sinuhexavier
Explorer
I've had an AEV 5.7 Hemi Wrangler for the past 6 weeks. I can't imagine anyone else coming close to the quality and perfection that has gone into the AEV.
Anyone else build vehicles comparable to AEV?
- Thread starter Frank
- Start date
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Thanks for the link. For anyone else, you get a great "from above" view starting at 1.27.
That thing must bolt through the hard top onto the roll cage to get any strength, a la the one-off ARB rack on the Overland JK. I remember a post from AEV Dave where he didn't much like the huge torque that must be on the long arms on the Gobi, etc. going all the way down to the rear bumper.
Interesting.
Shame it's so small.
-Dan
Depending on your budget and intended use for your Jeep, there are many more options to consider besides AEV.
Search other forums and see what they discuss. Or contact shops directly and pick their brains.
Consider Tribe 4X4 in Ft. Worth. Adam is an awesome craftsman.
Screamin' Lizard in Bedford also makes great vehicles.
And look at Off Road Evolution in SoCal.
Search other forums and see what they discuss. Or contact shops directly and pick their brains.
Consider Tribe 4X4 in Ft. Worth. Adam is an awesome craftsman.
Screamin' Lizard in Bedford also makes great vehicles.
And look at Off Road Evolution in SoCal.
sinuhexavier
Explorer
Here is the rack.
Sinuhexavier,
That's not the rack that was on the the Jeep in Moab. The rack on the Jeep in Moab, which the AEV guys said at EJS would be available "Soon..." was a 3/4 length rack with a round bar bordered lower "floor", like the rack in the photo but also a smaller dimension upper round bar "surround." So the upper bar was inset maybe a half tube diameter from the lower rack. The upper tube had relatively short supports and was maybe 2 1/2" - 3" higher than the lower tube. Attractive rack. Too long, imo, because it overhung the front panels and it looked like removing them would be a pita. If it was ~6" shorter it would clear the hard top front panels, making removal a breeze.
Take a look at the video I posted a link to, it shows the Jeep with the two bar rack, which was driven by either Scott Brady or Dave Yeggi. (BTW, just after the portion of the video showing the Jeep with the forthcoming rack there is footage of a maroon Jeep - I think the color is "Red Rock" - coming down a step, which is to the right of what the video shows, guided by Mario from Adventure Trailers. If you look to the bottom of the hill when the camera shifts left you will see - for a brief moment - me and my Jeep, along with my buddy who made the trip with me. My Jeep is the white JKU nearest the camera at the bottom of the hill, I'm wearing the blue jacket, my buddy is wearing the red jacket.) Also, for diesel lovers, the Jeep Dave Harriton is shown driving and following the shot over the hood is of the white diesel two door Dave had. 3.5" lift, 4.5" bumpstops with 37's. Not my cup of tea but porn for diesel lovers.
Grecy, the rack did mount through the hard top to the roll cage, as the Overland Concept JKU did, but that Jeep had an ARB rack mounted to the through the roof supports.
The photo posted looks like its from the "Dangerous Drives" show, which was well before EJS, so it appears that they changed out the rack for the "Soon" to be offerred 3/4 rack.
EDIT: HA HA HA HA, just realised that Sinuhexavier was driving the Land Rover on the Dangerous Drives trip!!!! Looks like a heck of an experience.
mmcan,
There are hundreds maybe thousands of shops which will bolt on aftermarket parts. Some better than others, some make or market a few parts of their own, like Screaming Lizard or Off Road Evolution, but only AEV offers such a complete selection of inhouse parts or the services to install them, plus of course the Hemi conversion. Most of AEV's offerrings are made in house in the US as well (by their sister company,) though AEV's wheels are sourced overseas. Some of AEV's dealers are in the same league as the shops you mentioned, but hey, why go rep when you can go principal.
JPK
That's not the rack that was on the the Jeep in Moab. The rack on the Jeep in Moab, which the AEV guys said at EJS would be available "Soon..." was a 3/4 length rack with a round bar bordered lower "floor", like the rack in the photo but also a smaller dimension upper round bar "surround." So the upper bar was inset maybe a half tube diameter from the lower rack. The upper tube had relatively short supports and was maybe 2 1/2" - 3" higher than the lower tube. Attractive rack. Too long, imo, because it overhung the front panels and it looked like removing them would be a pita. If it was ~6" shorter it would clear the hard top front panels, making removal a breeze.
Take a look at the video I posted a link to, it shows the Jeep with the two bar rack, which was driven by either Scott Brady or Dave Yeggi. (BTW, just after the portion of the video showing the Jeep with the forthcoming rack there is footage of a maroon Jeep - I think the color is "Red Rock" - coming down a step, which is to the right of what the video shows, guided by Mario from Adventure Trailers. If you look to the bottom of the hill when the camera shifts left you will see - for a brief moment - me and my Jeep, along with my buddy who made the trip with me. My Jeep is the white JKU nearest the camera at the bottom of the hill, I'm wearing the blue jacket, my buddy is wearing the red jacket.) Also, for diesel lovers, the Jeep Dave Harriton is shown driving and following the shot over the hood is of the white diesel two door Dave had. 3.5" lift, 4.5" bumpstops with 37's. Not my cup of tea but porn for diesel lovers.
Grecy, the rack did mount through the hard top to the roll cage, as the Overland Concept JKU did, but that Jeep had an ARB rack mounted to the through the roof supports.
The photo posted looks like its from the "Dangerous Drives" show, which was well before EJS, so it appears that they changed out the rack for the "Soon" to be offerred 3/4 rack.
EDIT: HA HA HA HA, just realised that Sinuhexavier was driving the Land Rover on the Dangerous Drives trip!!!! Looks like a heck of an experience.
mmcan,
There are hundreds maybe thousands of shops which will bolt on aftermarket parts. Some better than others, some make or market a few parts of their own, like Screaming Lizard or Off Road Evolution, but only AEV offers such a complete selection of inhouse parts or the services to install them, plus of course the Hemi conversion. Most of AEV's offerrings are made in house in the US as well (by their sister company,) though AEV's wheels are sourced overseas. Some of AEV's dealers are in the same league as the shops you mentioned, but hey, why go rep when you can go principal.
JPK
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Did the Dangerous Drives Moab trip convert you from your Land Rover to the Jeep and the AEV set up?
JPK
If anyone is interested in seeing the Dangerous Drives episode with the AEV Hemi Brute, the AEV 5.7VVT JKU test rig, the 3.8 powered Overland Concept JKU and Sinuhexavier's Land Rover here's a link: http://www.hulu.com/watch/137331/dangerous-drives-extreme-off-roaders
About 45mins and worth watching. Some commercials, but at decent "fresh beer" intervals.
Frank, I've had my AEV Jeep for 10mos and ~24k miles. It isn't my daily driver and I actually try to keep the miles off of it, but its awfully hard not to grab the keys anyway; I grin as widely each time I fire it up as I did the first time.
If you'd like some details on my Jeep, I'd be happy to supply them. If you lived closer you'd be welcome to take it for a drive, in fact, if you're ever near Washington, DC let me know and you'd be welcome to take it for a spin.
JPK
About 45mins and worth watching. Some commercials, but at decent "fresh beer" intervals.
Frank, I've had my AEV Jeep for 10mos and ~24k miles. It isn't my daily driver and I actually try to keep the miles off of it, but its awfully hard not to grab the keys anyway; I grin as widely each time I fire it up as I did the first time.
If you'd like some details on my Jeep, I'd be happy to supply them. If you lived closer you'd be welcome to take it for a drive, in fact, if you're ever near Washington, DC let me know and you'd be welcome to take it for a spin.
JPK
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Frank
Explorer
Thank you, Sir! I started my new job today which pretty much locked in my ability to own a AEV vehicle within the next year. My rig probably would be my DD, but it would not be a Hemi conversion.
Also, thank you for posting that link. My great wife thought keeping the episode on the DVR was useless. lol.
Also, thank you for posting that link. My great wife thought keeping the episode on the DVR was useless. lol.
Frank
Explorer
Again, these components dont compare to the quality of AEV. They are selling other companies suspension, offer very little for the JK, and dont offer a "complete vehicle" ultimate set up like AEV does.
I want to find a company that would be considered competition to AEV. I cant find anything.
sinuhexavier
Explorer
Landie guys - must be something in the trucks' eminations, once they go Landie they never go back... (We have a Range Rover ourselves, I keep thinking that if it wasn't so damned expensive that a little modification here and there plus a more robust rack and it would make a fabulous if overly plush overlanding truck.)
I was wrong about the AEV rack, it is 3/4 length and 10" shorter than the one in the photo posted by Sinuheexavier. But it is one bar, like the rack in Sinuhe's photo, just 10" shorter. Dimensions are 54"Wx76"L. The front Freedom Top panels will clear as well.
Here's a photo:
Should also add that the rack is aluminum, which is great for keeping weight down, especially up top weight, and no rust issues.
JPK
I was wrong about the AEV rack, it is 3/4 length and 10" shorter than the one in the photo posted by Sinuheexavier. But it is one bar, like the rack in Sinuhe's photo, just 10" shorter. Dimensions are 54"Wx76"L. The front Freedom Top panels will clear as well.
Here's a photo:
Should also add that the rack is aluminum, which is great for keeping weight down, especially up top weight, and no rust issues.
JPK
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