Best lift and what makes it the best
#21
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2009
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#22
I just ordered my AEV kit. I went with AEV over others for a few main points. I feel you get your moneys worth. I would spend the money on a drag link flip and a procal anyway, and with any other kit I would have had to add another 450 ish on top of the already higher price. I also liked the progressive rate coils. I plan to do some expedition trips, aside from the one or two moab trips a year. Also In the long run I would like to upgrade to long arms so running on the factory control arms with the drop brackets will work great for a couple of years. I think that the AEV kit will fit my needs well.
#23
JK Freak
Join Date: May 2011
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I don't have a lot of experience with lift kits, but I did do a fair amount of research before I decided on the Teraflex 2 1/2" coil lift with Bilstein 5100 shocks. The kit was complete, quality seemed to be top notch, install was pretty straight forward, on road ride is pretty good and off road performance is excellent! Like I said, I can't compare it to any other lift kit but if I had to do it all over again, I would stick with the Teraflex kit.
#24
I have the EVO Enforcer kit and love it! Handles amazing on road. It's like I don't even have a lift...other than being higher. The only complaint I heard about with this lift when I researched it was that it was a bit expensive. Well, if that is the only complaint I'll take it. Better to spend a little more upfront and be happy than to try to save a buck and be chasing down problems for years. Install was straight forward too. I learned a ton and saved a ton doing it myself with a friend/fellow forum member.
My front drive shaft should be here tomorrow. I'll then be able to report on off road ability, but from what I've heard I will not be disappointed.
My front drive shaft should be here tomorrow. I'll then be able to report on off road ability, but from what I've heard I will not be disappointed.
Last edited by MTG; 02-19-2012 at 06:41 PM.
#25
JK Jedi
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fresno, California, United States
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I've helped with the instal of 2 Teraflex kits. Both 2.5" coil lifts. Very straight forward, great quality. Many folks on here run these kits.
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-2-5-lift-kit.html
Of course if you want more from a kit and include control arms with 3" of lift, you could get this. They have available kits with 4 arms to adjust pinion and castor,
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-wrangler-...-flexarms.html
or a complete 8 arm kit which will allow the best articulation.
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-4-suspens...rm-system.html
Teraflex kits are used by many members here, they have great customer service. When the time comes, I'll be upgrading to their Long Arm kit.
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-2-5-lift-kit.html
Of course if you want more from a kit and include control arms with 3" of lift, you could get this. They have available kits with 4 arms to adjust pinion and castor,
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-wrangler-...-flexarms.html
or a complete 8 arm kit which will allow the best articulation.
http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-4-suspens...rm-system.html
Teraflex kits are used by many members here, they have great customer service. When the time comes, I'll be upgrading to their Long Arm kit.
Last edited by Absolute; 02-19-2012 at 08:20 PM.
#26
Originally Posted by livin
My only experience is with Mopar (Rubicon Express) 4.5 inch lift. It rode well, but the maintenance on it sucked. It liked to blow bushings.
I have been researching this very question and it seems to be that the AEV kit is the best all around kit. If you want SERIOUS flexing capablitlies you might want a full traction 4 link set up. I have heard good things about the Rockcrawler set ups too.. but the majority of EVERYONE I speak with claims to go for the AEV Dual Sport SC in a 3.5 or 4.5!
Good Luck!
I have been researching this very question and it seems to be that the AEV kit is the best all around kit. If you want SERIOUS flexing capablitlies you might want a full traction 4 link set up. I have heard good things about the Rockcrawler set ups too.. but the majority of EVERYONE I speak with claims to go for the AEV Dual Sport SC in a 3.5 or 4.5!
Good Luck!
To the OP, my two cents are that you should actually drive several different brands of lifted Jeeps before spending your hard earned money. I've driven several Jeeps with four inch lifts. One only had taller springs and new shocks...and you could definitely tell the absence of LCA's and adjustable trackbars affected the way it drove. The next had front uppers (which is a strange way to go) and nothing to deal with the trackbars. The ride was harsh and the steering was not great. The lift felt like a bunch of separate parts, not a system. I just helped install an EVO Enforcer and draglink flip on MTG's 2012 JKU Rubi. IMHO, the ride is perfect. The steering is just as tight as it was before the lift (I drove it a few days before we lifted it) and the ride is neither too stiff nor too soft. I will say that I have never driven a JKU with a long arm lift or coilovers, both of which I hear are impressive on and off the road.
#27
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I can attest to long arms with coil overs being excellent on and off road. I have this type of suspension from EVO and it is awesome but is quite a bit more pricey than the other systems being discussed.
#28
JK-Forum Founder
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If you could but any lift regardless of price what would you buy and what makes a good lift good. Seems like the more expensive lifts that I have looked at seem to have better shocks and extra control arms or some gadgets I am not familiar with.
unlike the aev fanboys who sing praises for their lift without any real knowledge of anything else, i will not try and steer you to brand or another as most are similar to another anyway. i have personally installed a host of lifts and tested them out and if i can, i will try to help you choose a "better" option for your needs. and, you can choose a brand based on what you learn.
#29
JK Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Go with 2.5" RK or TF on 35's w/ bilstein 5100s. I've heard nothing but great things from both manufacturers. Top notch customer service. Nice practical lift for a daily driver and will fit pretty much any garage. Both lifts will perform excellent off road as well.
#30
JK Super Freak
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RK 2.5" Max Travel + Bilstein 5100's have been installed for a few weeks, wheeled it for the first time yesterday and love how it handles on and off road.
I chose this kit because:
Most complete kit I could find -- You can piece together a similar kit from most manufactures, but none have all as one kit. Comes with quick disconnects, brake lines, and other items not included in other kits.
Upgradeable - You can change the springs to 3.5 later. I don't plan to, but who knows! If you asked me 3 months ago I probably would've told you I'm not getting a lift.
The only other I was considering was Teraflex. The pricing would've been similar.
I chose this kit because:
Most complete kit I could find -- You can piece together a similar kit from most manufactures, but none have all as one kit. Comes with quick disconnects, brake lines, and other items not included in other kits.
Upgradeable - You can change the springs to 3.5 later. I don't plan to, but who knows! If you asked me 3 months ago I probably would've told you I'm not getting a lift.
The only other I was considering was Teraflex. The pricing would've been similar.