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

[RodRecket]

I am down to two kits...Mopar vs. AEV. I am leaning strongly to AEV, but have a soft spot for the Mopar because it has performed so well on my JLUR (35´s, F/R adjustable track bars)

AEV:
Pros...

• Cost. $1800 + front adjustable track bar. I can sell the Pro-Cal as I already have a Taser and I can sell the LCA drop kit. I already have a Rancho kit. Mopar is over $2k and I would add front/rear adjustable track bars.
• Only needs a front adjustable track bar (maybe not). Rear bracket takes care of centering the rear on AEV.
• AEV comes with an $80 jack base. (Nice!)
• Tighter handling, better load carrying dynamics (less sag in the rear.)
• Tight dynamics will be better for towing.
• Includes drive shaft carrier bearing lowering parts.

Cons...

• Rougher ride, especially off-road with Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Mopar:
Pros:

• Plush ride. Especially off-road, with Fox shocks.
• Bilstein shocks with reservoirs are an unknown quantity in terms of ride, but I really like that they have reservoirs.
• I can sell or get rid of the LCA´s with the kit because I would use my Rancho LCA drop kit.
• Cool wooden box. (I really don´t care about this.)
• Did I say smooth ride? My brother´s 2020 JT with Fox shocks/Mopar was the smoothest riding Jeep I´ve ever experienced, on and off-road. It was wonderful.

Cons:

• Cost...Significantly more after tax and track bars than the AEV.
• Needs both front and rear adjustable track bars.
• Would need to get part to lower the drive shaft carrier bearing.
• Handling won´t be as crisp as AEV.
• Will sag more under load, (Not a huge issue.)
• Probably a little less stable when towing.
• I really don´t need the big box. (But it is cool)

I´d love to hear final feedback from folks with either of these lifts. I really think I´d be happy either way. I would especially love to hear from someone with the latest version of the Mopar with the Bilstein reservoir shocks.

My budget is about $2k, so the more expensive lifts are out. Plus, the Mopar has handled EVERYTHING I have thrown at it on my JL, including 3 trips to Moab and the hardest trail I´ve ever run in a Jeep, which was in Vermont. The AEV on my JK also handled that trail, with flying colors. Both were outstanding on the JK/JL.

I´m looking forward to making the purchase and getting this Gladiator lifted up and ready for the trail! I have a set of 35¨ Kenda Klever AT3´s waiting in the wings.

Thanks in advance for your expertise and advice! Love this forum!!!

I have had 2 JTs and each of these lifts. My for Sport had a Mopar lift that I eventually Frankensteined with other components. My second JT has the AEV which I had also added onto including all 8 control arms. Both my JTs have been used for DD, work around the house, road trips towing a small teardrop, and pretty hard wheeling. I prefer the AEV lift for almost all uses. It handles everything on the street better. Offroad, I have scraped everything under the rig and the brackets don't really make that big of a difference. They certainly have not kept me from hitting hard trails.

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[Beowulf]

AEV

 

[TheTrailGeek]

I put the Mopar on mine. Would not do it again if I could go back. Definitely better lifts out there.

 

[Shopshirt]

If you go Mopar lift there is a parts list on here. Don't pay extra for the fancy box and source your own shocks.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

I am down to two kits...Mopar vs. AEV. I am leaning strongly to AEV, but have a soft spot for the Mopar because it has performed so well on my JLUR (35´s, F/R adjustable track bars)

AEV:
Pros...

• Cost. $1800 + front adjustable track bar. I can sell the Pro-Cal as I already have a Taser and I can sell the LCA drop kit. I already have a Rancho kit. Mopar is over $2k and I would add front/rear adjustable track bars.
• Only needs a front adjustable track bar (maybe not). Rear bracket takes care of centering the rear on AEV.
• AEV comes with an $80 jack base. (Nice!)
• Tighter handling, better load carrying dynamics (less sag in the rear.)
• Tight dynamics will be better for towing.
• Includes drive shaft carrier bearing lowering parts.

Cons...

• Rougher ride, especially off-road with Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Mopar:
Pros:

• Plush ride. Especially off-road, with Fox shocks.
• Bilstein shocks with reservoirs are an unknown quantity in terms of ride, but I really like that they have reservoirs.
• I can sell or get rid of the LCA´s with the kit because I would use my Rancho LCA drop kit.
• Cool wooden box. (I really don´t care about this.)
• Did I say smooth ride? My brother´s 2020 JT with Fox shocks/Mopar was the smoothest riding Jeep I´ve ever experienced, on and off-road. It was wonderful.

Cons:

• Cost...Significantly more after tax and track bars than the AEV.
• Needs both front and rear adjustable track bars.
• Would need to get part to lower the drive shaft carrier bearing.
• Handling won´t be as crisp as AEV.
• Will sag more under load, (Not a huge issue.)
• Probably a little less stable when towing.
• I really don´t need the big box. (But it is cool)

I´d love to hear final feedback from folks with either of these lifts. I really think I´d be happy either way. I would especially love to hear from someone with the latest version of the Mopar with the Bilstein reservoir shocks.

My budget is about $2k, so the more expensive lifts are out. Plus, the Mopar has handled EVERYTHING I have thrown at it on my JL, including 3 trips to Moab and the hardest trail I´ve ever run in a Jeep, which was in Vermont. The AEV on my JK also handled that trail, with flying colors. Both were outstanding on the JK/JL.

I´m looking forward to making the purchase and getting this Gladiator lifted up and ready for the trail! I have a set of 35¨ Kenda Klever AT3´s waiting in the wings.

Thanks in advance for your expertise and advice! Love this forum!!!

I don't have a lift yet, so can't offer an opinion. But, I am interested in the Kenda Klevers. Have you used them before? If yes, what's your experience?
Or, is this your first set?

 

[smlobx]

I have the AEV full lift with the 400# springs and love them. They are a little firm when I’m not carrying a bunch like overlanding but I like a firm ride so it’s not an issue for me.

The reason I like AEV is that their kit is complete. Who else includes spacers for the carrier bearing to keep the factory driveshaft angle OEM? ‘Nuff said.

 

[DanW]

I don't have a lift yet, so can't offer an opinion. But, I am interested in the Kenda Klevers. Have you used them before? If yes, what's your experience?
Or, is this your first set?

I bought 2 sets and put the first set on my JK. We took it to Moab. First, the highway ride was excellent. They were very quiet and they tracked well. They were excellent in the wet, too. Off road in Colorado and Moab they were just as impressive. Especially on the slick rock. They also were good in sand and in the one spot on the Rimrocker Trail where we got into some mud. I've not driven them in snow, but I would guess they will be outstanding. Overall, I like them better than the KO2's I had on my JLUR for awhile, and I loved the KO2's everywhere but in rain. The Klevers are MUCH better in the rain.

So I'm excited to get them onto the Gladiator once I get her lifted up.

 

[DanW]

Northridge just upped the ante with what appears to be a 10% off offer on the lift because it has been sitting in my cart for probably a month now. That gets this thing down to about $1,620, which makes it even more of a bargain.

I wonder how much the Mopar kit would be if the parts were purchased individually instead of as a kit?

 

[JTGuy]

I have the Mopar lift with lots of Synergy extras. I know my lift will never be finished.

 

[MCATDT]

I am a big fan of the AEV lift. I added MC trackbars to it and its been perfect for my use. On road it is miles better than stock and off road its been worry free. I am a big proponent of the rear rake both for looks and usefulness. While other Gladis on trail rides get hung up I seem to just cruise through especially in areas prone to high center or getting the rear end hung up due to departure angle. The LCA brackets have been no issue on the trail and set the front geometry perfectly. I wanted a simple and high quality lift that I could trust and this has absolutely fit the bill for me.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

Metalcloak.

Cheers ?

 

[tom.mary.glad]

I bought 2 sets and put the first set on my JK. We took it to Moab. First, the highway ride was excellent. They were very quiet and they tracked well. They were excellent in the wet, too. Off road in Colorado and Moab they were just as impressive. Especially on the slick rock. They also were good in sand and in the one spot on the Rimrocker Trail where we got into some mud. I've not driven them in snow, but I would guess they will be outstanding. Overall, I like them better than the KO2's I had on my JLUR for awhile, and I loved the KO2's everywhere but in rain. The Klevers are MUCH better in the rain.

So I'm excited to get them onto the Gladiator once I get her lifted up.

Thanks for the detailed response.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

I am a big fan of the AEV lift. I added MC trackbars to it and its been perfect for my use. On road it is miles better than stock and off road its been worry free. I am a big proponent of the rear rake both for looks and usefulness. While other Gladis on trail rides get hung up I seem to just cruise through especially in areas prone to high center or getting the rear end hung up due to departure angle. The LCA brackets have been no issue on the trail and set the front geometry perfectly. I wanted a simple and high quality lift that I could trust and this has absolutely fit the bill for me.

One last question, what size Klevers did you get? Seems like they don’t come in 35”. Closest I see is 315/70R17 which a tire calculator says is 34.4 x 12.4.

 

[aevgladitorrubi]

I am down to two kits...Mopar vs. AEV. I am leaning strongly to AEV, but have a soft spot for the Mopar because it has performed so well on my JLUR (35´s, F/R adjustable track bars)

AEV:
Pros...

• Cost. $1800 + front adjustable track bar. I can sell the Pro-Cal as I already have a Taser and I can sell the LCA drop kit. I already have a Rancho kit. Mopar is over $2k and I would add front/rear adjustable track bars.
• Only needs a front adjustable track bar (maybe not). Rear bracket takes care of centering the rear on AEV.
• AEV comes with an $80 jack base. (Nice!)
• Tighter handling, better load carrying dynamics (less sag in the rear.)
• Tight dynamics will be better for towing.
• Includes drive shaft carrier bearing lowering parts.

Cons...

• Rougher ride, especially off-road with Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Mopar:
Pros:

• Plush ride. Especially off-road, with Fox shocks.
• Bilstein shocks with reservoirs are an unknown quantity in terms of ride, but I really like that they have reservoirs.
• I can sell or get rid of the LCA´s with the kit because I would use my Rancho LCA drop kit.
• Cool wooden box. (I really don´t care about this.)
• Did I say smooth ride? My brother´s 2020 JT with Fox shocks/Mopar was the smoothest riding Jeep I´ve ever experienced, on and off-road. It was wonderful.

Cons:

• Cost...Significantly more after tax and track bars than the AEV.
• Needs both front and rear adjustable track bars.
• Would need to get part to lower the drive shaft carrier bearing.
• Handling won´t be as crisp as AEV.
• Will sag more under load, (Not a huge issue.)
• Probably a little less stable when towing.
• I really don´t need the big box. (But it is cool)

I´d love to hear final feedback from folks with either of these lifts. I really think I´d be happy either way. I would especially love to hear from someone with the latest version of the Mopar with the Bilstein reservoir shocks.

My budget is about $2k, so the more expensive lifts are out. Plus, the Mopar has handled EVERYTHING I have thrown at it on my JL, including 3 trips to Moab and the hardest trail I´ve ever run in a Jeep, which was in Vermont. The AEV on my JK also handled that trail, with flying colors. Both were outstanding on the JK/JL.

I´m looking forward to making the purchase and getting this Gladiator lifted up and ready for the trail! I have a set of 35¨ Kenda Klever AT3´s waiting in the wings.

Thanks in advance for your expertise and advice! Love this forum!!!

AEV all day long!!! I've had both and the Mopar lift is junk...

 

[Shopshirt]

Northridge just upped the ante with what appears to be a 10% off offer on the lift because it has been sitting in my cart for probably a month now. That gets this thing down to about $1,620, which makes it even more of a bargain.

I wonder how much the Mopar kit would be if the parts were purchased individually instead of as a kit?

When I ordered mine I was at $650 for all the parts except rear bump stops (out of stock at the time) and shocks.

Added Bilstein B5100 shocks on sale for $430. So about $1080 total.

I added adjustable bump stops and an adjustable front track bar. I will likely get an adjustable rear track bar and either geo correction brackets or Adjustable LCAs to get some caster and ride quality back.

I kinda want it closer to stock ride on the road. So the AEV kit has a little more upfront $ wise but you get a more parts. The Mopar kit at full price was a non-starter for me for what it is.

The Net is you'll likely be adding more parts for the Mopar lift driving the price up. My earlier comment was more about not paying for the big wooden box. Also, because of that big box the shipping on the kit can be a little eye watering.

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