Notes on the AEV spacer lift.

[Rumpofsteelskin]

1. Being old, I can see why people pay for someone else to do this.

2. Doing it alone, on a concrete floor, with hand tools, isn’t conducive to being mobile the next day.

3. Wasn’t a difficult process, barring note 1 and 2.

4. Old sucks.

5. It’s complete, took a little longer than it should have, see note 1, 2, and 4.

6. I like it, but, I’m paying for someone else to install the full suspension lift in the future.

Sponsored

 

[SaiintNick]

No pics??

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

Weather wasn’t working with me, I’ll add some as soon as I get better conditions. Edit: Test drives to check it out after rotating your MT’s during the process makes noises that make you very paranoid.

 

[Stan H]

My list:
1. Old getting out of bed hurts
2. Old riding ling distance hurts
3. Old doing anything hurts
4. Old it hurts but I just keep going.

 

[Neomonk21]

I'm looking at getting this after I put my winch and bumper on. I'll see how much sag I get in the front and determine what I need. I'm guessing I'll just need the AEV leveling kit. I watched a video on how to install it and it does seem more involved than I would have thought.

 

[kevman65]

Yes, even old, retired construction workers have to admit that a time comes where we need to pay someone else to do the work.

 

[Hookr26]

Ah, it's not that bad. Here in the Pacific North West, out of the rain with warm clothes on. Only 66yrs young, hit FRA this year....wheeeee

I get my youngest (36) to help and assure if I go down under the jeep, somebody can pull me out.

I don't bounce as good as I use to.

I do have to agree that more padding than when younger has not provided more cushion on concrete. But blessed when I have concrete and our 30x50 shop to work in.

Getting projects completed isn't quite as quick as it use to be. But most of the time back then I did them solo.

35 years ago, My wife remembers well when I bought the new leaf springs for the 76 CJ5 to install a 4 inch lift. You remember those little wedges for the differentials. Solo of course, well she watched and provided moral support.

Ah...with only a breaker bar and rachet of course. Let's say after my weekend of getting it all done with a great big smile on my face. Remember when we use to think 32-33" tires and we were hanging in the clouds? it was sure nice she was willing to slather ice-e/hot on my shoulder and arms for the next couple days........every couple of hours.

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

No pics??

Proper wheels are ordered, and I’m looking into black Rubicon fenders, for just a bit more tire clearance.

 

[Andy29847]

HAHAHA - I'm 73 and I can identify with your conclusions. I put a Mopar lift on my Wrangler. I found thar reading the instructions (Not normal for me) provided good rest between the on the floor slut work. Also, getting those front control arm bolts off was tough!!! My super strong impact tool would not loosen the nuts on the frame end of the control arms. I was able get them loose by putting the impact tool on the bolt end. Torquing them to 190 ft/pounds is very hard too.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...it-2-door-kit-on-a-4-door.152536/post-3155699

 

[JKenTex]

I'm glad to see this, kinda.

I've done everything on previous vehicles (including Excursion which I still have) but I'm to a point that I'm admitting to myself that I don't look forward to, and my patience is really not cooperative. It was also a point of pride, but I guess I could be proud that I won't punch a frame or throw tools etc., before I realize that's dumb and I'm going to break something that doesn't need breaking.

That said, I have to have someone I really trust, but I've vowed to myself, I'm not doing anything until I finally realize it's time to part with my baby, the Excursion, with perfect mods to make it so more better, but nothing radical, but runs so good.....besides, we've been a pair for 22 years!!

 

[SoK66]

I’m 80.5 yo, have been wrenching either professionally or as a hobbyist since the 1960s. These days laying under my JK on the garage floor to simply yank and reinstall the rear driveshaft so I can service the center ball on its double cardan u-joint leads to a few mutters of “ why the fork are you doing this?” I did relent and had a local shop install some new TF Falcon shocks on it a couple weeks ago.

I did the TF 1.5” spacer kit on my ‘23 Willys JT a couple years ago. Same drill as the OP, garage floor crawling around on my hands & knees, the whole time going “It’s just a spacer lift you old fool, c’mon, get going!” But it did come out great. I added the Mopar 2” lift control arms for caster correction, plus TF’s 2” shock extensions to restore shock travel.

Since I have a JK for trails the JT is my daily and never sees trails. Still looks great and has been loads of enjoyment.

 

[JMojaveX]

I'm looking at getting this after I put my winch and bumper on. I'll see how much sag I get in the front and determine what I need. I'm guessing I'll just need the AEV leveling kit. I watched a video on how to install it and it does seem more involved than I would have thought.

I installed a warn zeon 10s on stock steel bumper using the grim mount. I dropped about 5/16" . I installed their 1/2" pucks. I didn't want to lose one bit of the internal bypass. Plus, I am anticipating some sag after awhile. so I just did it, no big deal, Took about 2 hours for me. I'm 64, I still wrench and offroad regularly, No pain, No gain!
Good luck!
j

 

[McRuss]

At 82, I just put new shocks on. Yes, a couple of days of residual pain but now I'm good. But not going to do any lifts. I am/was a fair mechanic but don't know about lifts. I would like to 'level' my 2020 Overland but no idea how. I did install a Badlands 1200 with rubber bumper and it turned out nice. Pulled a downed tree out of a back road last week, worked well.

 

[TuckerGrover]

What offset is needed for this spacer lift on a rubicon with stock suspension?

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Proper wheels are ordered, and I’m looking into black Rubicon fenders, for just a bit more tire clearance.

looks great! What size tires are you running in these pics?

Sponsored