AEV 2” Lift or Metal Cloak 2.5” GC for Mojave

[Zachanadandy]

Before you spring for those expensive bumpstops, check and see if the teraflex progressive bump stops will suit your needs. I have them combined with the AEV lift and I immediately felt a difference. Much softer hitting the bumps than OE. The bumps are 1.5" longer, but I still kept the bump stop extension in the AEV kit effectively allowing the bump stop to hit sooner to do it's job of getting progressively stiffer the more it is comprised. I have hit some pretty big dips and bumps harder than expected and nothing has been overly jarring so far. They are pretty cheap so even if they dont work it's not a total loss. To my knowledge all of the hydro or air assist bump stops require cutting and welding.

He's got a Mojave, it came with hydraulic bumps up front and anything else is a downgrade.

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[chorky]

He's got a Mojave, it came with hydraulic bumps up front and anything wise is a downgrade.

Apparently I need more coffee.... comprehension before coffee is not great.

 

[Aleph]

He's got a Mojave, it came with hydraulic bumps up front and anything else is a downgrade.

For the rear, would the progressive bump stops work better for impacts while carrying weight especially off-road? Anyone know how they would compare to a Timbren/SumoSprings rear bump stop setup?

 

[Josh00333]

What did you end up doing OP?

I originally did spacers, 1.5 front and 3/4 rear, and recently ripped it all out and did a 2.5” AEV kit, really like it.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

After putting a couple of thousand of miles on the MC GC 3.5, couldn't be any more impressed. Sure hope OP went with MC. Either way, both are still pretty good. ?

 

[Green_Gladiator]

After putting a couple of thousand of miles on the MC GC 3.5, couldn't be any more impressed. Sure hope OP went with MC. Either way, both are still pretty good. ?

love the rig! I am looking to do the same thing MC lift with my Mojave. The fox shocks have run their course. What all did you need with install and everything. I’m all over the place not sure exactly what will be required to achieve the same, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[RoryC]

They don't claim to have a smoother ride than stock and "better" is subjective. Read AEV's description and you will clearly see that they advertise a more firm and controlled ride. Which is EXACTLY what they deliver. I had my JK in stock form, then with AEV spacers (Ride was same as stock....easy to see why....same springs, shocks plus the spacers) and then much later went to a 2.5" Dualsport lift. It rode exactly as they said....more firmly. But it also handled better and felt more responsive. On top of that, it handled heavy loads better. All of those things are exactly what they described in their advertising.

I'm currently considering AEV vs. Mopar for my Gladiator. It boils down to smooth ride vs. stiffer, more controlled, and better load bearing. I actually like both in certain situations.

Last note: One thing AEV does have that other vendors don't is access to the Chrysler proving ground. I'm not sure if that is the case today, but they did for many years. They are an OEM partner because they do their homework and they pay attention to details. One of their founders was on the suspension design team for the JK. The JL's suspension, including the Gladiator's front suspension, is an evolution of the JK. So I think AEV is a solid choice and from what I see, they deliver exactly what they describe. But I don't see anywhere where they make the claim for a smoother ride and "better" ride is highly subjective. To some, that is stiffer and more controlled. To others, it is smoother.

I've pretty much decided that my Gladiator will be on an AEV lift and will have better load carrying manners, and better highway manners, since I intend to tow heavier loads. My JL will happily remain on the Mopar lift and have that nice, cushy, Tahoe-like ride. Both will remain off-road beasts, in their own right.

As for Metalcloak, they have a great rep. I would look at them with confidence.

Thanks for this. This is what I needed to hear. Towing a 5k camper is important to us and being able to go most places. I am not trying to park it at the top of K2. Any other lift/suspension manufacturers that are OEM partners too?

 

[DanW]

Thanks for this. This is what I needed to hear. Towing a 5k camper is important to us and being able to go most places. I am not trying to park it at the top of K2. Any other lift/suspension manufacturers that are OEM partners too?

Not sure, but I believe there is at least one and maybe more. I don't know who did the Mopar kit, but I would imagine it is an aftermarket supplier. Pretty sure it is not AEV because they would have done something more with the rear track bar and would likely do something different with the front control arms. But maybe they did do it. Not sure.

 

[DanW]

Thanks for this. This is what I needed to hear. Towing a 5k camper is important to us and being able to go most places. I am not trying to park it at the top of K2. Any other lift/suspension manufacturers that are OEM partners too?

I will say this...the AEV Dualsport is said in some circles not to have as much articulation as some similar setups, but I have a hard time believing there is much of a difference. My JK's AEV suspension shocked me in Moab last October by appearing to have every bit as much articulation as my JL with the Mopar lift. That JL has more articulation than most of the Jeeps that have wheeled with us with similar lifts. So the AEV on the JK was really impressive.

I'm optimistic that the articulation on the JT with this AEV lift will be excellent. I haven't wheeled it yet, but that day is hopefully coming soon!

 

[Yman70]

Looks like Trail 42. You must have been volunteering? I ran it on opening day. I’m so happy with the work they did so I joined TRAL.

Yes, volunteered multiple times with TRAL in the St. Clair area. Plenty of fun trails, but 42 is the best.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

love the rig! I am looking to do the same thing MC lift with my Mojave. The fox shocks have run their course. What all did you need with install and everything. I’m all over the place not sure exactly what will be required to achieve the same, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Here's what I'm running;
- MC Gamechanger 3.5 + Extended brake lines
- Synergy MFG Sector Shaft Brace
- Synergy MFG (i think 2 ton or 1 ton steering HD system)
- Synergy MFG HD Front Track
- Tom Woody Drive Shaft
- Evo Front Sway Bar Links & MC Rear Sway Bar Links
- Hellwig Rear Adjustable Trackbar
- 35/12.50/17 (Falkens / Methods beadgrips) + Powerstop Extreme Z36 HD Brakes
- Tazed the Jeep for the right tire size.
- Banks Pedal Monster installed to eliminate lag. Just city mode, nothing to serious.

I think that's all at the moment that I can think of. Oh yeah, I don't recommend the shock extensions with the fox shocks. When I first had the lift installed with those shocks, it rode like a dump truck. I purchased the Kings Evo Spec for the 3-4 lift, and adjusted to 8 clicks in the front, 9 clicks in the rear, and it rides like a charm. I should probably build a journal on here soon.

Cheers

 

[Aleph]

I purchased the Kings Evo Spec for the 3-4 lift, and adjusted to 8 clicks in the front, 9 clicks in the rear, and it rides like a charm. I should probably build a journal on here soon.

how do the Kings ride/dampen in comparison to stock Mojave Fox shocks when it comes to bumps/desert running/etc?

 

[MojaveLawyer]

how do the Kings ride/dampen in comparison to stock Mojave Fox shocks when it comes to bumps/desert running/etc?

Thanks for the reply, Aleph!

The Kings ride pretty darn good going on washboard roads and over the speed bumps. If I were to reduce them one more click, you could be the shocks absorbing the bumps. I feel like that 8-9 clicks is just a smooch stiff perfect for those times of bumps and desert running.

Going out hunting on some rough roads in Northern AZ, I must admit, the shocks were a little bit too stiff, and it was somewhat of a rough ride. I never adjusted them for that hunting trip.

With the crappy AZ potholes / roads, these do perform top tier, for realsie. ?

 

[Green_Gladiator]

Here's what I'm running;
- MC Gamechanger 3.5 + Extended brake lines
- Synergy MFG Sector Shaft Brace
- Synergy MFG (i think 2 ton or 1 ton steering HD system)
- Synergy MFG HD Front Track
- Tom Woody Drive Shaft
- Evo Front Sway Bar Links & MC Rear Sway Bar Links
- Hellwig Rear Adjustable Trackbar
- 35/12.50/17 (Falkens / Methods beadgrips) + Powerstop Extreme Z36 HD Brakes
- Tazed the Jeep for the right tire size.
- Banks Pedal Monster installed to eliminate lag. Just city mode, nothing to serious.

I think that's all at the moment that I can think of. Oh yeah, I don't recommend the shock extensions with the fox shocks. When I first had the lift installed with those shocks, it rode like a dump truck. I purchased the Kings Evo Spec for the 3-4 lift, and adjusted to 8 clicks in the front, 9 clicks in the rear, and it rides like a charm. I should probably build a journal on here soon.

Cheers

Killer Setup! Thanks much for the details, I’m in the long process of deciding my next move regarding suspension as my Fox shocks are RIP. This is a great help ?

 

[Minty JL]

I have the MC 4.5" GC kit in the garage.

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