Coil Spacer for JKU

Sweetwater

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Location
The Great State of Mecklenburg
I'm looking to lift a JKU 2" using AEV spacer kit. Seemed simple enough way to easily run 285/70r17 on my stock wheels. Here's the kit (it can be had for ~$250):

American Expedition Vehicles - Brute Kit, V8 HEMI, Aftermarket Jeep Conversions, Products, Wheels, Accessories and Highline Kits for Jeeps (TJ, JK, WK, XK).

A few details on my Jeep: bone stock '15 JKU, auto, 3.73, daily driver, almost 20k miles per year at freeway speeds. On weekends this is a hunting, fishing, camping Jeep. That means fire roads and pasture edges, that's it.

So, I want to stay mild, not kill my MPG on the highway (18-19mpg every week), not run 35s, keep it close to OEM. I think the AEV 2" spacer kit looks easy and I see no reason not to run it and go up from my factory 255/75r17 (~32") to 285/70r17 (33"). That's all I want, just a little extra all-terrain meat under the fenders when I replace my OEM tyres so I look better and perform better on the weekends in the woods.

I go to my local AEV dealer and ask for the spacer kit. I'm a little surprised when I'm told it is a BAD IDEA. Hmmm. I would agree that spacers atop a spring pack is a no-go for me, and I haven't done that since 1990, but now I've got coils front and rear (this is Jeep #7 over 27 years...I'm old). Dealer says that a simple 2" spacer will destroy my ride and I will just be back for a 2.5" kit.

Fine, the 2.5" kit isn't ridiculous priced but it looks kinda silly with 33" cause it seems to be more like a 3+ inch lift on stock JKU...it really needs 34" or 35"; then you gotta regear to be "right" (I'm picky too, 3.73 just won't do for 35" IMO). I've been down this road before and my 2000TJ sits in the barn still never finished and waiting on ring and pinion job to 4.56.

So, someone, please tell me why the 2" AEV spacer kit is a bad idea in the "professional" opinion. As a side note, my AEV dealer had no opposition to a Terraflex 1.5" leveling kit....hmmmm
 
it's not a bad idea.

Its a simple affordable way to get what you want done.

They are trying to upsale you is all.

Your ride wont change that much, its still the OEM springs and shocks after all.
 
This is what I was thinking as well. If I were rich I'd do the 2.5" coil springs and 35" with a re-ring to 4.10 or deeper, but I'm a normal guy with teenage kids. My voice of reason says to forget the 285/70r17 and just run an OEM size AT tire and that would work...the Jeeper in me wants to mess with it, at least a little bit!

BTW, that avatar cracks me up. My XJ was my favorite Jeep on OME and 30" ATs. We had more fun in that XJ than any other, but this JKU is quickly moving into first place.
 
With the spacer kit, your ride frequency will change slightly because of the slightly different center of gravity height, and you'll have more body roll for the same reason, but you're not changing spring rate, and not changing dampers, and you still have solid axles like a horse-drawn wagon, so nothing is going to change significantly. The tire change will affect things slightly though, because you'll have a heavier wheel/tire combo to control with the stock springs and dampers, so you're going to be underdamped and have less wheel control. That's no different than changing tire size on a stock Jeep though, and has nothing specifically to do with the lift. Physics is physics.

The only downside is that you're not gaining any wheel travel. You have the stock length springs and stock length dampers, so you only have stock wheel travel.
 
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Excellent points Fabrik8! I had only considered the change of tyres as significant to braking, accelerating, and efficiency, but my choice is only 44# per as they are SL rated and not LT/e. I just don't see the need for LT/e rated 285/70r17 on this Jeep. Ride frequency is an interesting thing to consider.

I am guessing that a well-engineered 2.5" coil lift - like AEV - addresses the ride frequency issue and obviously provides more travel/articulation. You mentioned physics and my Std Poodle went all haywire:

asweetwaterfarms.smugmug.com_Pets_Gunner_i_JPkddTC_0_M_P1040670_M.jpg
 

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Ride frequency isn't affected by the tire weight, because it only affects the sprung mass (the parts of the vehicle supported by the springs), and having the body higher up can change how much it moves and therefore the frequency. The tire weight will affect the suspension frequency though, which is the unsprung mass (mostly the wheel/tire/axle, part of the suspension components, etc.).

If the marketing text on the AEV 2.5" lift is believable, it sounds like a well designed system. I'm more used to modifying cars, so I look at a sub-$1000 kit like that and it seems like a lot for the money, especially with damper valving that has some actual engineering development done to it.

The poodle in my picture isn't mine, it's just an awesome picture I found when looking at poodle haircuts. The wife wants one (a poodle, not a poodle haircut) because the standards are supposed to be really hypoallergenic, but we haven't committed yet. She hasn't been around them enough to know whether she's allergic or not. Are they as smart as everyone says?
 
Standard Poodles are as smart as everyone says. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Belgian Malinois, European bred German Shepherds, European mixes of these breeds, and one excellent German bred Rottweiler as well. The poodles is as smart, better mannered, easier to keep, and basically hypoallergenic. My intact male is 55#, does not shed a single hair, and has almost no smell, no kidding! They do require hair cuts (grooming) every 8-10 weeks, but sport cuts and puppy cuts can easily be done by normal guys like us. My Std Poodle points birds, flushes, and has no fear of livestock, strangers, or heavy equipment. He loves the sight of the shotgun and licks it when it is sitting out...Goldens and Labs have nothing on this guy! As a bonus, his bark is deep and he alerts the fence line and the doors as needed.

Contrast that to daily brushing with any fur-bearing dog, the oily dog smell, and the sneeze-inducing dander...a standard poodle is a winner. If I were shopping for one right now I would strongly consider a "Royal Standard". The gentleman who breeds these strives for temperament coupled with size near 65-70# for dogs and slightly less for bitches. They are fairly priced and really nice animals, ready to hang out and relax or hit the field and trails.
 
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IMO, the leveling kit is a great idea if all you want is 285's and no crazy wheelin. This will level the Jeep and give you an inch or two of additional height.

What are your spring numbers? You may be able to find some takeoff's with higher numbers and that will give you a stiffer, taller spring.

If you can do the spings + leveling kit you'll be right where you want to be, and have a good, stock ride quality. I run 20k per year and roll 75mph down the highway with no problem with my setup.
 
Fabrik8, Royals aren't local...about this time of year there's a Mecklenburg poodle club (that's not the name, can't remember) that does meet-ups around town to introduce and support the breed. I've never been to one, but Missus Sweet' has been and said there were several dozen dogs and owners present. I'll see if I can find the name...OK, Missus Sweet' says it is part of "Meet-Ups", whatever that is.

The Charlotte Standard Poodle Meetup Group

Here's a breeder in NC that does a good job and only focuses on Standards:

Red & White Standard Poodles for Sale from Family Affair Standards

She has a larger breeding operation, which I am often very wary of, but she is very down to earth, honest, clean, and working with a true love for the breed. She welcomes visitors and you can get around her dogs, bitches, and puppies all you want. She does NOT breed doodles, and that is a bonus to me (not being mean, just sayin' that I don't like the diluted breed line).
 
Rogue,

I am under the impression my springs are heavier rated as part of the "Max Tow Package" but I've gotten conflicting info about this. For what the sticker added in cost for that package it should be more than it is, but it was only way to get 3.73 when I bought this JKU.

Front right spring is 52126317ac, shortened ID# 6317ac
Can't see front left at the moment.
Back right full number is hidden at the moment but the short ID# is 4459aa

Does that equate to anything?

So, Rogue, are you running TF leveling kit and 285s?
 
Yes it does. 17/59 would be the short way to identify what you have.

You do have a good set, but you can go to 19/60's which are the stiffest. The 19's up front might get you leveled, then you could just add a 2" spacer kit.

I had 13/53 (IIRC) and I went to 18/59 which gave me somewhere north of 1.5" lift. I added 1" spacers and I run 315's now (had 285's) with cut fenders.
 
Thanks Rogue!

I might just look around for some good take-off springs, at least some 19s for the front. These JKs are fun, so much easier to mess with than my other Jeeps and trucks in the past. My only possible regret is not having 4.10s right now. If I were geared deeper than my 3.73s I would probably jump right into the 2.5" coil lift kit and run 35" tyres. Of course, getting 4.10s is only a matter of having it done and going into some credit debt but it might be cheaper than the cost from factory even if you add a locker at the time of the re-ring!.

OK, back to reality, and I feel pretty good about the little spacer kit choices (AEV and TF seem to yield similar results) and 285s.
 
The only reason I took my spacers out. Well when I put the bumper and winch up front the factory coils just had to much give on the road. The 2 inch coil spacers are a great way to get that little extra lift.
 
Anvilrubi, sounds like if any other modifications are coming later (bumper, winch), then I might as well go for new coil springs. The only way that might happen for me is if this Jeep retired from DD work and became a weekend warrior. I've got a while to consider all options...endless Jeep possibilities!
 
Just go ahead and longarm it Maybe they'll cut us a brake if we buy 2 kits:rockon:
 
Sweetwater,
Not sure if you called Tarheel (the local AEV dealer) and who you talked to but if I can help you out just let me know. I should have a used spacer kit (not AEV but spacers) floating around that I can work something out on with you if you want. If I can help you get the Jeep setup the way you want just give me a ring at 704-598-1000.

Andy
 
AnvilRubi, I like your style :)

Andy, I have bought two lifts from Ron and been exceptionally pleased. I recommend your team to others! I'm trying to stay super-mild with this JKU. If I'd gone for 4.10s when I bought this JKU, you guys would already have my money for 2.5 AEV kit and 34" or 35" tyres...with 3.73s, I'm scared to go that route, add 30# per tyre with 34" tyres (Toyo 285/75r17 are 68# each), and then have a dog on the highway....and then I'd have to regear and the wife would kick me out to live in the JKU (I lived in my XJ for a while, not too bad!).

This is how I ended up thinking about a spacer kit and 33" (285/70r17 Toyo ATII at only 48# each!). Again, this Jeep sees fire roads and pasture edges as its only off road work.
 
Well, I think I can come up with a used spacer kit if you want to go that way.
 
PM'ed you Andy...

I'm suffering serious Jeep envy. A girl at work bought a new JKU last week and she just had it lifted yesterday...she's so kool she called in a vacation day to get it done. Eager to see what she did next week and I gotta at least get some 33s on this thing! When I was a youngster I didn't think about mods so much, but now that I actually own nice stuff I've gotten soft!
 
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