Final Decision...Which Lift Kit...Buying This Weekend

[WILDHOBO]

I 2nd for Clayton, superior by far than those two kits.

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-25-overland-plus-lift-kit-2020-jt

Add shocks and you have a excellent kit. I am running Fox 2.0s on my 3.5" overland plus because my budget only allowed, but I am really happy with the ride.

I personally think Clayton gets too much credit. They sell a lot because they’re active on the forum. I’m not saying they’re bad quality, but they’re not close to the best out there.

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[bleda2002]

Exactly. I don’t even use the same vendor for my bump stops and pucks. I liked the synergy pucks as they can be height adjusted without removing a bolt, and have a perfectly smooth top surface instead of an exposed bolt head.

2nd for the synergy bump stop pucks, on the JT i made my own out of hockey pucks, but on the wife's i went with synergy and wont bother making my own next time.

 

[WILDHOBO]

2nd for the synergy bump stop pucks, on the JT i made my own out of hockey pucks, but on the wife's i went with synergy and wont bother making my own next time.

I looked around specifically for smooth tops before I installed my front hydraulic bump stops. I was overjoyed at the ability to add and remove pieces without fighting that bolt.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I personally think Clayton gets too much credit. They sell a lot because they’re active on the forum. I’m not saying they’re bad quality, but they’re not close to the best out there.

In my opinion, Clayton is one of the best. They use quality parts and they know Jeeps well.

 

[DanW]

Teraflex spring spacers are better quality imo.

I ran AEV spacers on my JK for about 100k miles and they were great. I don´t think there´s an issue with them, even if Terre Flex is nicer. Mine looked like new when I took them out and moved to the Dualsport lift and they had endured plenty of off-roading. That´s why I like the AEV stuff. The spacer lift was good and performed very well and the Dualsport I replaced it with was also very, very good.

 

[DanW]

I’d personally go Frankenstein. Skip kits. Buy springs you want, shocks you want, steering and track bars you want. None of these kits address steering. As soon as you lift and put larger tires on, you’ll regret not addressing steering. You don’t need to break the bank to do it either.

I only needed a better steering stabilizer on my JL. The Rancho track bar and Fox steering stabilizer did the trick. But I can always add steering components, if needed. Kit or not.

What I like about a kit, especially AEV, is that they put thought into the whole package....and testing. They have access to the Chrysler proving ground and the company was co-founded by a guy that helped develop the JK suspension. My JK drove and handled better than new after I installed the Dualsport on it. It rode slightly more harshly, but handled much better and carried a load MUCH better.

But to your point, there is some Frankenstein involved, anyway, since I will add an adjustable front track bar. Where AEV really pays attention is the rear. They nailed the geometry on the JK with the rear track bar bracket.

Probably the one and only drawback to me with AEV is the 5100 shocks. They are just a little stiffer than I like. But their valving has an AEV specific tune to work with their suspension setup and it results in excellent handling. I´d love it if they´d offer the 5600 upgrade, but that would also push it out of my budget.

 

[DanW]

In my opinion, Clayton is one of the best. They use quality parts and they know Jeeps well.

I know their rep, and it is great. But I have a big head scratcher with them. How come they don´t offer the drive shaft carrier bearing spacer? We all know that is an important piece. But they don´t have it. Neither does Mopar, which is a major oversight. Yet AEV does, which tells me they may be have more knowledge than some think.

To extend that further...AEV includes a jack riser and programmer. That kit is the closest I´ve seen to having every single necessary component. I only wonder why they didn´t include an adjustable front track bar. Their rear bracket centers the rear axle perfectly....or at least it did on my JK. I am expecting it to on the JT, as well.

I am now considering the Clayton $1500 lift, but I will still have to add shocks and the drive shaft carrier bearing drop spacer. I would probably go with the Fox shocks with this lift, but the Bilstein 5100´s are only $300, so that puts it at about $1900, which is only 100 bucks more than the AEV and includes both front and rear adjustable track bars. It is certainly an attractive option. The one thing I don´t love about the Clayton is that it removes the rake and levels the truck. I want at least a 1 inch rake. I can´t stand a nose-up rake when loaded. The AEV won´t do that and the Mopar pretty much leaves the factory rake. I have great confidence in the load carrying ability of the AEV. They talk directly about it on their website and my JK´s AEV lift performed exceptionally well in that area. I also wonder why Clayton advertises theirs as mainly for on-road with bigger tires and only light off-road use. Maybe that´s just to sell more of their more expensive kits? Probably. I can´t imagine why their $1500 kit would not do well off-road. Especially with good shocks.

I am still wondering if anyone has run the Bilstein reservoir shocks that come with the Mopar lift. I´m very curious about them and the kind of ride they deliver. I think they are the 5600 series?

 

[DanW]

I 2nd for Clayton, superior by far than those two kits.

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-25-overland-plus-lift-kit-2020-jt

Add shocks and you have a excellent kit. I am running Fox 2.0s on my 3.5" overland plus because my budget only allowed, but I am really happy with the ride.

That one blows my budget, even before shocks. Very nice, though. I would have to do the Ride Right lift below that one. I do love the ride on the Fox 2.0 shocks. That is one of the cons for me with the AEV, but I could add them later, when my bank account recovers.

 

[coastiej171]

I’ve been running the Mopar 2” lift. Only other thing I added was synergy front track bar ( no rear track bar or driveshaft carrier spacer) been amazing so far. Only thing I cosmetically don’t like is the front rake I have. Lift on JT is 3 years old so it has definitely settled. Always thought about upgrading or fixing the rake, but always afraid to “fix something that isn’t broke”. I’ll probably keep it the way it is and upgrade the shocks in the future. Unfortunately for you prices went up stupid crazy…I picked up my lift kit from Amazon (shipped from a dealer out of NY at the time) for 1300$

 

[WILDHOBO]

In my opinion, Clayton is one of the best. They use quality parts and they know Jeeps well.

I didn’t say they were bad, but I think the forum has overrated them because they market things well.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I know their rep, and it is great. But I have a big head scratcher with them. How come they don´t offer the drive shaft carrier bearing spacer? We all know that is an important piece. But they don´t have it. Neither does Mopar, which is a major oversight. Yet AEV does, which tells me they may be have more knowledge than some think.

To extend that further...AEV includes a jack riser and programmer. That kit is the closest I´ve seen to having every single necessary component. I only wonder why they didn´t include an adjustable front track bar. Their rear bracket centers the rear axle perfectly....or at least it did on my JK. I am expecting it to on the JT, as well.

I am now considering the Clayton $1500 lift, but I will still have to add shocks and the drive shaft carrier bearing drop spacer. I would probably go with the Fox shocks with this lift, but the Bilstein 5100´s are only $300, so that puts it at about $1900, which is only 100 bucks more than the AEV and includes both front and rear adjustable track bars. It is certainly an attractive option. The one thing I don´t love about the Clayton is that it removes the rake and levels the truck. I want at least a 1 inch rake. I can´t stand a nose-up rake when loaded. The AEV won´t do that and the Mopar pretty much leaves the factory rake. I have great confidence in the load carrying ability of the AEV. They talk directly about it on their website and my JK´s AEV lift performed exceptionally well in that area. I also wonder why Clayton advertises theirs as mainly for on-road with bigger tires and only light off-road use. Maybe that´s just to sell more of their more expensive kits? Probably. I can´t imagine why their $1500 kit would not do well off-road. Especially with good shocks.

I am still wondering if anyone has run the Bilstein reservoir shocks that come with the Mopar lift. I´m very curious about them and the kind of ride they deliver. I think they are the 5600 series?

The rake issue is a big one in my opinion. Leveled trucks are a cosmetic choice, not a functional one. A rake allows better loading as you know, and a better departure angle when off road. The carrier bearing spacer is easy. You know it’s important. Dana sells one that works great. I may even have an extra one you can have for the price of shipping.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I didn’t say they were bad, but I think the forum has overrated them because they market things well.

It was the part where you said "...but they’re not close to the best out there" that I don't agree with. I think they are one of the best.

 

[MrClortho]

It was the part where you said "...but they’re not close to the best out there" that I don't agree with. I think they are one of the best.

That is my take as well, and I have installed a dozen kits over the years. By far, the Clayton kit has been the best I have had in about 30 years of Jeeping. I tow a travel trailer and it handles it great. 80mph with one hand on the wheel is typical for me. However, I have not run Metalcloak or Terraflex, which would probably be my next choices.

 

[WILDHOBO]

It was the part where you said "...but they’re not close to the best out there" that I don't agree with. I think they are one of the best.

That’s why it’s a forum. We don’t always need to agree. I’m very glad you’ve had good experiences with them, and that matters. I admittedly have far less of their stuff on my Jeep, so therefore have less hands on with their components than you.

 

[Deadpool392]

It sounds like AEV is the kit you want, you have had success with their product in the past and that seems to be a key factor for you. I chose Clayton Off-road when I did my lift based on the many great reviews of their products. I paired the lift with Bilstein 5160 shocks, which I prefer for their firmer ride. I had the stock fox shocks and they were a little too soft for my liking. On my previous JKU I had the Fox 2.0 reservoir shocks and they were great also. I am not sure which model of the Bilstein’s comes with the MOPAR lift, I would guess they are (nearly) identical to the 5160’s, but that is only a guess.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of choices and the sky is the limit, AEV has a great reputation so I would vote them for your current price point/wants.

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