AEV Prospector first drive

[cherrypicker]

Test drive one before chiming in on the value here, and then if you feel the same, your opinion is informed. Dont salt your steak before tasting it, people. Make no mistake about the AEV prospector suspension, it is designed at a level that few can duplicate. They know it, and they charge you for it, like all fine automakers. It is absolutely amazing to drive this truck back to back with both stock rams and rams lifted to the same height with similar offerings.

 

[OR2BAJA]

Buy yourself a Dodge and slap some Carli or Thuren suspension on it. You will have way better rig. Now for jeeps, the aev brute is cool.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

They couldn't even figure out what the right spring rates should be, so they kept the factory ones.

Could just be that they agree the factory got it right. When I put a bunch of Thuren and Carli stuff on my 3G Power Wagon. Both companies, including Don Thuren his own self, told me that the PW front coils were just fine for my use and, absent additional lift, I should just keep them. Different trucks and different use might get different recommendations, but the factory stuff works.

 

[OR2BAJA]

Of course the factory parts or else how would it get down the road? Thuren will not push parts that you do not need especially if you are not looking for more lift but as my friend I disagree with Thuren. These trucks benefit so much from properly tuned suspension. The factory spring rate sucks.

AEV is doing a couple of cool things on these trucks but the premium to me is not justified, maybe for the end user that does not know any better and has not done their homework getting some wide fender flares and a bumper.

 

[OR2BAJA]

Has anyone had some direct experience with the AEV lift? It looks like the most complete kit for the money.

I'm torn between that and spending a little more for a Carli system. I'm just worries that the Carli spring rates are more meant for a diesel and I have the 6.4 gas.

The biggest thing for me is proper geometry and improving the ride quality.

I can assure you that there is not a comparison between the AEV lift and Carli or Thuren Suspension. Call Dan at Carli or Aaron at Thuren and explain what you have and what you want out of your truck.


And to the other guy that said that AEV is delivering a turn key expedition rig, well they seem to be missing a ton of parts for that expedition rig.

 

[OR2BAJA]

More pics and prices here .... This is a 3500 which so far seems to be a rare model.

http://www.bartonjeep.net/new/Ram/2016-Ram-3500-d5523d580a0a00de2156c8ac16a71c12.htm

The spare tire location is certainly a problem. No way I could slide a large camper into the bed, and I couldn't mount the spare on a bumper mount for the same reason. It would have to go up front and that would block the winch and hinder airflow through the cooling system.

Plus, a single swipe with a sharp knife and somebody walks away with your wheel and tire. I think that bed mount is a joke.

I just can't see these 37s working for me.....

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

This how you roll with 37's and this is one of the best things I have seen from AEV. You could get an aluminess rear bumper with a tire swing, I know a couple of Dodge owners that use them. I don't think for the speeds I travel it would last long. I run a very heavy screw down style that goes through the bed into the rear cross member.

 

[chet6.7]

The spring rates used by the factory and the aftermarket have trade offs. According to AEV there are a number(26?) of different stock spring rates on 2500/3500 trucks.I suspect that is true,even though I have read many statements on CF that the spring rates are the same in 2500/3500.I doubt my 2500 SWB has the same rates as a LWB dually with snow plow and 5th wheel hitch options.
How many spring rates does Carli and Thuren offer? One,as I remember it,2500 and 3500 get the same rates,a trade off.
Thuren says their coils are 26% softer than stock,Carli told me on another forum that the spring rate information was proprietary (how much of a difference can there be?) the Deaver leafs are softer than stock as well,another trade off.

It would be nice to see a camparo of AEV,Carli and Thuren trucks on the dirt roads of Death Valley.I suspect empty trucks would favor Carli,and Thuren,when payload is increased I suspect at some point the stock springs would start performing better than the softer sprung trucks.I would like to know at what cargo load the stock springs perform better than softer springs.
I don't care about running an empty truck fast across the dunes,I haven't seen any videos from AEV, Carli or Thuren with loaded trucks doing real world,at least for me,driving.
If those videos exist please give me a link.

 

[OR2BAJA]

The difference between a 2500 and 3500 is not different because they are identical trucks from 03-09 and 10-13 2500's vs ford with different axles for pay load etc. The major difference is in the shock valving profile between LWB and SWB. in 13 the 3500 went to the radius arm and from there on a coil rear in 2014. Carli has a heavy duty Deaver leaf pack for those who run heavier than me as I run a long travel deaver. I run fully loaded with a ton of gear and tools, full steering linkage and trackbar. 2 37" tires with a spare bead lock and a factory wheel. It's heavy and my rear does sag but I can still crawl over stuff or sustain 90 on those dirt roads you speak of. AEV can not do that as they run a plain white body shock that would lose dampening very quickly at speed or crawling around.

Here is freeway speed full mission ready Carli 6" radius arm long travel deaver loaded in the dirt roads of baja.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf6u6VY2ujk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf6u6VY2ujk

Here are 3 Carli trucks with 3 different setups and wheel bases rolling through some of the wors baja has to offer not to mention the rain. This where shock valving and spring development is literally tested. Each truck is running with plenty of weight and cabs full of equipment. My truck sits near 5 tons ready to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjzEElOoq_M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQCcRLDoQy0