FWIW- I have had the AEV 2.5 in lift with the drop brackets on my 2 dr for about two years. As far as the brackets, I can't speak to the on road performance without them as I installed them with the lift at the same time. I can tell you they drop the LCA about 2 1/2 inches or so. As a result I have drug them & the LCA's quite a bit in the rocks. They haven't bent.....yet. I think I am going to take them off before that happens. The newer versions have the plates bolted together at one end, but they're still not as stout looking as the Rancho units. As far as the lift goes, ride is nice on road, maybe a little stiff, but I don't have a ton of weight on the Jeep yet. As far as off road, it's pretty good, again a bit stiff. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd look elsewhere. I think the AEV stuff is nice & of good quality, but I also think you can get a better set up with less or the same money spent with other brands. I think AEV has a pretty dialed marketing program! Hope this helps. :beer: