2015 (USA) / 2016 (NZ) AEV Brute Double Cab Build Thread

JeepinBear

Explorer
OK...I'll explain the perhaps confusing title first.


  • The Jeep VIN of the Brute indicates a 2014 build in Toledo
  • The AEV Build Plate indicates a 2015 model year for their work. The vehicle was imported to NZ in 2016.
  • New Zealand vehicle years are determined based on the year they are first sold & registered. So, this vehicle sold as a 2016 AEV Brute Double Cab.

The Brute has most of the options with the DC350 build out on the Wrangler JKU Rubicon base. Alas, it did NOT come with either HEMI version but the standard 3.6L Pentastar VVT V6. oh, and yes...it is a RHD as manufactured by Jeep.

I picked up the truck used with only ~4000kms on it. Funny story, some bloke that was driving a BMW X5 traded it in on this truck and, after driving it for only a few thousand k's, decided he couldn't handle the lack of guts the Brute has. He then traded up into a full-size Dodge with a HEMI (also recently being imported by Dodge). The dealer decided they needed to do something and installed a Sprintex Supercharger on the Brute. I then came along and picked it up with a BIG hit to the depreciation being picked up by someone else. I've driven a 2004 Defender 110 Td5 since moving to NZ from Idaho over 6.5 years ago, so the lack of speed wasn't a concern to me. There's a bit of a long story with the dealer tuning the engine post-supercharger install, but it's all good now.

Per the Dyno, I'm getting about 192kw of power TO THE REAR WHEELS and >600nm of torque. Both very respectable numbers for the 3.6L Pentastar. The DiabloSport tuner from Sprintex is a sweet little piece of kit.

My wife and I look forward to doing some exploring in NZ which is NOT as easy as you would think. Best thing to do is join some local 4WD clubs so you get better access to roads, etc.

Ok...pics:
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JeepinBear

Explorer
First 'mods' are easy ones

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Alphonse

Observer
Very nice looking Brute! I really like the Brutes (any JK really) in white.

Having a supercharger makes me nervous on a vehicle intended to get away from civilization, even more so a non OEM supercharger. I wouldn't be looking to remove one from a vehicle that came with it but I would always be concerned about it giving me problems and then needing to find proprietary parts. Hopefully you don't have any issues with it. The lower gearing of the Rubicon and its 4.1 low range do give these jeeps plenty of power off-road and regearing the axles can make up for the on road power loss of 35" tires.
 
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JeepinBear

Explorer
Very nice looking Brute! I really like the Brutes (any JK really) in white.

Having a supercharger makes me nervous on a vehicle intended to get away from civilization, even more so a non OEM supercharger.

Yeah, I can understand that. I can admit that this purchase was perhaps an uneven mix of emotion and logic (as most large purchases are). Given my circumstances - living in a relatively small island nation at the bottom of the world where you are never really all that far from civilisation - and not intending to put this in a container and move it around the world, this suited the bill for my wife and I just fine. If I were living in OZ, Africa, or truly more mobile (maybe later in life), I have to admit I would probably buy a diesel Toyota Land Cruiser or Defender 110 due to availability of parts, simplicity of operations, etc.

This Brute, for me, is a great mix of on & off road capability, comfort, and FUN!
 

JeepinBear

Explorer
Installed the Vector Offroad full-width JKE dock today. Very easy 5 minute install and it feels nice and solid.

All my RAM mounts are on the way from the States and should be here in a few days

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

02rangeredge

Adventurer
Installed the Vector Offroad full-width JKE dock today. Very easy 5 minute install and it feels nice and solid.

All my RAM mounts are on the way from the States and should be here in a few days

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

just for the sake of understanding-forgive me if it's obvious, I just can't think of it- what's the purpose for this bar across the dash?
 

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