Just some feedback from my install today, it took about 7 hours total, taking our time ensuring we covered everything. I am extremely happy with the results, 3 inches gained and I am sure it will settle in and may lose some of that. I have ACE front bumper on and stock rear, which will change to ACE also. The ride is "better than stock", these were not my words, they were my wife's. This is my DD and 90% pavement, 10% light trails, so using the GEO correction brackets made a world of difference in handling and will not affect anything I plan on doing with my rig.
I did a ton of research and came down to AEV or OME and I made the right choice with zero regrets. So for anyone that is on the fence between these 2, my honest opinion is AEV all the way.
This just proves ride is 100% subjective . Most do say the AEV kits drive nice ... Including myself. Then you read about the handful of people that say AEV rides too firm/like crap.
The AEV lift was the right choice for me. I liked the ride of my JKUR well enough from the beginning but the AEV lift makes it feel more secure, even on the highway. I've had some sort of offroad vehicle all my life and used them as intended and don't expect the Cadillac or sports car ride. I dislike both. For my wants and needs it was the right choice also.
This may well be the most noticeable benefit. First time I speared the brakes on this thing with the stock suspension it took a good pair of channellocks and a lot of effort to remove the seat cover from my backside. I've never driven anything that wanted to nosedive and turn left like that before.
I think the only change I need to make is a steering correction, it is slightly off-center. I am on the road today and will check it when I get home.... Being a Toyota guy for years, making the change was pretty strange for me however, "I am definitely converted to being a jeep whore". This is going to suck because it will be worse than my harley, in a good way of course.......
You mean the steering wheel ? Adjust the drag link sleeve to center the wheel.
If you're talking about the axle .. 2.5" is not really enough to need a track bar ... But it will be offset a little.
Remove any bind from all CA and track bar bushings.
Loosen or leave loose all CA/TB bolts. Last step is to put tires back on, give the jeep a good shake and torque the bolts. Not sure if AEV instructs to do this.
And if you really get in a bind on the passenger side upper shock bolt you can dremel back the plastic cover to get to it. It's honestly one of the worst two things about changing suspension parts in my humble opinion. My buddy also said he had an absolutely HELL of a time getting the brake line out of the brakets in the front but I had a shop take care of it so I can't speak to that.
Good luck.
I agree with everyone else, better road manners than stock for me, I put front sway bar disconnects on at the same time as the lift because I you have to disconnect the end links anyway. It brought the sway bar back to about +5 degrees and the disconnects are really easy to reach from the front of the vehicle between the bumper and tire (aftermarket and 33s). I went with Teraflex because of the provision for stowing the sway bar in a disconnected position without having to bungee cord and lash it up (like JKS requires)
Thanks for the advice, i've been reading up on all the install posts, making notes of everyone's "tips".
Dumb question, aside from sporting some major rake, would I damage anything if I drove the jeep a couple of miles with only the rear portion of the lift installed? Reason I ask, is that I "might" have to interrupt my lift install and p/u one of the kids from school. I'm guessing it won't really matter, but just wanted to ask JIC
That kit is designed to provide a 2" lift in the back and an average stock JK has about 1.25-1.5" of rake in the front. So the negative rake will not be as much as you think. It will impact weight distribution, similar to towing a trailer and therefore handling but it should be fine as long as you are aware of it.
Got the lift installed today. Started at 9 and finished at 5, with a lunch break thrown in there
Would have been done an hour sooner sooner, at least, if not for a couple little issues.
- lower bolt on rear track bar bracket came defective, bad thread in the middle of the bolt which caused me to scramble and find a replacement in the "shed"
- and bending those PIA brake brackets to get the front brake lines out...finally got the hand of it after about 15 minutes of fighting with it (vise grips are your friend here), my fingers/hands bore the brunt of this part of the install lol
Tightened everything up and took it for a spin. Drove great, no pulling, no shakes, real smooth. No more brake dive!
Only thing is when I go over speed bumps, i'm hearing a noise from the front like if something is loose. Will go over all the bolts tomorrow again and make sure they are all torqued to spec. Might even loosen the upper and lower arm bolts and see if it needs to settle some more. I realized when I was torqueing everything at the end, that I never loosened the top bolts on the UCA's.
Fun way to spend the day...wasn't nearly as bad as I was imagining it. Still need to throw on the geometry correction brackets, but I ran out of daylight.
Stupid me forgot to measure before I lifted it, but I definitely got more than 2.5" (stock bumpers front and rear and currently running w/o spare). Love the look. Will get some pictures on here tomorrow.
Got the lift installed today. Started at 9 and finished at 5, with a lunch break thrown in there Would have been done an hour sooner sooner, at least, if not for a couple little issues. - lower bolt on rear track bar bracket came defective, bad thread in the middle of the bolt which caused me to scramble and find a replacement in the "shed" - and bending those PIA brake brackets to get the front brake lines out...finally got the hand of it after about 15 minutes of fighting with it (vise grips are your friend here), my fingers/hands bore the brunt of this part of the install lol Tightened everything up and took it for a spin. Drove great, no pulling, no shakes, real smooth. No more brake dive! Only thing is when I go over speed bumps, i'm hearing a noise from the front like if something is loose. Will go over all the bolts tomorrow again and make sure they are all torqued to spec. Might even loosen the upper and lower arm bolts and see if it needs to settle some more. I realized when I was torqueing everything at the end, that I never loosened the top bolts on the UCA's. Fun way to spend the day...wasn't nearly as bad as I was imagining it. Still need to throw on the geometry correction brackets, but I ran out of daylight. Stupid me forgot to measure before I lifted it, but I definitely got more than 2.5" (stock bumpers front and rear and currently running w/o spare). Love the look. Will get some pictures on here tomorrow.
I have been debating between the AEV lift and the OME and I believe this has helped me decide on the AEV 2.5". The geometry correction brackets are a very nice addition I will make sure to pick up. I have always run OME lifts in my Jeep's so I feel like I am cheating on my long time love with the "new" girl, but it sounds like it is worth it. Thanks!
I have been debating between the AEV lift and the OME and I believe this has helped me decide on the AEV 2.5". The geometry correction brackets are a very nice addition I will make sure to pick up. I have always run OME lifts in my Jeep's so I feel like I am cheating on my long time love with the "new" girl, but it sounds like it is worth it. Thanks!
Not to hijack but I just installed the AEV 2 1/2" w/geo brackets 2 weeks ago. I think it handles better than stock on road. Il be going to Rausch Saturday to see how it works off road. As of now I'd buy it again. Suits my needs. I don't like rocks...it must be the loud bang when I hit them😱
Two days of driving with this lift, I am super impressed. The ride is so much better than stock, color me happy!
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