ramblinChet
Well-known member
As someone who's been deep in the Jeep and off-road world for decades - and living full-time overlanding in my AEV Prospector for the past four years - I have to strongly defend the new Ford Super Duty FXL. It's not just another kit; it's the pinnacle of AEV's system-engineered excellence, and I've experienced firsthand why nothing else compares.
My journey started early: throughout the 90s I modified and drove a Jeep CJ, multiple XJs, a ZJ, and even an MJ using suspensions from TeraFlex, Currie, Rubicon Express, Old Man Emu, and others. When I bought my brand-new Wrangler TJ in 2002, I started purchasing AEV components because, as a technician, technologist, and engineer who's worked in Tier 1 automotive and beyond, I immediately recognized the massive leap in engineering and manufacturing quality. I didn't pick AEV for the name, logo, or internet hype - I chose them because I know engineering inside and out, and there's simply no other company like them.
That conviction has only grown stronger. For the last four years, I've lived full-time in my AEV Prospector, pushing it across these United States on real expeditions - proving its reliability, capability, and seamless integration day after day. The FXL brings that same proven formula to the Super Duty platform.
AEV doesn't slap parts together; they collaborate directly with OEM engineering teams at Ford, Jeep, RAM, Chevy, and GMC - starting with full factory CAD data, crash structures, cooling, and electronics. Their degreed engineers conduct rigorous SAE-compliant testing on handling, thermal management, durability, and extreme abuse, delivering flawless integration that preserves safety, drivability, warranty, and resale. The result: a Super Duty that runs 40-inch tires effortlessly on a smart 4-inch DualSport lift, stays cool under tow or crawl, and avoids the twitchy handling or failures common with piecemeal mods from Thuren, Carli, or garage shops.
Manufacturing is the killer differentiator: AEV builds in OEM-level facilities (their massive Wixom, MI plant uses OE-style processes), which is why their components hit actual assembly lines - factory packages for Jeep Wranglers/Gladiators, RAM Prospector editions, and GM's Bison/ZR2 models on Silverado, Sierra, Colorado, and Canyon. No other aftermarket outfit matches this Tier-1 OEM credibility or scale.
Price-wise, the full FXL conversion (stamped modular bumpers, HighMark flares, 4” DualSport XP suspension, 18” Katmai wheels, 40” BFGoodrich tires, graphics, etc.) is expected in the $20-30k range (similar to the RAM Prospector XL), pushing a loaded Tremor to $110-120k. But this isn't "expensive parts" - it's a turnkey, system-engineered build at AEV's facility, delivered through authorized Ford dealers with a 3-year/36,000-mile AEV warranty atop Ford's. You're getting bulletproof cohesion that skips warranty voids, cooling headaches, or long-term issues cheaper kits often bring.
Aesthetics? The square fenders and bumper deliver purposeful, industrial toughness - ideal for a truck built to conquer trails and overland, not just pose. No snorkel yet? It debuted this month (unveiled early January, public debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit), with components rolling out Q2 2026, full availability mid-year, and more extras teased (just like they've evolved on RAM/GM lines).
Bottom line: If you're serious about a Super Duty that dominates off-road, tows reliably, and lasts without compromise - especially for real full-time overlanding - the FXL is the undisputed benchmark. I've trusted AEV's superior engineering for over 20 years, and my Prospector proves it daily. Happy trails!
My journey started early: throughout the 90s I modified and drove a Jeep CJ, multiple XJs, a ZJ, and even an MJ using suspensions from TeraFlex, Currie, Rubicon Express, Old Man Emu, and others. When I bought my brand-new Wrangler TJ in 2002, I started purchasing AEV components because, as a technician, technologist, and engineer who's worked in Tier 1 automotive and beyond, I immediately recognized the massive leap in engineering and manufacturing quality. I didn't pick AEV for the name, logo, or internet hype - I chose them because I know engineering inside and out, and there's simply no other company like them.
That conviction has only grown stronger. For the last four years, I've lived full-time in my AEV Prospector, pushing it across these United States on real expeditions - proving its reliability, capability, and seamless integration day after day. The FXL brings that same proven formula to the Super Duty platform.
AEV doesn't slap parts together; they collaborate directly with OEM engineering teams at Ford, Jeep, RAM, Chevy, and GMC - starting with full factory CAD data, crash structures, cooling, and electronics. Their degreed engineers conduct rigorous SAE-compliant testing on handling, thermal management, durability, and extreme abuse, delivering flawless integration that preserves safety, drivability, warranty, and resale. The result: a Super Duty that runs 40-inch tires effortlessly on a smart 4-inch DualSport lift, stays cool under tow or crawl, and avoids the twitchy handling or failures common with piecemeal mods from Thuren, Carli, or garage shops.
Manufacturing is the killer differentiator: AEV builds in OEM-level facilities (their massive Wixom, MI plant uses OE-style processes), which is why their components hit actual assembly lines - factory packages for Jeep Wranglers/Gladiators, RAM Prospector editions, and GM's Bison/ZR2 models on Silverado, Sierra, Colorado, and Canyon. No other aftermarket outfit matches this Tier-1 OEM credibility or scale.
Price-wise, the full FXL conversion (stamped modular bumpers, HighMark flares, 4” DualSport XP suspension, 18” Katmai wheels, 40” BFGoodrich tires, graphics, etc.) is expected in the $20-30k range (similar to the RAM Prospector XL), pushing a loaded Tremor to $110-120k. But this isn't "expensive parts" - it's a turnkey, system-engineered build at AEV's facility, delivered through authorized Ford dealers with a 3-year/36,000-mile AEV warranty atop Ford's. You're getting bulletproof cohesion that skips warranty voids, cooling headaches, or long-term issues cheaper kits often bring.
Aesthetics? The square fenders and bumper deliver purposeful, industrial toughness - ideal for a truck built to conquer trails and overland, not just pose. No snorkel yet? It debuted this month (unveiled early January, public debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit), with components rolling out Q2 2026, full availability mid-year, and more extras teased (just like they've evolved on RAM/GM lines).
Bottom line: If you're serious about a Super Duty that dominates off-road, tows reliably, and lasts without compromise - especially for real full-time overlanding - the FXL is the undisputed benchmark. I've trusted AEV's superior engineering for over 20 years, and my Prospector proves it daily. Happy trails!
Last edited:
