AEV 2.5-3.5 w/ geometry correction brackets for Overlanding

 

That's what I'm thinking too, it's between them and Terraflex. How do you think the AEV's would do with all the additional weight on the big trips?

 

I can answer this with personal experience!

I've been running the Teraflex Outback springs since '19, and they've been great. No sag, or any issues. Running the front and rear 3 inch springs. They come in both 2.5 and 3 inch versions.

 

Nice Wolf, I also looked at those but was worried the spring rate would be too much for daily driving. I do have front and rear bumpers ordered and planning on a roof rack though so it's going to have additional weight over stock all the time. Just don't want it to be jarring everytime I hit a bump too fast in town ya know? How do you like them when not overlanding?

 

It's honestly not that bad, I daily drove my Jeep with that combo for the last 3 years without any complaints. It does ride better with a bit of weight in the back, but nearly all "HD springs" ride like that. If you're looking for a full lift kit, check out the Tera Outback CT3 kit. It's a complete lift kit with everything you'd need minus shocks. All 8 adjustable control arms, adjustable track bars, bump stop adjustments, etc.

On the topic of springs, give this video a watch; it's full of info.

 

I dont have personal experience with lifts; however, I think the lifts you want are the ones that are typically recommended. From what I have read, most used on the road (including gravel roads) a lot tend towards AEV (with correction brackets) and those that are more off road oriented tend towards Metalcloak, Rock Krawler, etc. Teraflex fit somewhere in between. Might look at a comparison done by Trailrecon, he compared both the AEV and Teraflex lifts. Most of the quality lifts provide a bit more lift than advertised depending on the weight of the vehicle. By and large everyting I have read says, AEV leans more towards better on road performance as compared to off road, Metalcloak leans more towards off road than on road but either can meet your needs. Either kit will likely provide more than 2 1/2 in of lift and from what I have read are designed for relatively "heavy" jeeps (i.e. jeeps with aftermarket steel bumpers, skid plates, winches, and roof racks). Unless you run really heavy I would think you would be alright with any of the quality lifts. Other better lifts like Teraflex, Rock Krawler, etc should also be considered. Key thing is a get a quality lift.

 

Thanks Jester and I agree with everything you said. I'm leaning more towards AEV as I drive my jeep to work everyday and everyone raves about their on-road performance with the correction brackets. I watched the Trailrecon suspension comparison (which was very well done) and that's actually what made me narrow it down between AEV and Terraflex. And I'm definitely going quality lift this go around. My XJ has the 4.5" rough country and while it does it's job, it leaves room for improvement for sure.

 

Thanks Wolf, I' haven't seen that video so I'll give it a watch. Which shocks did you end up going with when you were running that setup? I'm between the FOX or the Falcons and I'm undecided if the quick adjustable ones are worth the additional cost.

 

Funny enough, I can say I've ran both. I paired the kit originally with Fox 2.0 reservoir shocks, and they were decent. However off road they just didn't have enough dampening to them which created a LOT of "side to side" rocking motion. I swapped them out to Falcon 3.3's early last year and it was a huge improvement. The Falcon's do ride a bit firmer on road, but the adjustability helps a lot. They're a HUGE improvement off road, they stabilize and dampen way better and make the Jeep feel more planted, especially with extra weight added. I liked the Fox shocks, but the Falcon shocks are just on another level. Larger shaft, larger bore, 2 extra years on the warranty, etc.

 

have you calculated how much extra weight?
The rack alone can be over 150lbs with a few items attached.
i would already be on the 3.5" lift if I didn't have height restrictions in my garage.

 

Hey Van, I haven't calculated the additional cargo weight but I know the new bumpers are a shade over 80lbs a piece and the winch is around 50lbs. With a roof rack and the additional weight of a 35" spare tire I'm probably looking at 300lbs+ of additional weight without cargo. So that 3.5" may be close.

 

Figure out your weight gain and use the chart Vanhallo supplied. the stock bumper is a forty pound piece coming off the rear is about 7lbs. I think you should strongly consider the airbags for when it's fully loaded. With a roof rack I would definitely get a rear Hellwig sway bar for better control. Pressurized runs airbags and I'm sure he will chime in for a recommendation.

 

HAHAHAHA.... Get OUT of my head!!!

 

I chose air bags to be able to adjust my rear spring rate as needed. You can just build up a gear pack that goes with you all the time with tools, liquids, etc and that helps offset the non "overlanding" times when running the higher rate springs. But the versatility of the airbags is hard to overlook in my opinion. If I'm medium weight, I put 20 PSI in and run perfectly flat... On a serious adventure and fully loaded, I go up to 30 PSI and get the same results. I drop to 3 PSI when unloaded and it's like they aren't even there. No loss of articulation, literally no intrusion at all.

 

Wow, thanks for the input everyone. The real life feedback is truly appreciated and exactly what I was hoping for. I want this to be a no compromise jeep in terms of suspension and driveability (if that's a word). Wolf I'm glad to hear the 3.3s were worth it. I was leaning that way because the adjustability would be great if it works as advertised and Pressurized you sold me on the airbags as well. I have them on my f250 and they've been great for towing but had no idea how they'd work for wheelin. Sounds like they work just as good on a Jeep. Again, really appreciate the info all! Time to figure out how to break it to the wife.

 

You know, do it, and beg for forgiveness... I've got forty years of experience there.....

 

You won't find a lot of info out there when it comes to spring rates. You can find some if you call the manufacturers though. Most don't have a problem providing the info over the phone. Some like OME and Clayton offroad post that info in their web site. Would be good to expand on a spring database with free length and spring rates for our JK's. Really surprised i don't see such a thing. It's good for weight planning purposes for those who care. I keep one as well for 4th gen RAM 1500 trucks just cause i do care about this stuff.

I've been putting together my own list of springs that interest me the most because i've had them, i have them or because i've called to ask, this one is JK specific.

I'm currently running RK 1.5" springs as of May 2021 and they have since then redesigned theirs springs (not sure when this happened though)
I really love the RK 1.5" coils and more likely i'll upgrade them to their new 2.5 RK coils.
The RK spring rate here is supposed to the be one in the middle of the triple rate. Info provided from a call i placed today to RK Tech support, today Jan 13 2023, again mostly cause i'm running the springs with 3/4" spacers front and rear and i want to get rid of the spacers and run springs only.

I'm lifted 3" in the front and rear with my current RK 1.5 springs and 0.75" spacers front and rear , Coil spring part# RK04186 and RK04187.
I have stubby steel bumper with winch, steel rear bumper, tire carrier, 35" spare, rock sliders, skids etc. probably if i had to load heavier i'll add 1" more in the rear. Ride is great with the BDS Fox 2.0 4.5" front and BDS Fox 2.0 3" rear shocks, smooth and sport feeling with or without extra weight, and for weight in my case i define as passengers, coolers, gear supllies and recovery gear etc.
I don't need to deflate my tires to run fire roads, and my DD PSI is 32-33psi cold on E rated 315/70/17 KO2's. More details of the setup in sig and build thread in sig.

 

Tera's linear springs are for the convenience of the manufacturer. Dual-rate springs can provide greater performance, but require a chart like the AEV chart that Vanhalo posted.

 

I'm probably not adding any new information, only adding my experience. I replaced my factory 2016 Sahara JKU suspension with the AEV 2.5" dual rate spring lift kit, and noticed the onroad performance was improved. I also added hte geo brackets to correct the front geometry. I'm not sure if offroad was improved from a comfort perspective, all I can say is I'm not dragging my belly across fallen logs any longer (due to the lift and taller tires, true 33" from 285/75/17).

I've considered replacing the springs and shocks with the 2" Mopar lift once my Bilsteins are worn out since my springs look a bit rusty, but I may just stick to like-for-like replacement of Bilstein shocks. 80k miles on them so far, so it may be a year or two yet for that.

 

Thanks for the spreadsheet RSM, I'm sure that took some time to put together! It would be nice if other manufacturers put those numbers up as well.

Muffin Top- I've looked at dual rate setups as well and I think that'd be a great way to go once I nail down my weights. I'd hate to be too heavy and basically have a linear spring because of it.

B4zinga- Thanks for the real world review. How do you think the AEV does on some of the rougher terrains? One thing I noticed on the Trail Recon review was that he raved about the Terraflex performance through rougher roads at speed. Just curious if AEV feels similar.

Thanks for all of the comments and options everyone, this is a pretty great community!

 

.....I've looked at dual rate setups as well and I think that'd be a great way to go once I nail down my weights. I'd hate to be too heavy and basically have a linear spring because of it.....

Understand that in the Jeep world dual rate springs have a ride rate and a flex rate. This is just the opposite of the truck world where you have a ride rate and a overload rate.

 

Have the AEV 2.5” lift on two JK’s and love it. Very good system.

 

The RK springs have a triple rate spring with the extra load rate.


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Honestly an air bag system would be perfect for this. Why beat yourself up with an oversprung rig when you're not all loaded up?

 

Thanks again for all the replies guys. I'm starting to look at airbag systems for JK's now because it definitely makes the most sense with my occasional need for additional weight capacity. Anyone have recommendations on a set? I've got the Firestone Ride-Rite on my F250 and they do pretty well. Not sure what else is out there or if there are any Jeep specific ones.