Lift height coming in much taller than advertised

[Brandy]

Has anyone has a suspension system installed and it ends up being much taller than it was advertised?

I recently had a Teraflex RT2 2.5 inch suspension system installed on my 2024 392 and it ended up being 6 inches taller than before I took it in. I did add 37 inch tires so some of that will be contributed to the new tire size. Teraflex is no help and says that it will settle. It will not settle 3 inches. Spring part numbers have been verified and are supposedly correct. I’m at a loss at what to do and meanwhile my brand new Jeep is parked so I don’t destroy the driveshaft. Any info or experience on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KuntryRube]

Interesting post. I had to cross reference pictures of mine. I have a Clayton 3.5" and they did specifically say that theirs is underrated by half an inch so it's really more like a 4" lift. Yours looks to be like underrated by a full inch at least, maybe more like 1.5". I think you got a full 5" inches of actual lift. Keep in mind though that some companies account for a winch up front. That's why your rake looks off and the front wheel well looks so much higher than the back.

If you went from k02 35s to 37s then subtract 1.25 inches from your measurement result of 6 inches. K02s run small, 34.4 inches. If you're coming from a 33 then subtract 2 inches. Depends on your tire.

Don't worry it will settle, maybe about half an inch. Your driveshaft is fine, just don't flex it. Take a look at the front cv joint under the jeep. It shouldn't be pushing up against the bearing housing.

 

[guruman]

Has anyone has a suspension system installed and it ends up being much taller than it was advertised?

I recently had a Teraflex RT2 2.5 inch suspension system installed on my 2024 392 and it ended up being 6 inches taller than before I took it in. I did add 37 inch tires so some of that will be contributed to the new tire size. Teraflex is no help and says that it will settle. It will not settle 3 inches. Spring part numbers have been verified and are supposedly correct. I’m at a loss at what to do and meanwhile my brand new Jeep is parked so I don’t destroy the driveshaft. Any info or experience on this would be greatly appreciated.

It's not uncommon to get more than the advertised lift. Partly because lift companies want to under-promise and over deliver a bit, accounting for folks who have heavy bumpers/racks/winches etc... and partly for the aforementioned settling of springs, which is common.

Any amount of lift will accelerate the wear of the driveshaft, but accelerated wear is not the same as instantly breaking.

if you're not getting driveline vibration, I'd run it, with the understanding that if it does not settle, you'd need a new aftermarket driveline eventually.

 

[Brandy]

Interesting post. I had to cross reference pictures of mine. I have a Clayton 3.5" and they did specifically say that theirs is underrated by half an inch so it's really more like a 4" lift. Yours looks to be like underrated by a full inch at least, maybe more like 1.5". I think you got a full 5" inches of actual lift. Keep in mind though that some companies account for a winch up front. That's why your rake looks off and the front wheel well looks so much higher than the back.

If you went from k02 35s to 37s then subtract 1.25 inches from your measurement result of 6 inches. K02s run small, 34.4 inches. If you're coming from a 33 then subtract 2 inches. Depends on your tire.

Don't worry it will settle, maybe about half an inch. Your driveshaft is fine, just don't flex it. Take a look at the front cv joint under the jeep. It shouldn't be pushing up against the bearing housing.

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I definitely got a 4.5 - 5 inches. I went from the stock 35s to 37 Nitto ridge grapplers. But this isn’t what I wanted. I do not like the look of it. I love other people’s on taller lifts. But I’m not loving it on mine. I wanted a minimal lift to accommodate the 37s and have no rubbing when flexed. The springs will never settle enough for my taste. When you go to pick your Jeep up after putting a lift on it and you’re not saying wow I love that then something is wrong and something has to change. I don’t love this Jeep like it is.

 

[Brandy]

It's not uncommon to get more than the advertised lift. Partly because lift companies want to under-promise and over deliver a bit, accounting for folks who have heavy bumpers/racks/winches etc... and partly for the aforementioned settling of springs, which is common.

Any amount of lift will accelerate the wear of the driveshaft, but accelerated wear is not the same as instantly breaking.

if you're not getting driveline vibration, I'd run it, with the understanding that if it does not settle, you'd need a new aftermarket driveline eventually.

Thank you for responding. I totally get that but this is way over the advertised lift height. I do not like the look of my Jeep with this lift. I wanted a minimal lift to accommodate the 37 inch tires and not have any rubbing when flexing. I emailed with Teraflex before purchasing and this is what they recommended. They said it would be equivalent to a 3.5 inch lift on a non 392 Jeep. But that is not the case. The Earl Jeep has a 3.5 inch teraflex lift and the 392 is much much taller.

I do have a small vibration. I have been told that it could be drive shaft or ball joints. So it is parked until I can get the height figured out.

 

[3TV]

Install steel underbelly skids, steel bumpers, a winch, and load up the rear cargo area with recovery gear, and you'll be at the advertised lift.

 

[Jeepherz]

Nittos are bigger than the same size KO2s. Please check you exact load-rating but it looks like the Nitto (at 36.7") is 2.25" taller than your 35" KO2. (34.5"). Out of your 6" height you gained 3.75" vs the 2.5" lift you purchased. So overall you gained 1.25" more than you expected. It sucks in your position but 1" extra is common- and you've got an added 1/4". I am surprised that TF doesn't have a disclaimer on lift because they sure as heck used to. Most people think more is better which is why they may not be overly helpful. Their customer service is usually good; maybe try again?
And per above- your driveshaft isn't going to "go" anytime soon. But I would disagree with others- you've gained a lot of height so you do need to keep an eye on it for sure. (That's the thing people need to remember- its not just the lift height but the added height of the tire.)
And PS- as a female Jeep I'd assume that extra height is a pain in the ass. Which others may not get. My JK has a 4" lift on 35s. I never went to 37s because I didn't want the extra height. Gets old as a DD.

 

[guruman]

...(That's the thing people need to remember- it's not just the lift height but the added height of the tire.)

Increased tire size does not change the driveline angle...... FYI

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You sure it's that tall? I did the Teraflex 3.5 RT3 kit and it raised it almost exactly 3.5". Of coarse I gained another 1" going from 35s to 37s.

Yours looks like it is about the same height as mine which looks perfect to me.

I do have a winch and a couple of hundred lbs in the cargo so I guess that lowered it some.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Increased tire size does not change the driveline angle...... FYI

I would sure be going with the appropriate length driveshafts at that height though.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Install steel underbelly skids, steel bumpers, a winch, and load up the rear cargo area with recovery gear, and you'll be at the advertised lift.

Before my lift, I was loaded up and went wheeling the day after adding Rusty’s skid. I scraped everything single thing on the trail.

 

[WhiteKnight]

It's really frustrating when manufacturers are vague about the expected lift one can expect. AEV at least tries to provide lift information under different loads (like over and under 400 lbs. of extra cargo), as well as the equipment included or not for that load (metal bumpers, winch, etc).

Fingers crossed that Teraflex does right by you.

 

[Jeepherz]

Increased tire size does not change the driveline angle...... FYI

You are correct. Sorry. Temporary brain fart.

 

[Brandy]

Install steel underbelly skids, steel bumpers, a winch, and load up the rear cargo area with recovery gear, and you'll be at the advertised lift.

I already have steel bumpers. The winch will be installed soon

 

[Brandy]

You sure it's that tall? I did the Teraflex 3.5 RT3 kit and it raised it almost exactly 3.5". Of coarse I gained another 1" going from 35s to 37s.

Yours looks like it is about the same height as mine which looks perfect to me.

I do have a winch and a couple of hundred lbs in the cargo so I guess that lowered it some.

It is definitely that tall. I measured in several different spots before the lift and measured again after the lift was installed. I gained about 6 in the front and 5.5 in the rear.

 

[Brandy]

It's really frustrating when manufacturers are vague about the expected lift one can expect. AEV at least tries to provide lift information under different loads (like over and under 400 lbs. of extra cargo), as well as the equipment included or not for that load (metal bumpers, winch, etc).

Fingers crossed that Teraflex does right by you.

Thank you. Teraflex keeps saying that I should have only gained 2.5 inches over stock. I don’t think they know what’s going on with it.

 

[Brandy]

I would sure be going with the appropriate length driveshafts at that height though.

I totally agree with you but I am trying my best to get it back down. I don’t want it that tall.

 

[BenLandry]

Clearly the wrong lift was installed….no way you are 3 inched above advertised on the lift you ordered. Most are lower as advertised, and this is your 11th Jeep, you are an expert, they should make it right.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Has anyone has a suspension system installed and it ends up being much taller than it was advertised?

I recently had a Teraflex RT2 2.5 inch suspension system installed on my 2024 392 and it ended up being 6 inches taller than before I took it in. I did add 37 inch tires so some of that will be contributed to the new tire size. Teraflex is no help and says that it will settle. It will not settle 3 inches. Spring part numbers have been verified and are supposedly correct. I’m at a loss at what to do and meanwhile my brand new Jeep is parked so I don’t destroy the driveshaft. Any info or experience on this would be greatly appreciated.

Just as a note, the AEV 3" High Capacity springs are identical hight wise with the 2024 392 OEM.

The only difference is the massive difference in their wire thickness, probably 2x as thick as the OEM. Perhaps your 392 is too light for the springs. Have you added (or intend to add) any armor, shelving, etc in the future? You might want to communicate this to Teraflex to help your sizing.

 

[hardhat]

These are the measurements of my 2.5 Aev lift before and after. About 2 inches gain front and back. Looks good with the 37s. Rides and drives great. I did end up keeping my longer Mopar Lca’s for a tad more caster. No driveline vibes