Mopar vs AEV spacer lift?

[leopardprey]

Bear with me. Read some old post but trying get more feedback. Especially since now probably some had both kits on for many miles/years.

Debating between Mopar 2” kit and the AEV 2” spacer kit - on my JT Rubicon.

Mopar would be dealer installed, will
give me decent discount on the kit and labor.

AEV spacer kit , will add aev geo correction brackets and steering damper (at advice if AEV sakes rep).

like that the aev kit has bearing spacer for driveshaft.

jeep service tech says driveshaft still in limits with Mopar lift.

ride quality on roads, handling most important.

Doing lift for stance, Ride, clearance, looks. Don’t do serious off road, daily driver plus some dirt roads, but of off trail during hunting season, may take long overland cross country trip in future.

plan on adding AEV salta wheels and bfg ko2 315s, C rating tires.



If did the math right , the AEV spacer kit installed will overall cost about $1000 less than the Mopar kit. But don’t mind the extra $1000 if worth it.

Peace of mind installed by dealer?

Thanks.

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[Lunentucker]

You can buy the drive shaft spacer and geo brackets separately.
The Mopar lift will use slightly lengthened control arms to compensate for caster loss, but that doesn't correct suspension geometry, and you may experience a slightly harder ride as road forces are imparted into the frame slightly more.
Rockjock has the spacer and Rancho has the brackets.
In theory you could do the Mopar lift and then add those later if you feel a loss in ride quality or handling.

For the stabilizer, I'd upgrade either way. The stock one isn't much.

 

[Real_Name_Hidden]

The only downside to the aev geo brackets is they hang down and will get caught on stuff going offroad, you would get a slightly better ride on the road however.

the aev kit comes with the pro-cal which is nice if you're doing it yourself and don't have the ability to change the speedo without it.

I've got the aev spacer lift, minus brackets on 315s km3s and I drag the belly going over curbs in the walmart parking lot as is, I wouldn't want to have more stuff hanging off the belly for a smaller lift.

Ride quality is jeep, not horrible, but not great. It is miles better than my old long arm XJ, but worse than the Silverado I traded in to get the gladiator. If I wanted something that didn't drive like a jeep I wouldn't have bought a jeep.

 

[Lunentucker]

The brackets ride higher than many other suspension and drivetrain components.

Read carefully.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/relocation-brackets-vs-long-control-arms.61582/

 

[Bjeepz]

The Mopar lift will handle better as the shocks are an upgrade, spring rate will be firmer also I believe. If you like the warranty peace of mind the Mopar is the way to go. Then as others have said you can add the geo brackets and driveshaft spacer if you feel it is needed.

 

[Curt Oz]

I'd go with the Mopar lift for peace of mind.
If you go with the AEV lift and there's a problem down the road, some dealers will blame it on an aftermarket kit.
If they installed a kit from the factory you shouldn't have a problem.
Just my personal opinion

 

[Jerhemi]

I have the AEV spacer kit. No complaints. Quality components. I plan to add Rubicon springs and shocks in the future. The Rubicon is already quite capable and can clear 35" stock. If you're just looking for a bit of lift, go with the spacer kit IMO. Or go with the Mopar lift and sell me your take offs

 

[cafecito]

I vote the AEV route for several reasons.

1. You bought a Rubicon, so you already paid for an upgraded suspension. Buying the Mopar kit for a Rubicon is at least a little bit wasteful if you aren't seriously concerned about the performance of the shocks themselves (which it doesn't sound like you are).
2. Even though, as you pointed out, the Mopar kit still leaves the driveline in spec, I like that the AEV brackets actually address the issue proactively.
3. After the AEV install, you'll have very little leftover parts to deal. The Mopar kit will leave you with a crate of springs, shocks, end links, and other crap that you'll have to find a new home for.

Also, the Mopar shit is just stupidly overpriced.

 

[JackalopeSean]

We have installed a ton of the Mopar lift and we are AEV Dealer...You are not comparing apples to apples, You should get the AEV 2.5 kit - It is less then the Mopar (now, Mopar used to be less) and it taller and comes with Snap Programmer and Geo Brackets...Plus it rides great

 

[leopardprey]

We have installed a ton of the Mopar lift and we are AEV Dealer...You are not comparing apples to apples, You should get the AEV 2.5 kit - It is less then the Mopar (now, Mopar used to be less) and it taller and comes with Snap Programmer and Geo Brackets...Plus it rides great

Well after talking with AEV rep, he basically told me without steel bumpers, winch, etc a d using 35” tires that the 2.5” kit would sit me up too high, higher than 2.5” and leave to much open space. He said the 2.5” is really for loaded down jeeps with 37”. I have no desire to do 37”, add new bumpers, winch etc.

2

 

[JeepTaco]

Bear with me. Read some old post but trying get more feedback. Especially since now probably some had both kits on for many miles/years.

Debating between Mopar 2” kit and the AEV 2” spacer kit - on my JT Rubicon.

Mopar would be dealer installed, will
give me decent discount on the kit and labor.

AEV spacer kit , will add aev geo correction brackets and steering damper (at advice if AEV sakes rep).

like that the aev kit has bearing spacer for driveshaft.

jeep service tech says driveshaft still in limits with Mopar lift.

ride quality on roads, handling most important.

Doing lift for stance, Ride, clearance, looks. Don’t do serious off road, daily driver plus some dirt roads, but of off trail during hunting season, may take long overland cross country trip in future.

plan on adding AEV salta wheels and bfg ko2 315s, C rating tires.



If did the math right , the AEV spacer kit installed will overall cost about $1000 less than the Mopar kit. But don’t mind the extra $1000 if worth it.

Peace of mind installed by dealer?

Thanks.

I found myself in this same predicament when choosing between the 2 lifts you mentioned. The exception is that I have a willys not a rubicon.

I ended up going with AEV 2 in spacer lift with rancho geo brakcets. Haven't had time to install yet but will have time soon.

I chose the spacer lift as Im not planning on rock crawling or doing any extreme off roading. Light trails and dirt roads for me.

In order of how I use my gladiator:
Daily driver.
Truck things.
Convertible.
Off road.

Both are good choices regardless of what you pick.

 

[Bjeepz]

I have the AEV spacer kit. No complaints. Quality components. I plan to add Rubicon springs and shocks in the future. The Rubicon is already quite capable and can clear 35" stock. If you're just looking for a bit of lift, go with the spacer kit IMO. Or go with the Mopar lift and sell me your take offs

Good point for the OP to close the price difference going with Mopar!

I had death wobble on my 2020, I felt the Mopar lift didn't have as many components as my JKS 3.5 inch lift, dealer was clear that Chrysler Fiat whoever said not a Mopar lift don't touch it. I was livid!!

 

[Bjeepz]

Well after talking with AEV rep, he basically told me without steel bumpers, winch, etc a d using 35” tires that the 2.5” kit would sit me up too high, higher than 2.5” and leave to much open space. He said the 2.5” is really for loaded down jeeps with 37”. I have no desire to do 37”, add new bumpers, winch etc.

2

Plenty of ppl running 2.5 inch lifts with 35's................... Sure you could fit 37's, but 35's won't make your truck look retarded! It will look and still drive great!

 

[JackalopeSean]

Well after talking with AEV rep, he basically told me without steel bumpers, winch, etc a d using 35” tires that the 2.5” kit would sit me up too high, higher than 2.5” and leave to much open space. He said the 2.5” is really for loaded down jeeps with 37”. I have no desire to do 37”, add new bumpers, winch etc.

2

Some people go for that open fender look and without knowing what your going for I was making sure your were talking apples to apples...Even the Mopar lift on a Rubicon with 35's will be tall (the Mopar will give your about 3 inch of lift) We have install the Mopar 2 on JT sports and they fit 37's

I know those that run a 1.5 front spacer lift and 35's
you could run the AEV 2" spacer lift and it will look good but be sure to add the Geo brackets and upgrade that track bar to something like the Teraflex HD trackbar.

question...why are you not wanting 37's (I find a lot of the reasons are due to miss information)
I lift a lot of Jeeps and every JL and JT Rubi that ends up going 35's comes back and tells me that I was right in recommending that they go 37's because after a few trails and seeing other Rubis on 37's the look is perfect. BUT there is about 1% to 5% that the 35 fits there needs and they are happy with the look. If you are not in a hurry go to a few club meets and look at the JT's on 35's and 37

 

[leopardprey]

No desire to re-gear and loose power with 37s, plus do not want E rated tire.

Truck will be mainly :
Daily driver
Truck stuff
Occasional dirt road, trails. Backcountry. Possible overland trip.

Thanks for the info.

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