View Full Version : American Expedition Vehicles
flyingwil
09-03-2005, 03:45 AM
Any one have experperience with AEV? I used to be a fan of their site and would dream of the 112" wheel base Wrangler prior to Jeep (O|||||O) buying their idea for the Unlimited. Looks like they have some great "off the shelf" products.
http://www.aev-conversions.com/
I like the the Brute! Bet they will soon be available from the Dealerships soon.
http://www.aev-conversions.com/Gallery/P1010161.jpg
goodtimes
09-03-2005, 04:19 AM
I have talked with several people who own vehicles that were modified by AEV. They do some very nice work, and the fact that all the modifications are covered under warranty is a bonus. Unfortunately, every person I talked to about their AEV vehicles ends up looking at me like I am crazy when I ask them about the off road performance....they were all street queens! The last guy I talked to was up in Surprize AZ, had a AEV built jeep rubicon, hemi conversion, dana 60 axles, ARB's, bumpers, skid plates, blah blah blah....the poor jeep never even saw a dirt parkinglot, let alone a nice scenic 2 track.....
flyingwil
09-03-2005, 05:59 AM
....they were all street queens! ....the poor jeep never even saw a dirt parkinglot, let alone a nice scenic 2 track.....
That so sad :confused: , looks like they amke some great products! Love watching that company!
The BN Guy
09-03-2005, 01:32 PM
Those are pretty sweet looking. Even if they are partial Jeeps. :D
Scott Brady
09-04-2005, 02:07 AM
The Brute is one of the best looking domestic rigs available. I would be proud to have one in my driveway and use it on the local trails.
It is probably pretty reliable too. All of the Wranglers I have owned have been flawless, even well past 100,000 miles. The others Jeeps do not share the same result...
montaņes
09-29-2005, 11:58 AM
those are very nice wrangler :Wow1:
About how many cost one ?
Scott Brady
09-29-2005, 08:58 PM
They are very expensive... Around $60,000 US.
I am waiting for a company to start doing Common Rail Diesel swaps into these vehicles. That will be exciting!
kcowyo
10-02-2005, 02:44 AM
I had heard from a local guy in town who attended the Moab Easter Jeep Safari that someone had rolled a brand new Brute on the slickrock. However I've yet to see any pics and I'm wondering if he was confusing the Brute with the brand new Rubicon that was rolled on Flat Iron Mesa Trail the same week -
http://fourwheeler.com/eventcoverage/129_0504_moab_32_z.jpg
The BN Guy
10-02-2005, 01:19 PM
Oooh! Doesn't like it went too far but still sucks to roll.
Astrejim
10-29-2005, 06:48 AM
That is a totally sad picture of the Rubi on its lid.
crawldit
10-31-2005, 09:39 PM
That picture is what happens when someone has more money than driving skills. That's the only thing that bothers me about companies creating these turn-key off road machines. Just because someone can afford it doesn't mean they should be behind the wheel ;)
kcowyo
11-01-2005, 03:49 PM
Crawldit - You and I are very much on the same page in our way of thinking.
I'm a big proponent of developing skills first, than adding modifications to enhance one's ability. Too many inexperienced folks think that having a locker, winch and sliders will enable them to take a "magic carpet ride" to anywhere. Modifications are enhancements, not substitutes for experience.
That said, that Rubicon was being piloted by two Jeep execs, who regardless of skill level and experience, should have had a little bit better understanding of what that vehicle was capable of. Sad and funny really.
kcowyo
11-01-2005, 10:59 PM
Here's a video of that Rubicon rolling in Moab (http://fourwheeler.com/av/129_0505_moab_vid2_roll/)
crawldit
11-01-2005, 11:25 PM
I bet the greenies love that video. It shows them rolling the Jeep back over on top of a bush and then they get a shot of the fluid spill on the trail :gunt:
Those are two reasons WHY they want to close those trails down.
Here's a video of that Rubicon rolling in Moab (http://fourwheeler.com/av/129_0505_moab_vid2_roll/)
don't you guys think the driver could have gotten a little more love from his spotter? if there was one. with that many dudes standing around someone should have seen that coming...
if there is something we could learn from that particular video what is it?
datrupr
11-02-2005, 02:57 AM
It is surprising how little damage there appears to be after that roll. It obviously decided to quit running after that. Kinda a bummer, that is a nice Rubi Unlimited there.
Nullifier
11-05-2005, 02:37 AM
Why didn't he drive it down? It looked to me like just a little sheet metal damage. I mean does anyone really care about their rides sheetmetal? Guy was probably crying "how am I gonna explain this to my wife!" ROTFLMFAO!
Looks like a fender hood canvas and some paint no biggie.
Nullifier
11-05-2005, 02:40 AM
My bad didn't blow it up and see the radiator was hit.
The BN Guy
11-05-2005, 12:27 PM
Anyone have an alternate link to the vid? Can't get it to play. :(
cshontz
11-07-2005, 03:46 PM
First post on EP. Hello! :D
You guys just missed it - a New Jersey fire department raffled off the gray AEV Brute for $100 per ticket. The drawing was held in early October, and it was won by a gentleman in Maryland. They had 2000 tickets for sale, and only around 1000 of the tickets were sold, making the odds of winning relatively good.
http://www.ok4wd.com/write/albums/tf05/images/PA092142.jpg
During the raffle, I had a good bit of exposure to the Brute. The overall quality of the conversion was still very high, but certainly not without its problems due to the complexity of the vehicle. These small problems aside, I would still love to have one, as AEV does great work. :)
To my knowledge, only 2.5 Brutes exist. There is the red one, that I think may have been disassembled to an extent, the gray one which was just raffled off, and a yellow one owned by Hi-Lift that you may have seen at SEMA.
Westy
11-08-2005, 04:30 PM
I believe more exist than that...
One of my friends parents know someone with a Brute as well...
haven
08-01-2008, 05:30 AM
There's a note on the JKBoard that AEV will announce
price and availability of their JK Hemi conversion on August 1.
And for some pure speculation:
Q. Why has AEV not developed a Brute version for the JK?
A. Because Jeep will start selling a pickup in 2010!
Personally, I find nothing even remotely attractive about the Brute. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of AEV (have some of their items), but the Brute is worthless in my eyes.
NOTE: Before everyone goes and gets their panties in a bunch, please realize that this is my opinion. I'd have zero use for that vehicle.
turner
08-01-2008, 07:23 AM
Personally, I find nothing even remotely attractive about the Brute. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of AEV (have some of their items), but the Brute is worthless in my eyes.
NOTE: Before everyone goes and gets their panties in a bunch, please realize that this is my opinion. I'd have zero use for that vehicle.
If I had kids i would totally agree with you. Just a reg cab? No way.... but since its just me and the little lady i"m totally in love with them!! lol. i guess its the bad that kinda reminds me of the old yota's in a way... too bad i'll never be able to drop the cash. by the time i can i'll have midgets runnin around.... so it would be another 18 years... lol
BIGdaddy
08-01-2008, 07:55 AM
Personally, I find nothing even remotely attractive about the Brute. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of AEV (have some of their items), but the Brute is worthless in my eyes.
NOTE: Before everyone goes and gets their panties in a bunch, please realize that this is my opinion. I'd have zero use for that vehicle.
same here...why would i get a tiny pickup for 60k that holds only two people and not much stuff...
i could get a dodge power wagon quad cab for like $50k...lol...
pretty good idea, though and well-executed. I like the sarge truck, and may end-up doing that to my unlimited with the roll up window canvas in the rear, but my 2door LJ is pretty perfect as-is. if i need more cargo room, i can tow a trailer. :)
97 zj steve
08-01-2008, 10:51 AM
i like the hard top with the full swing out door they did for an LJ and some of the guys in my club have the hood...me with a zj they have nothing for me but the rims and well its to pricey for me haha
cshontz
08-01-2008, 10:53 AM
AEV will announce price and availability of their JK Hemi conversion on August 1.
This is awesome for the pure gearheadedness of it. However, a HEMI in a JK doesn't sound so appealing with today's soaring gas prices. I would expect something better from AEV... like an engine that runs on tap water. C'mon, AEV. Bring back the innovation. ;)
97 zj steve
08-01-2008, 10:54 AM
This is awesome for the pure gearheadedness of it. However, a HEMI in a JK doesn't sound so appealing with today's soaring gas prices. I would expect something better from AEV... like an engine that runs on tap water. C'mon, AEV. Bring back the innovation. ;)
oh how they put the diesel in =)
However, a HEMI in a JK doesn't sound so appealing with today's soaring gas prices. I would expect something better from AEV... like an engine that runs on tap water. C'mon, AEV. Bring back the innovation. ;)
So far everyone I've talked to that has done the 5.7 hemi swap is claiming better mpg than the 3.8 in the new unlimiteds. Will let ya know. I visited AEV last week to discuss the kit and swap. I bought a new 5.7 crate motor and 545RFE tranny last Jan. Have just been waiting for the release of the conversion kit from AEV.
I bought a 5.7L V8 for my JK last about a month ago. Rather than getting a "kit", I'm putting it together piece by piece. Have the tranny already, will have the computer soon, and am fabricating the mounts. I'm hoping it will be put in by the end of September...getting all the parts are what's causing the hold-up.
The Hemi will certainly improve my gas milage. With as heavy as my JK is, the piss-ant 3.8L has to work overtime just to get up a slight incline. I drove from north FL to south FL in June and got 9 mph. Yes, N-I-N-E! The primary reason for that was the vehicle would have to down shift (shooting my RPMs from 2500 to 4800) to keep my speed around 65 mph every time I went up event the slightest of inclines.
While the Hemi won't do much for me in gas savings when city driving, I'm expecting a terrific increase in milage when on the highway/interstate.
AEV's Hemi conversion kit will do wonders for JK owners...making it relatively easy to drop in a more respectable engine. My guess is the cost of a conversion (nut to bolt) will cost around $22K. I'd hazard to take a guess at the cost of just the kit (minus engine and tranny).
This company is local to me and they do Hemi conversions into JKs as well. They have also done a few 2.8 CRD transplants.
http://www.burnsvilleoffroad.com/
If AEV made a brute conversion for the 4dr JK, I'd have to start saving my pennies. A four door convertible jeep pickup with a 3.0 CRD diesel would be ideal.
I bought a 5.7L V8 for my JK last about a month ago. Rather than getting a "kit", I'm putting it together piece by piece. Have the tranny already, will have the computer soon, and am fabricating the mounts. I'm hoping it will be put in by the end of September...getting all the parts are what's causing the hold-up.
The Hemi will certainly improve my gas milage. With as heavy as my JK is, the piss-ant 3.8L has to work overtime just to get up a slight incline. I drove from north FL to south FL in June and got 9 mph. Yes, N-I-N-E! The primary reason for that was the vehicle would have to down shift (shooting my RPMs from 2500 to 4800) to keep my speed around 65 mph every time I went up event the slightest of inclines.
While the Hemi won't do much for me in gas savings when city driving, I'm expecting a terrific increase in milage when on the highway/interstate.
AEV's Hemi conversion kit will do wonders for JK owners...making it relatively easy to drop in a more respectable engine. My guess is the cost of a conversion (nut to bolt) will cost around $22K. I'd hazard to take a guess at the cost of just the kit (minus engine and tranny).
$22 seems pretty high for the diy Jason, heck Burnsville will do a turn key swap for around 18.5 I'm counting on less than 10k total using AEV's kit. The kit is rumored to cost around $4,500. Will see next week. I went up to AEV last week and got a nice walk through on the whole swap. I was going to piece mine together also until I heard rumors of the kit. I'm glad I have waited. They really have everything dialed in. I would go their kit route if you have not gotten too far into parts already.
I've heard some good things about that company. COP4x4 also does Hemi conversions for JKs (5.7L and 6.1L).
The whole Brute thing is just something I don't get. For what I do, it wouldn't be practical. If I needed a pick-up truck, I guess it would be alright. But, I'd never off-road a pick-up. For one, their departure angles suck. Granted, I've seen some pick-ups that were set up nice and could do some good trails, but they'd have a problem following me on the trails.
I've heard some good things about that company. COP4x4 also does Hemi conversions for JKs (5.7L and 6.1L).
Yea Cop does not do their own conversions they farm them out to Burnsville. I believe Burnsville is planning on using the AEV kits also once they are out.
$22 seems pretty high for the diy Jason, heck Burnsville will do a turn key swap for around 18.5 I'm counting on less than 10k total using AEV's kit. The kit is rumored to cost around $4,500. Will see next week. I went up to AEV last week and got a nice walk through on the whole swap. I was going to piece mine together also until I heard rumors of the kit. I'm glad I have waited. They really have everything dialed in. I would go their kit route if you have not gotten too far into parts already.
Yes, when I guessed $22K, I knew it was a little high...yet I thought I'd error on the high side.
I got my Hemi and tranny for $2K...eat your heart out. hahahaha ;) So, my conversion isn't going to be much.
Brad Wilkins of Overbuilt Customs (www.overbuiltcustoms.com) is doing my swap and he's actually talked to AEV about their kit. It was considered, but in the end we decided to just do it ourselves. I'm looking forward to it...should be a lot of fun. Once we get all the parts, we're guessing we can do the swap in about a week from start to finish.
I got my Hemi and tranny for $2K...eat your heart out. hahahaha ;) So, my conversion isn't going to be much.
That is a great price.. New? I paid just under 2,800 delivered for a new crate motor back in Jan. and picked up a used 545RFE tranny that had less than 100 miles on it for 600. I thought I was doing good. :jump:
Hopefully mine will be in and running by the end of the month. I already signed up for a week of vacation to knock it out. I'm building a temp frame to use to pull the body off in the drive now. Per AEV body off is the way to go.
Yeah...very good price. In fact, it was so good, I couldn't say "no." :D The Hemi was $1.5K and the tranny was $500. It's not new...has 4K miles on it (same amount of milage that the 3.8L in there now has). I had a choice between 2 engines...the other one has about 1K miles on it. I went with the one with more miles because I've heard it's better to get one that's been broken in a little.
I can hardly wait to see it under the hood. I'll be getting a dress kit for it so that when I pop the hood it will have the "Daaaaaaaamn" effect. hahahaha Since I have a dual battery set-up with two blue tops, I want the dress kit to be blue (I'm not a big fan of chrome).
When you do the swap, make a build thread for your Jeep so that you can document it...I'd like to see it done. :)
Yeah...very good price. In fact, it was so good, I couldn't say "no." :D The Hemi was $1.5K and the tranny was $500. It's not new...has 4K miles on it (same amount of milage that the 3.8L in there now has). I had a choice between 2 engines...the other one has about 1K miles on it. I went with the one with more miles because I've heard it's better to get one that's been broken in a little.
I can hardly wait to see it under the hood. I'll be getting a dress kit for it so that when I pop the hood it will have the "Daaaaaaaamn" effect. hahahaha Since I have a dual battery set-up with two blue tops, I want the dress kit to be blue (I'm not a big fan of chrome).
When you do the swap, make a build thread for your Jeep so that you can document it...I'd like to see it done. :)
Will be interesting to see if the dual set up still works with the hemi in there.
I will take lots of pictures and stick them up somewhere.
ChuckB
08-01-2008, 07:55 PM
and picked up a used 545RFE tranny that had less than 100 miles on it for 600.
This sounds like a VERY intersting swap!! I'm not up to speed on the domestic stuff... is that an auto or manual tranny? Are there any manual options with the Hemi?
This sounds like a VERY intersting swap!! I'm not up to speed on the domestic stuff... is that an auto or manual tranny? Are there any manual options with the Hemi?
The 545RFE which is what's recommended is an auto. I have a manual trans now but am changing that out. They claim you can use the GetRag 238 from behind a 4.7 I went back and forth trying to decide which one to use and ended up going auto. They both have there pros and cons.
ChuckB
08-01-2008, 09:02 PM
The 545RFE which is what's recommended is an auto. I have a manual trans now but am changing that out. They claim you can use the GetRag 238 from behind a 4.7 I went back and forth trying to decide which one to use and ended up going auto. They both have there pros and cons.
thanks for the info!! Is the GetRag the stock JK 6-spd?
thanks for the info!! Is the GetRag the stock JK 6-spd?
No its the next model up. Its stronger than the stock jk 6 sp.
ChuckB
08-02-2008, 07:02 AM
No its the next model up. Its stronger than the stock jk 6 sp.
thanks i'm learning!
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