AEV's MILSPEC Jeep J8 DOA?

[Packy]

Recently, AEV redesigned their website, and I noticed that the Jeep J8 project page was taking off, along with the J8 MILSPEC bumper. From their own company forum, it seems that AEV has discontinued the J8 project, or its not taking new orders. :Wow1:
Does anyone know the fate of the AEV J8 or if any were actually were delivered? I know that Scott Brady has a heavy-fuel J8...one of the lucky ones, I guess.
I heard rumors of that a few people are importing them from the Egypt or Israel...is that possible?...legally speaking

thanks in advance for the intel:ylsmoke:
-Packy

 

[TangoBlue]

... it seems that AEV has disconnected the J8 project, or its not taking new orders. -Packy

Do you mean discontinued? I don't think they ever had any connection to Egypt's manufacturing capacity for Jeep J-8's, rather through CHRYCO.

 

[Packy]

Yes! Discontinued...sorry about that

 

[Repo503]

Ive heard the J8 project had been canceled...not sure I would want to be trying to manufacture anything in Egypt today either. As I understand it the Israelis never got off the ground.

 

[Packy]

Do you know why AEV canceled their 120 build-ups?

Yeah, I don't know if I would buy an Egyptian built J8, an Isreali one would be a yes.

The IDF has their "storm" milspec Jeeps made by AIL, and the third generation, akin to the J8, is being made and delivered to the IDF as we speak

Here is a link to a write-up of the IDF Storm3 Jeep;

http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep j8 road test.htm

 

[762X39]

As I understand it (and I have never understood the Jeep thing) the J8's were kits that needed to be finished (engine) and then somehow registered/licensed by the owner. Like everything else that everybody say's they want, when it came to coughing up the money to do a J8, the price of admission was too steep or the hoops that need to be jumped through made ownership out of reach. This is all speculation on my part of course. What I think will be a winner for AEV is the new Brute Double Cabs. The latest Jeeps are almost good coffeedrink and the equivalent of a Defender 130 is a winner in my book. My opinion (and you have no reason to accept my opinion as a non jeep owner) is that with the Brute Double Cab, why would you bother with a complicated to finish and register J8. You will notice that I didn't bother to address the whole diesel engine issue because until their really is a diesel engined jeep for sale from Chrysler in North America, there is no diesel jeep on our horizon.

 

[TangoBlue]

What I think will be a winner for AEV is the new Brute Double Cabs.

It is very impressive. I might even start playing the lottery...

 

[bob91yj]

My opinion (and you have no reason to accept my opinion as a non jeep owner) is that with the Brute Double Cab, why would you bother with a complicated to finish and register J8. You will notice that I didn't bother to address the whole diesel engine issue because until their really is a diesel engined jeep for sale from Chrysler in North America, there is no diesel jeep on our horizon.

I'm not sure I understand the infatuation with diesel engines by the NA market. Newer smog compliant diesels are overly complicated from the intake all the way back to the exhaust tip, diesel is more expensive than premium gasoline and it can be harder to find in back water areas of the US. I own Jeep's and a DuraMax, so I do have some experience with both!

 

[Packy]

Good points 762x39 and bob91yj!

And the Brute double cab would be epic!:Wow1:

For me, the Jeep J8 was one of the those epic, rare, milspec vehicles that called back to the days of the War Jeeps, plus it had some unique colours, airbox, and abilities. It was like the DEVGRU version of the Rubicon!:sombrero:

 

[mikeg1713]

The last time I spoke to AEV the J8 was ka-putz. I almost sold a 2door LWB. 42,000.00 w/ no drive train, plus another 10 grand w/ new crated drive train and then title and reg as a hot-rod or kit car.

The way he explained it to me was they take 30 public orders then they produce them. They are then shipped back to jeep in complete knock down. Then assembled and shipped to the dealer. When I was in the process of making the deal he had a few orders that had been waiting for a few months already for the quota of 30 to be reached. I think he told me last time I asked about them that not one was ever sold. Go figure.... Lol

As for the brute double cab it's a concept only. He couldn't even send me a brochure or info on it. I wanted to build 2, one for sale and one for our shop. But he said that if anything there could be some idea by mid next year if they will even make it down the road.

 

[JPK]

The Brute Double Cab will happen, and it will be sometime this year. My bet is later than June, but that is only a guess.


There are a couple of double cabs running around and I know that AEV bought another 2011 Rubicon four door in November in desert tan to make into a Brute. I was looking at the same Jeep, which was about the last new 2011 or 2012 tan four door at a dealer in this country. AEV knew I was looking and gave me the option of buying it, but I passed and gave them the go ahead (I would have had it shipped to AEV for a conversion, and I have an AEV Jeep, so they were being customer freindly...) I passed because it was going to be a replacement for my wife's 2008 Rubicon four door, but, imo, the new engine and especially transmission are worth chaging colors for, and a 2011 or previous auto is best converted to a Hemi, which is just not required for my wife...


Anyway, last I spoke with an AEV rep, the Brute is forthcoming, but they need to design new rear springs and shocks, since the current choices are too stiff with the relatively light bed and frame extension. Personally, I wish they'd have gone with a steel bed, but that would have made a Hemi conversion all but required for the Brute conversion, even 2012's with the improved engine and transmission. The need to develop new springs and shocks for the Brute is why I think the conversions will be offered later rather than sooner, AEV always seems slw with new product releases.


I don't think there is any shortage of demand for the Brute Double Cab among current AEV customers. I'm either going to have one built or have my Hemi AEV Jeep coverted as soon as AEV is ready. Probably have my current Hemi converted and a new four door done by AEV with what comes off my current Jeep plus whatever is needed. But with the new drive train I don't think I'll go Hemi.


Notice that the Israli J8's are four doors, whereas the J8 shown on the AEV site was a two door. The long two door never made much sense to me...


JPK

 

[Metcalf]

AEV really wanted the J8 program to go......Chrysler wouldn't come through on the parts.

 

[Stumpalump]

Ever wonder why Jeep doesn't offer a heavy duty wrangler with Dana 60's? Now you know. It's because nobody will buy one. Too bad they did not fly off the shelf.

 

[reece146]

Ever wonder why Jeep doesn't offer a heavy duty wrangler with Dana 60's? Now you know. It's because nobody will buy one. Too bad they did not fly off the shelf.

Yes and no... people would buy a Dana 60'd Jeep if they were paying factory prices à la a Rubicon type package versus labour intensive aftermarket installed packages that cost much more to do.

That said, would you pay an additional say $2k for a Rubicon on top of today's price if it had 60s?

 

[JPK]

I'd pay for an option for a rear D60 and a stouter tubed D44 up front. Both with lockers of course!