First off, sorry as I know these threads have been made concerning the two products. I have been researching a lot and most threads veer slightly off exactly what I'm asking about (coil lifts, 2.5" aev, 35"s ect start getting into the conversation) and many are years old so possibly new opinions/experiences have been formed.
This is a daily driver and will not see any difficult trials. On road handling is more important than offroad right now.
Should I go with the Teraflex 1.5" Leveling kit or the AEV 2" spacer?
Dealership is pushing for the AEV 2" Spacer: $495 installed. (which is about $200 for the installation. Is this on average a good rate to pay for the install?)
If there are simply no differences between the two ("as a spacer is a spacer") then I would assume the Teraflex 1.5 is the better route as it is cheaper.
The AEV would yield a higher lift as it is 2" front and back (keeping the factory rake) where the Teraflex is 2" front and 1" rear correct?
AEV 2" spacer lift is 2" spacers in front, 1" spacers in the rear. Also includes extended bumpstops, and shock extentions. Levels it out nice.
But, If it was me, I would do a RK 1.5" spring lift on a JKU before I would do a spacer lift. Would ride nicer and not as much nose dive during hard braking. If you can swing it, don't cheap out.
But, If it was me, I would do a RK 1.5" spring lift on a JKU before I would do a spacer lift. Would ride nicer and not as much nose dive during hard braking. If you can swing it, don't cheap out.
If you're main goal is on road ride quality then skip the spacer kits and look at something with progressive springs like the Rock Krawler 1.5" stock mod.
The JKS flex connect looks like an interesting product too.
Quadratec has RK System $1050, Stage 1 $1859, and Stage 2 $2345. What's the difference? Which would be ideal for mild off road with 33s and possibly future 35s? Still learning, thanks!
Well the TF kit is just the spacers and longer sway bar links. No shock extensions, although I think they offer a budget boost with those. I didn't notice any change in handling when mine was installed. I do think "a spacer is a spacer" but obviously if you want extended bump stops and shock extensions you'll have to look at the AEV kit. If you aren't doing a lot of off-roading I don't know that you'll need extended bump stops, but I'm not sure if shock extensions would make any difference with your setup because I don't know how your Rancho shocks compare to stock.
The TF kit is (4) 1" front spacers and (2) 1" rear spacers so that should be the same as AEV. Pretty sure the AEV spacers are aluminum and TF's are a vulcanized rubber like a hockey puck. I can't imagine that makes much difference.
No the aev is actually plastic but a nicer quality than the tf I have done no less than 8 aev 2" spacer kits. The rear lift is less than 2" as aev has you remove the factory isolated. Both kits are similar I like the aev better as the spacers are higher quality in my opinion.
If you're main goal is on road ride quality then skip the spacer kits and look at something with progressive springs like the Rock Krawler 1.5" stock mod.
The JKS flex connect looks like an interesting product too.
The 1.5 inch Teraflex spacer leveling kit works great. If you pair it with steel bumpers , Winch and Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks like I did you should have a ride and handling better than stock. That is my first hand experience on my 15 2 door Willys. It rides and handles better than my 12 4 door Rubicon did with a Teraflex 2.5 inch lift.
Good luck figuring it out. As soon as you think you've got lifts figured out, you realize you are no closer to a decision. Eventually you just have to pick one.
I have the TF leveling kit installed on my '15 JKU. Kit and install for a total of $300. You don't need shock extensions and bumpstops with a leveling kit, especially if you're not doing any hardcore wheeling. Do yourself a favor a go ahead and get the 2.5 BB, or better yet a 3.5 lift... you're going to want it later.
Well Gang,
I went back and forth with the RE Leveling kit and the Teraflex Leveling kit. The RE kit has more components for around $15 more. But, I had already ordered up the TF kit. So, I just thought what the heck, let's install it and see what happens.
I'm running 315 70 17 Hancook Dynapro ATs on American Racing Ansen Off Road, 17"x 8" Alloy wheels with 4.25" back spacing. They're as close to a 35" you can get, without getting 35" tires. The TF leveling kit did a nice job of lifting the Jeep right at 2" in front and 1" in the back. However, as some other folks have mentioned, it's really not a "leveling kit" as, it's not LEVEL!
It still has a bit of a rake to it. Not the end of the world but, I kind-a wanted it to be LEVEL when done. Oh well, We're pretty happy with the kit as is. No issues, other than my factory rock sliders that extend a tiny amount into the rear fender wells, needed to be trimmed a bit. I sliced off about 3/4" of an inch off the ends, then replaced the rubber end caps. Looks factory.
The Jeep handles just as nice as it did without the lift/leveling kit only, it's seriously SMOOTHER because I got rid of those JUNK 255 BFG MTs and put on the Hancook ATs.
We'll try this operation and see what we think. I can always change things around later and add something more extravagant.
Scott
I was thinking that the new front bumper might pull down that front suspension a bit too. But, it weighs around 60-65 lbs. or so and, as I gently laid it on the front frame, the Jeep showed no evidence of downward movement what so ever. I checked the body height with and without the bumper and, it's the exact same. I simply think that, there' more rake to a JKU than a "leveling" kit can provide, to make it actually level. But, it also depends on just how much rake there is before you start modifying things.
Scott
Teraflex 1.5" Leveling vs AEV 2" Spacer. SORRY!!
Mine seemed to lift exactly as expected with the TF kit.
Rear before:
Rear After:
Front Before:
Front after:
Here it is before the bumper install.
I have since added about 170# to the front with and Ace bumper and Badlands 12k winch. I lost about 3/4" in the front and the stance ended up really nice. Mine is a 16 JKU WW with max tow, 17 springs in front and 59 springs in back.
Here is after the bumper. Sorry I do not have a side shot.
-Richard
EDIT- I checked again and my springs are 17/59, sorry.
I installed the TF level kit & didn't install the rear because it sit level without it, Genright aluminum bumper with Warn M8000S ,rock hard sliders, Max tow with 17 , 59
Teraflex 1.5" Leveling vs AEV 2" Spacer. SORRY!!
I have the TF leveling kit on mine with 295/70/17 Cooper ST Maxx tires. I was rubbing the outside edge of front fenders off road at full articulation. Mainly from wheel off set and tire width. The coopers run wide. So I cut my stock fenders and fixed that problem. Plus they look sweet in my opinion.
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