AEV Brute: The Ultimate Overlander?

[Hilldweller]

...
I just looked up the specs again. The 3.6L peaks at 285hp and 260ftlb torque. ....

You don't get anywhere near those numbers on a dyno though.
It's still a slug. Not as bad as the 3.8L, but it's slower than my FIAT.

 

[kojackJKU]

See how fast your fiat goes on a rough trail. different tools different jobs. my 3.8 will eat your fiat off road.

 

[hansrober]

Thats funny, you guys are going in different directions. He is comping from a CJ8 and you just left that Hemi Power Wagon:drool I love those trucks) I bet the 3.6 would feel like a rocket ship compaired to the CJ!

You don't get anywhere near those numbers on a dyno though.
It's still a slug. Not as bad as the 3.8L, but it's slower than my FIAT.

 

[AlaricD]

See how fast your fiat goes on a rough trail. different tools different jobs. my 3.8 will eat your fiat off road.

Let's put a point in your column for that one, kojack.

I'm sure the FIAT is fun to drive-- but it probably stops being fun on the wrong terrain (you probably don't get a lot of people asking you to help them move things, though).

 

[Scott Brady]

Very interesting the sticker on it is 5,700lbs. Why on earth does the Jeep website list it as 5,400lbs? Do they put special stickers on them knowing AEV is going to upgrade the suspension?

I suspect the Jeep website is just a typo. The second Jeep I showed is a brand new 2014 Rubicon that has nothing to do with AEV. I bet the non Rubicons have 5400 and the Rubicons have 5700

 

[Scott Brady]

The 3.6 is more than enough power for my needs, even with the 37s. Cruises at highway speeds all day and gets pretty impressive fuel economy

 

[expedition4x4]

I can confirm my non Rubicon is 5400

 

[epiccosmo]

I can confirm my non Rubicon is 5400

Due to the Dana 30 Axle up front.

 

[Scott Brady]

Due to the Dana 30 Axle up front.

Yeppers

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

Howdy

I found this comparisson, Wrangler with 3.6 liters Pentastar against old muscle cars.

"Here are some numbers from 1960 to 1970's "muscle cars", (0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times)...All I say is that a 6.6 second for a 4x4 Wrangler with a V6 is not bad.
1973 Pontiac Firebird 455ci 7.3 15.0
1974 Pontiac Firebird 400ci 10.4 17.1
1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400 9.8 16.8
1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 7.8 16.1
1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula 12.0 17.9
1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 6.5 15.3
1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 7.5 15.5
1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 8.1 15.4
1975 Chevrolet Camaro 350 11.0 17.4
1975 Chevrolet Camaro RS 8.5 16.8
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L71 5.6 13.8
1968 Chevrolet Corvette 327 7.7 15.6
1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427 6.3 14.1
1969 Chevrolet Corvette 427ci 435hp 5.3 13.8 (C&D Sep '69)
1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427 6.1 14.3
1973 Corvette 350ci L82 6.7 15.1 (C&D Dec '72)
1973 Corvette 454ci 6.4 14.6 (C&D Dec '72)
1975 Chevrolet Corvette 350 9.6 16.4
1976 Chevrolet Corvette 350 8.1 16.5
1977 Chevrolet Corvette 8.8 16.6
1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82 7.3 15.7
1980 Chevrolet Corvette L82 7.4 15.4
1967 Ford Mustang (390ci V8 w/4spd) 7.4 15.6
1971 Ford Mustang (351ci V8 w/4spd) 5.8 13.8
1973 Ford Mustang 351ci 8.9 16.3
1974 Ford Mustang II 4sp 14.2 18.8
1974 Ford Mustang II Auto 15.6 19.4
1975 Ford Mustang II (302ci V8 w/3spd) 9.6 17.5
1977 Ford Mustang II 302ci 11.3 17.7
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 6.5 14.9 (C&D Feb '70

Se this acc with 3.21 in axle ratio and auto

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

Howdy from Sweden

I dont really grasp why the Jeep Wrangler unlimited Rubicon have so low payload as 892 lb (405kg) in US. My Rubicon unlimited 2013 here in Sweden has little more 1200 lb (545kg) in payload and it is probably because I have bigger brakes that al export Wranglers have outside US.

Intresting here a Landrover Defender 110 with heavy duty setup have a payload of 3042 lbs (1380kg)

 

[luk4mud]

I am on my 4th offroad vehicle, so I have learned a few things over the years:
1. Until #4, I have overbuilt each one- they have ended up as heavy, expensive, lumbering gas hogs. I have had to carry fuel to make up for the poor gas mileage ... adding more weight by means of extra sub tanks and cans. I promised my wife I would not do that this time. JKUR with 3" TF lift, aluminum skids, 35's ... and I stopped. I am close to factory curb weight. I see the AEV and think 2 things- fabulous engineering and heavy gas hog.
2. Factory is usually best. The systems that I have had the most trouble with are the ones altered from the factory. I now firmly believe in the "if it aint' broke I better have a good reason to alter it" train of thought.
3. Keep it long term or consider resale value. I will wear out a Toyota so I dont really care what it is worth, short or long term. I plan to get rid of a Jeep at 100k miles, so resale is important. Is there really a robust enough market for a 100k Jeep or would I take a bath trying to sell it in a few years? Likely, the latter.
4. Invest in appreciating assets, keep the costs of toys that depreciate as reasonable as possible. I know that does not fit with Scott's "ultimate" definition, but let's face it, most of us also want to make the mortgage payment.
5. The more I pay for a toy, the less inclined I am to use it for its intended purpose. A new expensive mountain bike gets babied, my 2012 JKUR never saw a "tough" trail for a year or so. If I had a 100k AEV, it might never make it beyond the mall.

 

[nwoods]

I am on my 4th offroad vehicle, so I have learned a few things over the years:
.... I see the AEV and think 2 things- fabulous engineering and heavy gas hog.

Heavy, probably. Those 37" tires add a ton of unsprung rotational mass, but I thought the V8 conversions were turning in better mpg ratings that the stock 6 cylinder? I find that very plausible, because it just simply loafs along without having to work too hard. I know my old 450+hp Corvette regularly got 26mpg in varied driving, just because it loafed along, and my old V6 LR3 turned in equal or worse mpg than the V8 versions, because it had to work harder to move that 6,100 pound mass.

 

[luk4mud]

Unfortunately, some cool things are expensive. No reason to shame those who can afford it... just because you can't

No shame intended here, if you like it and can afford it, go for it. I am just too practical I guess. I had a really hard time pulling the trigger on a $30k used 2012 JKUR that had been built (mostly) "right" by an automotive engineer and priced $10- 15k under its real value. That vehicle sits in my driveway 250+ days/ year- gets driven a bit on the weekends and off road trips only. That's the absolute tops I could justify for a toy.

Scott, your livelihood is quite different than most of ours, therefore what makes sense for you may not play in my/ our world.

 

[Hilldweller]

Howdy from Sweden

I dont really grasp why the Jeep Wrangler unlimited Rubicon have so low payload as 892 lb (405kg) in US. My Rubicon unlimited 2013 here in Sweden has little more 1200 lb (545kg) in payload and it is probably because I have bigger brakes that al export Wranglers have outside US.

Intresting here a Landrover Defender 110 with heavy duty setup have a payload of 3042 lbs (1380kg)

Not as much gravity in Sweden?

The 3.6 is more than enough power for my needs, even with the 37s. Cruises at highway speeds all day and gets pretty impressive fuel economy

Hills + trailer = right lane with 4-ways on. 255/80-17 tiress, 6-speed manual, 3.73 stock gears. Wish it a genuine 300 ft.lbs. of torque. ...or 400.... :drool:
The PW got 11 mpg around town unladen and about 10 with the trailer. The JK gets 18.5 around town, 22 on the highway, and 14 with the trailer.
It's not terrible but I wish I had 4.10s. And the FIAT really does spank it.

I've wheeled FIATs, btw.
In Brasil --- a Panda. Fun.