What do you do when you want big travel from the rear of your JK, but aren't ready to take the Sawzall to your new rig to make room for that shock hoop, compromising your cargo compartment or body integrity? Well, we have the answer for you in the form of Off Road Evolution's Evo Lever cantilever rear suspension system, an innovative evolution of the Jeep Wrangler JK suspension system.
For those of you not familiar with a cantilever-style suspension system, it is a design that uses a lever that is only supported on one end, while the opposite end takes the suspension movement, allowing the shocks to be positioned parallel to the ground in a compact push/pull arrangement.
The Evo Lever upgrade is designed to work with any aftermarket short- or long-arm kit and combines 8-inch-travel King 2-inch Pre Runner Series coilovers (although just about any off-the-shelf 8-inch reservoir shock will work if your brand loyalties lie elsewhere), preloaded with Off Road Evolution's proprietary valving. The coilovers mount to a trick 3/16-inch rear subframe on the frame side and cantilever arms on the axle side. The kit is available in either a weld-on or a bolt-on configuration and is easily installed in half a day with the right tools, while the bolt-on kit can be returned to stock. The Evo Lever will give you up to 14 inches of vertical wheel travel and can even be upgraded for those who want to go huge to the Double Throw Down option that will let you run triple bypass shocks. While the standard suspension setup is designed for mixed use, Off Road Evolution can adjust the suspension tune to favor high-speed wheeling or slow-speed crawling, whatever you prefer.
The Evo Lever also increases ground clearance and is height adjustable. Off Road Evolution says 42-inch tires will fit if you decide to go with a long-arm kit, while short-arm kits are limited to 37-inch tires. One other item of note, you will need an aftermarket exhaust setup as the Evo Lever installs under the body where the muffler resides from the factory.
The basic Evo Lever system...
The basic Evo Lever system is essentially what you see here and includes all hardware. The skidplate is an option.
Mel Wade, owner of Off Road Evolution, invited us to document the install on a customer's JK Unlimited undergoing the transformation at his facility in Fullerton, California, and we were impressed with how well this kit has been engineered and how quickly the Evo Lever was able to be installed.
1. The first order of business...
1. The first order of business after securing the vehicle on the rack was to remove the old suspension-shocks, sway bar, track bar, and springs.
2. We then attached the cantilever...
2. We then attached the cantilever arms and cantilever end links to the subframe for easier installation. Notice the spherical bearings on the end links-this is the vital piece that allows the Evo Lever to articulate.
3. While the subframe was...
3. While the subframe was on the bench, we also installed the limit straps.
4. The subframe was then lifted...
4. The subframe was then lifted in to place behind the rear axle of the Jeep and bolted to the frame.
5. Some minor grinding is...
5. Some minor grinding is required to securely attach the upper track-bar mount to the frame.
6. Here you can see the area...
6. Here you can see the area that was ground down to accommodate the new upper track-bar bracket.
7. The owner of this vehicle...
7. The owner of this vehicle chose the weld-on lower track-bar bracket, which is recommended for heavy-duty use.
8. The mounts for the cantilever...
8. The mounts for the cantilever end links were also welded to the axle.
9. To protect the fresh steel...
9. To protect the fresh steel from corrosion, a liberal coat of chassis paint was applied to the new components.