joes

I've got the AEV 3.5 with a manual and stock driveshafts. Although i just installed the lift a few weeks ago and havent really stretched it out disconnected on any tough trails yet, I can tell you that the angle of the front driveshaft at the transfer case is very steep and that I have driveline vibration now which i didnt have at stock height (most noticeable at 45-55mph).

The front driveshaft has a Rzeppa CV joint at the upper portion coming out of the transfer case. The bottom of the rubber boot at that joint is pretty close to the bottom of the transfer case housing. I have read (and also suspect) that the boot can rub and tear if you are disconnected and the suspension is stretched out.

At the lower portion of the front driveshaft, there is a single u-joint. The main problem with this joint is trying to balance castor adjustment versus drive line angles. For a single u-joint, the less angle the better. Unfortunately, when you want to increase your castor setting, you increase the drive shaft u-joint angle. This increases driveline stress and vibration. I've been messing with castor adjustments/driveshaft angles for the past few weeks to try to find something liveable on both ends.

I'm going to run my stock driveshaft for now and keep a real close eye on it, but i know down the line, i think it will need to be addressed. The good news is that you can pick either lift because you are going to have the same driveshaft problems at that height.

spinlock

I would say it is more equivalent to the 4" TF lift.