Sarge502: The Practical Overland (Progress Thread)

[Reddout99]

Thanks. Distinction Applied

Just finished watching your YT video on this grill. I was thinking about buying a cheapy from eBay & having it painted. This would end up costing about as much as the DA version. I actually like that the headlight buckets and grill slot surrounds are gunmetal gray. It is that way on my stock 80th Anniv. grill. Thanks again. Now subscribed to your YT channel.
Going to start putting a little money aside and get this ordered

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[Sarge502]

Just finished watching your YT video on this grill. I was thinking about buying a cheapy from eBay & having it painted. This would end up costing about as much as the DA version. I actually like that the headlight buckets and grill slot surrounds are gunmetal gray. It is that way on my stock 80th Anniv. grill. Thanks again. Now subscribed to your YT channel.
Going to start putting a little money aside and get this ordered

Awesome. Yeah that grill grew on me quick. I agree about the area around the headlights. Not sure if the prices have changed or not since I purchased but I will say what help me justify it more was doing the PayPal pay in 4 option instead of just paying it all at once.

Thanks for the YT sub as well!

 

[Sarge502]

Installed the Dirt Road Cred High Power Floor Kit in RGB

 

[Sarge502]

Update:

Finally installed AEV's Dual Sport 2.5 RT suspension. Have been putting this off for the longest so it's well overdue extremely happy with the ride quality so far significant difference. I highly recommend.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Update:

Finally installed AEV's Dual Sport 2.5 RT suspension. Have been putting this off for the longest so it's well overdue extremely happy with the ride quality so far significant difference. I highly recommend.

I presume you went with the standard duty spring set? I ran Metal Cloak on my last Jeep. Nothing wrong with it - just looking at various options.

No front driveshaft needed? I see their kit doesn't have a front track bar. Did you add one or see need for it?

Trying to convince myself that my truck does not need 35s or a lift kit.

Not working out well.

 

[Sarge502]

I presume you went with the standard duty spring set? I ran Metal Cloak on my last Jeep. Nothing wrong with it - just looking at various options.

No front driveshaft needed? I see their kit doesn't have a front track bar. Did you add one or see need for it?

Trying to convince myself that my truck does not need 35s or a lift kit.

Not working out well.

Yup went with the standard springs. Even the standard, accounts for up to 400 lbs of additional weight (primarily those with steel bumpers, winches, etc). Spoke to AEV numerous times on this since I do have a steel bumper and winch. Per AEV, the only need for the high capacity springs are recommended for those with heavy overland builds with toppers, RTTs and racks. Inquired about the high capacity with them considering I dont have a lot of the extra weight and although I could have went that route, the ride would have been hella firm, which kind of defeats the purpose on this kit considering its one of the most comfortable out there (largely due to the incorporated geo correction brackets).

Did not need an "adjustable" track bar. Some have added it. But definitely no need. And the kit comes with driveshaft spacers to lower it slightly.

Highly recommend this. Did the install myself too

But yeah good luck tring to convince yourself about not needing a lift and 35s. I tried early on and didnt work out well. lol.

 

[Stan H]

Yup went with the standard springs. Even the standard, accounts for up to 400 lbs of additional weight (primarily those with steel bumpers, winches, etc). Spoke to AEV numerous times on this since I do have a steel bumper and winch. Per AEV, the only need for the high capacity springs are recommended for those with heavy overland builds with toppers, RTTs and racks. Inquired about the high capacity with them considering I dont have a lot of the extra weight and although I could have went that route, the ride would have been hella firm, which kind of defeats the purpose on this kit considering its one of the most comfortable out there (largely due to the incorporated geo correction brackets).

Did not need a track bar. Some have added it. But definatley no need. And the kit comes with driveshaft brackets to lower it slightly.

Highly recommed this. Did the install myself too

But yeah good luck tring to convince yourself about not needing a lift and 35s. I tried early on and didnt work out well. lol.

Why exactly did you not need a track bar ? Which one front or rear ypu speak if . ?? Explain please.

 

[Sarge502]

Why exactly did you not need a track bar ? Which one front or rear ypu speak if . ?? Explain please.

Sorry should have been more specififc. What he asked or what I assume he was asking, is if after installing, would you need a front adjustable track bar to help center back the axle.

In this particular kit, I was saying no you dont need an additional adjustable track bar for the front. Its not that signifcant of a difference. Don't get me wrong, I know people with this kit that have one or people who had one before installing it, so added it after the fact. But it doesn't need one (an adjustable one should I say). You use the stock one you already have.

The rear does have a track bar relocation bracket in this kit. But same you use the stock one.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Yup went with the standard springs. Even the standard, accounts for up to 400 lbs of additional weight (primarily those with steel bumpers, winches, etc). Spoke to AEV numerous times on this since I do have a steel bumper and winch. Per AEV, the only need for the high capacity springs are recommended for those with heavy overland builds with toppers, RTTs and racks. Inquired about the high capacity with them considering I dont have a lot of the extra weight and although I could have went that route, the ride would have been hella firm, which kind of defeats the purpose on this kit considering its one of the most comfortable out there (largely due to the incorporated geo correction brackets).

Did not need a track bar. Some have added it. But definitely no need. And the kit comes with driveshaft spacers to lower it slightly.

Highly recommend this. Did the install myself too

But yeah good luck tring to convince yourself about not needing a lift and 35s. I tried early on and didnt work out well. lol.

Cool. I like AEV's philosophy behind their kits, and I am not building a rock monster so that's why I've been looking harder at them. I am also a big fan of my Bilstein 5100s (that I just bought a few months ago so another reason why I'm like I 'I dont need a lift...') so another + one for the AEV.

My current tires (Falken AT3's) that I got from a Rubicon are getting loud and I'm shopping for tires to have a quiet set again, which led to 'Hey get 35s if you gotta buy rubber...' and here we are. Poentially going down a path

 

[ChrisNLA]

Sorry should have been more specififc. What he asked or what I assume he was asking, is if after installing, would you need a front adjustable track bar to help center back the axle.

In this particular kit, I was saying no you dont need an additional adjustable track bar for the front. Its not that signifcant of a difference. Don't get me wrong, I know people with this kit that have one or people who had one before installing it, so added it after the fact. But it doesn't need one (an adjustable one should I say). You use the stock one you already have.

The rear does have a track bar relocation bracket in this kit. But same you use the stock one.

Correct - front.

And to your point it's easy enough to save money up front, see if the difference is annoying, then just order one and slip it in later since it can be done with the truck on the ground with no jacks (and a buddy or a ratchet strap to wiggle the truck side to side to get the bolt in).

 

[Sarge502]

Cool. I like AEV's philosophy behind their kits, and I am not building a rock monster so that's why I've been looking harder at them. I am also a big fan of my Bilstein 5100s (that I just bought a few months ago so another reason why I'm like I 'I dont need a lift...') so another + one for the AEV.

My current tires (Falken AT3's) that I got from a Rubicon are getting loud and I'm shopping for tires to have a quiet set again, which led to 'Hey get 35s if you gotta buy rubber...' and here we are. Poentially going down a path

Lol. Oh I get it for sure. Not sure if yours are different. But since you mentioned already having the Bilstein 5100s(which I also love) But the ones in this kit with AEV are specifically tuned to the JLs/JTs. So to maybe save you a little money, you could always purchase the rest of the components of this kit separately through AEV (springs, geo brackets, hardware pack, etc). Assuming your shocks are the same.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Lol. Oh I get it for sure. Not sure if yours are different. But since you mentioned already having the Bilstein 5100s(which I also love) But the ones in this kit with AEV are specifically tuned to the JLs/JTs. So to maybe save you a little money, you could always purchase the rest of the components of this kit separately through AEV (springs, geo brackets, hardware pack, etc). Assuming your shocks are the same.

Considered this - but I'd lose some travel as I'm certain mine are shorter than what the kid includes, and I am not a fan of extended shock mounts.

It's not a deal breaker - my shocks are mint, so I am sure shiny new Bilstein 5100's with a Teraflex leveling kit would get me a few dollars on marketplace.

The other kicker is I'm gonna be on the edge of what my Apex disconnects can deal with, and that would be a real pisser if those won't swap over. Edit: Which Apex says mine need to be used with stock length shocks

 

[Sarge502]

Considered this - but I'd lose some travel as I'm certain mine are shorter than what the kid includes, and I am not a fan of extended shock mounts.

It's not a deal breaker - my shocks are mint, so I am sure shiny new Bilstein 5100's with a Teraflex leveling kit would get me a few dollars on marketplace.

The other kicker is I'm gonna be on the edge of what my Apex disconnects can deal with, and that would be a real pisser if those won't swap over. Edit: Which Apex says mine need to be used with stock length shocks

Ok so then it sounds like your 5100s aren't the same in this kit. Which I wasn't aware. Hmm. I get not being a fan of shock extensions. But at the same time although it's a different kit, AEV themselves have stock extensions for the front and rears of their 2" spacer lift which had before the Dualsport and ran for a few years with no issues. Actually I'd kept that kit had I not wanted new springs and shocks which is what that kit lacked and why I eventually upgraded.

But also I wouldn't really try adding shock extensions in after the fact mix and matching components either just to save a few bucks. So I get it. I guess you could just get the dualsport and sell your current 5100s.

Also funny you mention the Apex disconnects. I literally just purchased some the other day, but haven't installed them yet. I considered them early on but knowing I eventually wanted to upgrade my shocks and springs to this kit, I waited just to be certain I based the selected stroke size option correctly. Ended up buying the 10.5. Again haven't installed them. But they should be fine with this kit. But again if your shocks are different than maybe not. Also not sure what size apex you have either. So I definitely get your concern.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Ok so then it sounds like your 5100s aren't the same in this kit. Which I wasn't aware. Hmm. I get not being a fan of shock extensions. But at the same time although it's a different kit, AEV themselves have stock extensions for the front and rears of their 2" spacer lift which had before the Dualsport and ran for a few years with no issues. Actually I'd kept that kit had I not wanted new springs and shocks which is what that kit lacked and why I eventually upgraded.

But also I wouldn't really try adding shock extensions in after the fact mix and matching components either just to save a few bucks. So I get it. I guess you could just get the dualsport and sell your current 5100s.

Also funny you mention the Apex disconnects. I literally just purchased some the other day, but haven't installed them yet. I considered them early on but knowing I eventually wanted to upgrade my shocks and springs to this kit, I waited just to be certain I based the selected stroke size option correctly. Ended up buying the 10.5. Again haven't installed them. But they should be fine with this kit. But again if your shocks are different than maybe not. Also not sure what size apex you have either. So I definitely get your concern.

Mine are regular 5100's you'd buy for any vehicle, except I went 1" longer in the front to go along with the Teraflex leveling kit I already had.

Yea I have the 8" model Apex disconnects. I bought those a lot longer ago though, like three years. Well before I was considering anything I am now. Shortly after they came out I believe.

Anyway - we'll see where we land! 33s will do anything I have in my plans - 35's just look cooler doing it.

 

[Sarge502]

Armorlite Floor Replacement Installed

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