explain how the actual geometry was better...
Funny that money-no-object AEV is now producing them...
I'm in the process of building my 4th Rubicon. I learned from my first build!
1: Do your research well! Don;t hop onto the forum(s) band wagon. Most opinions will be pro (whatever I run) and anything else considered is garbage. I see way too much of that these days.
2: Go for a ride (if possible) in a JK outfitted with the same suspension(s) you are considering. If you can, you will have a huge advantage before spending your hard earned money.
3: Make sure to account for riding loaded and unloaded. This JK has to handle well in both scenarios IMHO!
My 1st build started out with a 2.5" Terraflex coil and shock lift. than added front and rear trackbars, lower front control arms, and finally spacers to offset that heavy rig. I ran full width ARB bumpers, winch, GOBi rack, etc. Hitch haul off that back with firewood, MTn bikes up top with camping gear, wheeling gear, and two full grown labs. I wasn't happy with that setup.
My last two builds and current build are AEV SC lifts. My second build was their 3.5" lift and 315 BFG AT's, GOBI rack, and Expedition One Bumpers. With all my gear, it road and handled great loaded and unloaded. 2300 miles road trips to off road, camp, MTN bike, hunt, etc. My third build I decided I "needed" to go bigger. 4.5" SC lift with 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers. Handled well, but not as nice as the 3.5" and 315's did. I ended up dropping tire size down to 35's. With the rear AEV bumper/ carrier/ hi-lift mount, and hitch haul with firewood, it still sat pretty good. If I were to run that weight (with all my inside gear) 24/7, I would ahve like to see another inch of height out back.
My current build: I just installed another AEV 3.5" SC lift, AFE Y Pipe to clear the exhaust crossover. I am running ARB's rear bumper, Terraflex tire carrier out back and ARB stubby up front with a Warn VR10 winch. I don;t feel this setup is too heavy with my 35" Toyo MT's (heavy tires) and rides great! There is enough room in those wheel wells to flex all the way out with that weight for sure. Once I have all the gear in there, I still expect to have clearance. The only concern I have is if tire chains will fit or not at that height. My build will have a bit more weight in there yet. The stance front to back is perfect at this point. I little more weight in there and it will sit level.
I have been fortunate to drive quite a few different suspension kits out there. IMHO (not because I have this lift), I have found this lift is great for heavier rigs. For my type of lifestyle and trips, this suspension works best for me. I did also get to drive this kit with Elka shocks and that rig was hands down one of the nicest I've been in to date. I don't plan to swap my shocks out at this point. I may add Teraflex or King speedbumps at some point though.
1: Do your research well! Don;t hop onto the forum(s) band wagon. Most opinions will be pro (whatever I run) and anything else considered is garbage. I see way too much of that these days.
2: Go for a ride (if possible) in a JK outfitted with the same suspension(s) you are considering. If you can, you will have a huge advantage before spending your hard earned money.
3: Make sure to account for riding loaded and unloaded. This JK has to handle well in both scenarios IMHO!
My 1st build started out with a 2.5" Terraflex coil and shock lift. than added front and rear trackbars, lower front control arms, and finally spacers to offset that heavy rig. I ran full width ARB bumpers, winch, GOBi rack, etc. Hitch haul off that back with firewood, MTn bikes up top with camping gear, wheeling gear, and two full grown labs. I wasn't happy with that setup.
My last two builds and current build are AEV SC lifts. My second build was their 3.5" lift and 315 BFG AT's, GOBI rack, and Expedition One Bumpers. With all my gear, it road and handled great loaded and unloaded. 2300 miles road trips to off road, camp, MTN bike, hunt, etc. My third build I decided I "needed" to go bigger. 4.5" SC lift with 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers. Handled well, but not as nice as the 3.5" and 315's did. I ended up dropping tire size down to 35's. With the rear AEV bumper/ carrier/ hi-lift mount, and hitch haul with firewood, it still sat pretty good. If I were to run that weight (with all my inside gear) 24/7, I would ahve like to see another inch of height out back.
My current build: I just installed another AEV 3.5" SC lift, AFE Y Pipe to clear the exhaust crossover. I am running ARB's rear bumper, Terraflex tire carrier out back and ARB stubby up front with a Warn VR10 winch. I don;t feel this setup is too heavy with my 35" Toyo MT's (heavy tires) and rides great! There is enough room in those wheel wells to flex all the way out with that weight for sure. Once I have all the gear in there, I still expect to have clearance. The only concern I have is if tire chains will fit or not at that height. My build will have a bit more weight in there yet. The stance front to back is perfect at this point. I little more weight in there and it will sit level.
I have been fortunate to drive quite a few different suspension kits out there. IMHO (not because I have this lift), I have found this lift is great for heavier rigs. For my type of lifestyle and trips, this suspension works best for me. I did also get to drive this kit with Elka shocks and that rig was hands down one of the nicest I've been in to date. I don't plan to swap my shocks out at this point. I may add Teraflex or King speedbumps at some point though.