AEV Highline Fenders

[Tony_T]

OK, Im sure youve all heard of them and seen the pics. Is anyone in the AZVJC planning on getting some other than myself and Jason?

I plan on running them with a 3in lift and 37s. Of course I will beef up the axles and regear. My preference is having the ability to run the 37s and have the low center of gravity. I like the look of the AEV Brute from the SEMA show and that suspension setup is what im shotting for.

Like this:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/sema2006/day1/61.jpg

Comments/Suggestions?

[Keith Haw]

I've been kind of thinking about them...But want to run 33" tires...I'm thinking maybe with a 1"-2" lift...
Keith

[DsrtJeeper]

OK, Im sure youve all heard of them and seen the pics. Is anyone in the AZVJC planning on getting some other than myself and Jason?

I plan on running them with a 3in lift and 37s. Of course I will beef up the axles and regear. My preference is having the ability to run the 37s and have the low center of gravity. I like the look of the AEV Brute from the SEMA show and that suspension setup is what im shotting for.

Like this:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/sema2006/day1/61.jpg

Comments/Suggestions?

Hey Tony! That looks like 4 Wheelers front bumper. It'd good to see more people learning and realizing that LCG is the way to go. These 5.5" lifts are rediculous especially when used with 35" tires. My buddies and I can't believe the difference in off camber situations with our new Jeeps on 3.5" of lift. We've all switched from tall LA lifts to SA lifts with LCG. It's a whole new ball game and now I realize why this combo is so popular in Johnson Valley with it's numerous off cambers. As I add more protection; I attempt harder trails once again with noticeable positive results. I don't plan on putting this Jeep on trails only fit for buggies like I did with my TJ. Wranglers have their limitations without big modifications. The LJ is the best stock crawling platform Jeep has ever built. What you have planned will be an awesome combo as we've already seen what yours can do stock. ;)

[danno]

Tony, I think that it is a really cool concept... Just a bit spendy though for the entire setup

I am however considering buying the hi-line hood and making some tube fenders that follow the higher profile. They should be a very good match to the PSC Comp cut rear fenders that I am currently running.

The plan is to run 39.5s or 40s (with a 10 inch wheelbase stretch) and take an inch out of the 5.5 long arm that I am running.

When you get them, let me know, I would like to take a peek on the inside of the fender under the hood for a few ideas.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Hey Tony..How are you doing???? Your jeep is fine;)
Heres the 3.5 w/37's...
8867

The pic shown above is a lj with the new superlift l/a 6" lift with a 6.1 srt hemi and 40" tires!!!!!

8868

8869

8870

[Tony_T]

Darn, I thought they were bigger than 37's, but I was kinda hoping that was the 4in lift and 37inch combo so i can just have that done. Now, im undecided on what size lift and tires to go with. Not sure if I should just ditch the idea of 37s and go with a short lift and 35 and be done with it or not. In all reality my wrangler is my daily driver and i have been getting by with no lift on the trails so I'm starting to think 35 or 33's would be fine. I've just got bigger eyes right now than I need, but im sure my beautiful wife will bring me to reality when it comes time to get it done. haha

Thanks to Jason, Eric and the Service Dept. at Airpark for taking care of my Rubicon this week! Made it nice and easy for my wife to drop it off and have some warranty work done. It takes a lot of worry out of being thousands of miles away and knowing that friends are there to help out when needed and I do appreciate it.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Tony, just go with the 37's and a 3.5" lift..more tham enough to go where you want!!!! I ditched 33's becuase I got tired of getting my axles hung up!!!!!


Jason

[DsrtJeeper]

Tony;
If you go with 37's; you'll need to upgrade axle shafts and u-joints at a minimum. Don't be surprised if the Rubi lockers fail with this combo as they don't seem to be as heavy duty as an ARB. ROF is a good source for info on locker breakage. Also; you may need to add a Vanco Hydroboost to get decent braking. You will wear out balljoints and steering components quicker. Crossover steering with 3/4 -1 ton TRE's may be in order. After seeing you wheel; I'd suggest 35's max. You wheel great and you can run most of the trails with 35's. JMHO

[Crawldit]

Tony;
If you go with 37's; you'll need to upgrade axle shafts and u-joints at a minimum. Don't be surprised if the Rubi lockers fail with this combo as they don't seem to be as heavy duty as an ARB. ROF is a good source for info on locker breakage.
Very good point. I actually just read a thread on there about rear locker failure with larger tires and lower gears. Something to do with the rear locker also being a LSD that causes it to be weaker. I'm running 35's now with a 3" lift and eventually want a 4" lift with 37's. I've already bought Superior Evolution shafts for the front and a matching set for the rear are coming soon. When I go to 37's I'll probably sell the rear Alloys and go for the Super 44 with 33 spline shafts and a Detroit for the rear and then swap out the front U-Joints for some CTM's. Low and slow is the way to go in my opinion....

[Huck]

Hmmm, I resemble that thread, I mean uh, that's my rear carrier that ate itself last Saturday and one of my threads going on over there about it. You are correct about the lsd unit in our rear carriers being the weak link. The helical gears in our carriers have the responsibilty of transferring the load between one side of the carrier and the other. Over the past few years, the helical gears have found a way of blowing up when placed under the extra loads of higher gears, bigger tires, chromo axle shafts, etc..... A quick fix has been to replace them with a stock rubi front locker, since they work using standard spider gears, like an ARB. A few folks have had success using this method. The one thing not to forget, is that if you have re-geared your factory lockers (rubi specific) and want to go with a Detroit or an ARB, you'll need a new R&P. This is when using the Rubi specific 'thick-cut' gear-set becomes PITA. (You'll also need to purchase a new set of 4.10's if you have the stock gears because they are also 'thick-cut') I'm just waiting to find out if mine will be replaced under warranty or if I'm buying a front locker to replace the rear with.......

[dirtgrip]

Tony;
If you go with 37's; you'll need to upgrade axle shafts and u-joints at a minimum. Don't be surprised if the Rubi lockers fail with this combo as they don't seem to be as heavy duty as an ARB. ROF is a good source for info on locker breakage. Also; you may need to add a Vanco Hydroboost to get decent braking. You will wear out balljoints and steering components quicker. Crossover steering with 3/4 -1 ton TRE's may be in order. After seeing you wheel; I'd suggest 35's max. You wheel great and you can run most of the trails with 35's. JMHO
All true-37's can be real expensive to run.There is a lot more to it then just the lift although I agree with your idea of keeping a low COG.Cut it/highline it or use tubefenders,use bumpstops to limit uptravel, & longer shocks for more droop.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I disagree the need to upgrade ujoints and axle shafts of a rubicon... I run a dana 30 front with 37's and have not bent or destroyed any part of it. Its all about being easy on the skinny pedal. Many rigs are way over built to run these az trails.

jason

[DsrtJeeper]

I disagree the need to upgrade ujoints and axle shafts of a rubicon... I run a dana 30 front with 37's and have not bent or destroyed any part of it. Its all about being easy on the skinny pedal. Many rigs are way over built to run these az trails.

jason

Last time I knew; you didn't have lockers either??? I also ran 37's on a Dana 30 and know it's possible. You will incure more maintenance cost at some point if you start wheeling the more difficult trails that I did.

[Offroader5]

I have run 35's on my stock axles now for more than 3 years. I realize that everyone is talking about 37's, but hey 35's are still considered to big for stockies. I have yet to break a thing in regards to the axles or shafts/ujoints. I am pretty easy on that skinny pedal though and know how far to push it before the tires look too bound up...then back off and try a slightly different line. I AM still open diff'd at each end though, for the strength reason alone. I do some pretty tough trails too, mostly 4's and 4.5's...so I don't run it on the baby trails.

That 3.5" with 37's looks nice! Low and mean.:)

[Tony_T]

Ahh, back after a few days of the internet being down here and I like what im hearing.

If I go with 37's the plan was to upgrade as much as needed. If I go with 35's, which I am leaning toward, I'll still upgrade the shafts, regear, and change out the lockers as I have experienced problems first hand allready.

I had a front locker fail on me while out wheeling and it made the trails much more difficult in my stock rubicon form. Not fun.

The idea of my lift combination is to have a good setup that will last and be as capable as it is reliable, not too scared of how much its going to cost. I really like this Unlimited and I plan on keeping it for years to come.

My last truck, an 03 1500HD short bed 4x4, was nothing but trouble after I had it lifted. The shop that lifted it took a lot of shortcuts and didnt read instructions and manufactures recomendations too well and that lead to me spending a lot of money on it and constant problems. Then when I confronted them that they took a perfect truck with 5,000 miles on it and turned it into a piece of crap, they told me to pound sand. I will never be in that situation again. This time i'll know more about the setup and get what I want and have it done right.

A lesson I have learned is to get what you want now and not settle, cause in the long run it may cost you more. Whether it be repair, or taking it off and putting on what you wanted to begin with. And its cheaper than buying a new JK.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Tony, with the Aev fenders 35's can fit with only 2.5" of lift:D

Eric, I have a spicer track lok in the rear that serves its purpose. I do not intend to travel any more than a 4.0 trail in the near future as judgement day did lots of damage on the under side of my jeep. I plan to make my jeep more street friendly, but keep the 37's for clearence.

Jason

[DsrtJeeper]

Tony, with the Aev fenders 35's can fit with only 2.5" of lift:D

Eric, I have a spicer track lok in the rear that serves its purpose. I do not intend to travel any more than a 4.0 trail in the near future as judgement day did lots of damage on the under side of my jeep. I plan to make my jeep more street friendly, but keep the 37's for clearence.

Jason

So you can see where your previous advice may not work for all? If you ran lockers; you may have already broke something. That was my point. Often times; the most strain is put upon axle shafts and joints when you suddenly get traction or are bound up in a high traction area. With your LSD; you can still spin one tire thus alleviating much of the strain. With an open front; you also stand much less of a chance of breaking.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Point taken:rolleyes:

jason

[DsrtJeeper]

Point taken:rolleyes:

jason

Quit your whining white boy and answer your PM's!!! :D

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Quit your whining white boy and answer your PM's!!! :D

PM'd you back....