Lessons learned in Moab

[Sw00per]

On the driver home last week from Moab I was thinking what upgrades would help on the next trip. A few things came to mind the last of which I need some advice.

Upgraded compressor hose from single to four. I might also upgrade my MESA to a MOAB with the hyperflex

Considering a front bumper of the stubby type

The most important is a lift. I have just started a quick search and came up with the AEV Galdiator specific 2 inch spacer lift. Not knowing whats best yet I thought I would open it up for some suggestions on options. I am more of the buy once cry once type within reason.

I would like to keep the current shocks and what to maintain good on road handling. No tire upgrade at this point since I have fairly new 35" BFG KO2s.

Thanks in advance.

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[PuddleJumper]

Sounds like a solid assessment. I already had quite a bit of wheeling experience before i got my Mojave. So I more or less knew what I'd need. Most of the work was in learning what the aftermarket decent brands were for Jeeps.

Personally I've been hesitant to lift my Jeep more than needed to clear whatever tire I'm running. On that note, it will fit 37s with no lift and contact a bit in the rear but causes no damage.
37s are noticeably more sluggish without a regear but it's quite livable. Though its my preferred way to get ground clearance.

I am however happily on 315s. Its the perfect all around tire for my use. Great MPG if you keep it C rated. Feels a lot better matched to the 4.10 gears than the 33s did. Has the perfect OEM plus look.

Lift can be annoying on a Mojave because your altering your suspension package that makes it great. The AEV lift is perfect if you just want lift and don't wanna run any extra offroad/overland weight.

The best OEM plus lift IMO is with Mopar extend LCAs, JLUXR front springs (these are 2in lift springs but very close to the Mojave spring ride), Iron man 4x4 2in rear spring for weight if you got it or spacers on your existing rear springs if you don't. JLUXR rear springs is also an option but they suck for weight handling. Then some shock extension brackets to keep your Mojave shock with some bump stop spacer to match. driveshaft carrier shims. Cheap, reliable, still feels like a stock Mojave


Currently I just run 3/4 daystar spacer all around. Its easier for my uses that way.

I will say if you want a "complete" buy once do it all kit. They all aren't really complete and still cost a lot of moola. Your gonna end up Frankenstein lift eventually is what I'm saying.

Your gonna alter it as your experience continues to grow and what your driving style will demand of it. Thats the fun part imo.

 

[HorneyBadger]

++ for the AEV spacer lift. Mine rides like factory and I go everywhere my buddy goes on a 2" Mopar and 35's.

 

[Not2Late]

I have a '21 Mojave with the AEV spacer lift and 35s. Wanted to keep my shocks and springs we pay so much for with this trim. I also added the geo correction brackets. Not sure I needed them, but figured it couldn't hurt since I was changing the caster a bit by lifting it and easy to do while everything was loosened for the spacer install anyway.

We just got back from moab last month. My lesson learned - this thing is not a JL! At least the way I have it built. Pretty sketchy going up and down top of the world - a few more scrapes and smacks then I would have wanted.

My solution: keep the Mojave and talked the wife into adding a '23 JL Rubicon 2-dr to the stable to build up!

 

[Sw00per]

Sounds like a solid assessment. I already had quite a bit of wheeling experience before i got my Mojave. So I more or less knew what I'd need. Most of the work was in learning what the aftermarket decent brands were for Jeeps.

Personally I've been hesitant to lift my Jeep more than needed to clear whatever tire I'm running. On that note, it will fit 37s with no lift and contact a bit in the rear but causes no damage.
37s are noticeably more sluggish without a regear but it's quite livable. Though its my preferred way to get ground clearance.

I am however happily on 315s. Its the perfect all around tire for my use. Great MPG if you keep it C rated. Feels a lot better matched to the 4.10 gears than the 33s did. Has the perfect OEM plus look.

Lift can be annoying on a Mojave because your altering your suspension package that makes it great. The AEV lift is perfect if you just want lift and don't wanna run any extra offroad/overland weight.

The best OEM plus lift IMO is with Mopar extend LCAs, JLUXR front springs (these are 2in lift springs but very close to the Mojave spring ride), Iron man 4x4 2in rear spring for weight if you got it or spacers on your existing rear springs if you don't. JLUXR rear springs is also an option but they suck for weight handling. Then some shock extension brackets to keep your Mojave shock with some bump stop spacer to match. driveshaft carrier shims. Cheap, reliable, still feels like a stock Mojave


Currently I just run 3/4 daystar spacer all around. Its easier for my uses that way.

I will say if you want a "complete" buy once do it all kit. They all aren't really complete and still cost a lot of moola. Your gonna end up Frankenstein lift eventually is what I'm saying.

Your gonna alter it as your experience continues to grow and what your driving style will demand of it. Thats the fun part imo.

Thanks for all the details. I do plan on adding a cap so there will be some added weight.

 

[Sw00per]

I have a '21 Mojave with the AEV spacer lift and 35s. Wanted to keep my shocks and springs we pay so much for with this trim. I also added the geo correction brackets. Not sure I needed them, but figured it couldn't hurt since I was changing the caster a bit by lifting it and easy to do while everything was loosened for the spacer install anyway.

We just got back from moab last month. My lesson learned - this thing is not a JL! At least the way I have it built. Pretty sketchy going up and down top of the world - a few more scrapes and smacks then I would have wanted.

My solution: keep the Mojave and talked the wife into adding a '23 JL Rubicon 2-dr to the stable to build up!

So belly and hitch dragging? I

 

[Not2Late]

So belly and hitch dragging? I

Belly some (but picking good lines helped), hitch yes - especially coming down those rock shelves. Some of the lower control arm attachment brackets (rears especially) as well. And I think I had a front wheel ABS sensor wire get overstreched or something. It threw a code when I got to the top and would not go into 4wd anymore. Panicked for a moment. Ended up tricking a reset by turning vehicle off for a bit and then putting in 4low on restart before moving. Ended up being a wire above the sensor wire being stretched/broken. Maybe dropped a wheel to far?

 

[Josh00333]

I’ll go against the grain, don’t do a spacer.

do a real lift, I’m a fan of the Aev 2.5” kit with 5100 shocks.

If you liked Moab you’ll be back and then be looking at better set ups, just do it.

I did spacers first and ripped them out 2 years later.

4 hose will not fill faster fyi you can only push x air down a hose. They may be more convenient to do all 4 but it’s not over all going to speed things up.

 

[Sw00per]

I’ll go against the grain, don’t do a spacer.

do a real lift, I’m a fan of the Aev 2.5” kit with 5100 shocks.

If you liked Moab you’ll be back and then be looking at better set ups, just do it.

I did spacers first and ripped them out 2 years later.

4 hose will not fill faster fyi you can only push x air down a hose. They may be more convenient to do all 4 but it’s not over all going to speed things up.

I will look into the AEV 2.5. Is that the RT or The XP? Thanks for the tip on the compressor.

 

[Josh00333]

I will look into the AEV 2.5. Is that the RT or The XP? Thanks for the tip on the compressor.

I did the RT with the 5100 shocks, I couldn’t justify the 8100 series shocks.

 

[SightsOfIron]

I’ll go against the grain, don’t do a spacer.

do a real lift, I’m a fan of the Aev 2.5” kit with 5100 shocks.

If you liked Moab you’ll be back and then be looking at better set ups, just do it.

I did spacers first and ripped them out 2 years later.

4 hose will not fill faster fyi you can only push x air down a hose. They may be more convenient to do all 4 but it’s not over all going to speed things up.

I'm of the same mind set. Lift over spacer if you plan to offroad.

 

[Sw00per]

I did the RT with the 5100 shocks, I couldn’t justify the 8100 series shocks.

Thanks - I should of looked at the details of each before asking since you did say 5100. Do you have any photos posted I can look at. Additionally, do you have stock fenders? If so do you know the measurement from the ground to the fender?

 

[Josh00333]

Thanks - I should of looked at the details of each before asking since you did say 5100. Do you have any photos posted I can look at. Additionally, do you have stock fenders? If so do you know the measurement from the ground to the fender?

Check my build thread. I have stock max tow fenders.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/joshs-rig-oscar.47649/

 

[HooliganActual]

I will look into the AEV 2.5. Is that the RT or The XP? Thanks for the tip on the compressor.

FWIW, regarding the 4 hose air system, it's not quite as straight forward as being able to push only so much air down the line. Here's a link to an old post of mine. Take a second to read it. It really comes down to how you have the 4 hoses hooked up. In the post, you'll see that I have one manifold (larger than the hose diameter) that goes to all 4 wheels. Most of the 4 hose systems I've seen just keep teeing off of each other and that does inhibit the overall volumetric flow.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/new-jeeper-airup-air-down.71349/post-1167327

I'll also agree with a couple of the previous comments which fall under the "buy once, cry once" concept. I have nothing against spacer lifts but it sounds like your use case (and that you're already planning to do more wheeling) would really indicate you should not throw money at the spacer lift and then have to eat that cost when you eventually go to a full suspension lift. Really consider skipping the intermediate step.

I also know that this wasn't really a "What lift should I get?" thread but let me throw out some food for thought: I agree that it sucks moving to a full suspension and "throwing away" the premium Mojave suspension that you already paid for, but there is a take-off market where you can recoup some of that money. I sold the entire suspension and rock rails from my JTR on this forum for several hundred dollars...all locally.

I have no bias for any particular lift; Clayton, MetalCloak, AEV, etc. In fact I have the AEV DualSport XT on my 2016 JKUR. Here's the curve ball, go find an Icon Vehicle Dynamics dealer and talk to them. We have a shop not far from me here in PHX that builds Trophy Trucks for running Baja races and Icon is what they use to build the suspensions on those trucks. I put a 2.5" Stage 6 Icon lift on my Rubicon and it is the best suspension I have run on a Jeep...ever. That's 40 years of owning Jeeps and I currently own 3. I want to rip the AEV out of my 2016 JKUR andput an Icon in.

I have ripped my big phat 6280# JTR rigged for overlanding down desert roads down here in Phoenix and I would put that suspension up against my AEV DualSport XT any day of the week.

Sorry for the diatribe. I get it when I hear Mojave owners say they don't want to give up their Mojave desert running suspension but then go and buy suspensions that are made for rock crawling. Look at Icon, seriously.

Cheers.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Although I can’t afford it, Icon does make great components.

I’ll be in Moab in 4 weeks with my Overland diesel on 4.5” lift and 37s. Also running Asfir skid plates front to back and a hitch slider.

As stated above the compressor manifold is where all the magic happens. On a side note I’m a hair over 7 minutes from 14 to 36 psi on four 37s with a generic 4 tire up/down system. I don’t have to turn my compressor off and go from tire to tire. I just hook all 4 up and grab a beer, and when I’m done they’re all at the same pressure. To each their own.

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