Ok. I have had the AEV 3.5 RS on order for three weeks and they are saying maybe two more weeks but aren't sure. The shocks are what is holding up the kit so this has given me time to research more. I have been reading about the Metalcloak game changer but is almost twice the cost. Is it really worth it? Money doesn't grow on trees however if I am going to do this I want to do it right.
This lift will see some off road but mostly DD. I want the option to one day do the rubicon trail. I have a 2012 COD MW3. Just bought duratracs 315/70R/17.
Should I be thinking about another lift. I have been reading a lot on this forum and was dead set on AEV but with the wait it is giving me pause to look for another lift.
By the way AEV has been fantastic about everything so I am not unhappy with them. This could be more of a patience thing for me however at least a 5 week wait but could be longer has been rough with the tires sitting there.
Ha. 3 posts on this one thread. Getting my post count up there. Just so everyone knows I have used the search feature however I could not find anything that compared AEV RS to the Gamechanger. If there is another lift I should consider please let me know. I have looked at terra flex which seems to be a good company as well.
I have an AEV, not the RS but I have the drop brackets. They are great for the road and moderate trail. Once you get into the rocks the clearance loss of the drop brackets show up big time.
If it were me and starting over, I would go Metalcloak over the AEV.
I currently have the AEV 3.5 SC lift on duratracs 315/70R/17. I love the setup and was lucky I had all my parts come in at once for the lift. I did have to wait almost 8 weeks for my Fuel wheels to come in.
Did you order your lift directly from AEV? My lift came from Northridge 4X4 in less than a week (great costumer service there).
Lenichris welcome to the forum. I currently have the AEV 3.5 SC lift on duratracs 315/70R/17. I love the setup and was lucky I had all my parts come in at once for the lift. I did have to wait almost 8 weeks for my Fuel wheels to come in. Did you order your lift directly from AEV? My lift came from Northridge 4X4 in less than a week (great costumer service there). Good luck with your build and keep us posted. Mike
I got FUEL wheels as well. Those took a week though. The issue is the bilstein 5160 remote reservoir shocks. I ordered from quadratec. I have called AEV for other reasons (heat reduction hood, tire carrier, and diff covers) and asked them about this and get updates. No one has these lifts from my knowledge. AEV has been great. Just taking a long time and looking at other options now. If I wanted the 3.5 SC I could get right away. I will call northridge. Thanks for the update.
Metalcloak is great for off-road. AEV is great on-road. That's what I found from much research and since we do quite a bit of off- road I got the Metalcloak which btw works great on road too.
And you really don't need to go with the top of the line game changer with the 6 pax shocks unless you are doing a ton of rock crawling or unless you just want top of the line.
All of the above except not as stiff riding PLUS any kind of terrain you are willing to tackle up to and including any line you choose while doing the Rubicon Trail = MetalCloak
Order either from Dave @ Northridge4x4
I run MetalCloak and am happy with it. Not as smooth as Old Man Emu but I like it. Next suspension I buy will be Synergy or back to Old Man Emu.
Obviously, you are looking at 2 of the best... The Metal Cloak is typically considered more capable off-road. AEV doesn't address wheelbase loss on the rear axle which is a turn off for me.
I would add the Rock Krawler 3.5 X Factor system to your list. Then pick out the shocks you want. Bilstein, Fox, Rancho, King... Once you decide on a shock, they will size the bumpstop for you. A little more than the AEV once you add the shock, but you get all 8 control arms which is a BIG upgrade.
Agree with pressurized about the rear non correction on the AEV. 3.5 inches is quite a bit of lift to not address rear axle location/correction. I have no experience with AEV, but I do have a 3.5 MC with Rancho 9000's. Very well mannered ride and solid suspension components. You can skip the 6 pack shocks and get the price a lot closer to what most of the higher end lifts cost.
Thanks for everyone's quick thoughts. I unfortunately just cancelled my AEV lift and got the MC Gamechanger with old man emu shocks. I hated to do it because I think AEV is great however it was taking too long. My order might ship today and no later than Tuesday.
Both lifts kits are high quality so you will be happy with either. The tuned Bilsteins for the AEV kit are out-of-stock too often. The OME shocks are pretty good but the Bilsteins are better.
From experience, I agree. I have the OME long shocks with my MetalCloak. In fact I've run OME shocks on a number of Jeeps and never with a regret. Fox ride nice too. Never rode in a Bilstein shocked Jeep that I didn't think was too stiff. Each their own.
OP, you are gonna like they way MC rides and wheels!
Shocks are very personal and I don't like to say "better" when you are talking about 1 quality product versus another. In your application and driving style, you might like a particular shock better than another, but someone else will be on the other side of that fence.
I have the Gamechanger Lite and love it. At first I thought the OME shocks were too harsh when compared to Fox but I've gotten used to them now. This kit corners flat. Only the harshest bumps send a jolt through the cabin. I also run 30 psi in my Trail Grapplers.
its kinda funny with six pac shocks every one says they are to expensive , and they are .
but it is 5 plus inches extra travel over bolt on shocks. when you build a jeep you have a budget
you can spend well over 3 grand on a winch and bumpers then spend 300 hundred on shocks.
personally I would rather have 12 plus inches of travel with a cheaper winch and bumpers
its kinda funny with six pac shocks every one says they are to expensive , and they are . but it is 5 plus inches extra travel over bolt on shocks. when you build a jeep you have a budget you can spend well over 3 grand on a winch and bumpers then spend 300 hundred on shocks. personally I would rather have 12 plus inches of travel with a cheaper winch and bumpers
I have AEV and am relatively happy with it. I ordered the MC in the summer, but had some stuff come up with work and they were 3 weeks out for shipping. I decided to cancel the order and they took care of me immediately. I have their rear bumper and love their customer service. OP, you won't be disappointed with their service now or in the future and that is what is most important to me when buying any product.
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