Inside Look: The Bad-Ass AEV JL370 Jeep Wrangler

American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) recently opened up the order banks for the company’s turnkey JL350 and JL370 conversions based on the hot-selling JL-generation Jeep Wrangler. AEV has a well-deserved reputation for making some of the most capable turnkey vehicles on the planet and is known for delivering enhanced off-road performance while not compromising the OE’s refined on-road manners. AEV designs, develops, and manufactures its own line of parts and whole-vehicle solutions using an OE approach to engineering, durability, and design.

In addition to the Jeep Wrangler JL models, AEV currently offers the Ram HD–based Prospector XL and the Chevy Colorado–based Bison. Past AEV vehicles include the Wrangler TJ–based Brute and Wrangler JK–based Brute Double Cab pickup trucks, the previous generation of Prospectors, and of course the well-known Wrangler JK offerings. We recently had a chance to poke around AEV’s 110,000-square-foot assembly facility and headquarters in Wixom, Michigan, where its conversion process happens and decided to take a closer look at what goes into an AEV JL370 as we walked by rows of Prospector XLs and Bisons in various states of assembly.

Starting with a Wrangler JL in either two- or four-door form, AEV converts them into JL370s through a host of changes. While a Sport or Sahara can be used as the base vehicle, the Rubicon’s high-clearance flares will be added (for $725). For this reason, and the Rubicon’s factory front and rear lockers, electronically disconnecting sway bar, and 4:1 transfer case, the vast majority of owners choose to start with that trim level.

The basic JL370 package, which commands a $15,600 premium over the cost of a Wrangler JL, includes the following upgrades:

AEV 2.5-inch DualSport RT suspension system
AEV front geometry correction brackets
AEV 4.56 (auto) 4.88 (manual) differential gear upgrade
AEV alloy wheels
7-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain KO2 or mud-terrain KM3 tires
AEV high-clearance front bumper
AEV front bumper skidplate
AEV non-winch cover plate
AEV rear bumper
EV swing-out tire carrier
AEV 7000 Series LED off-road lights
AEV light cover kit
AEV black badging
AEV branding package
AEV CHMSL mount (third brake light)
AEV IP cluster
AEV jack base
AEV logo headrests
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
AEV ProCal SNAP module
AEV vehicle build plaque

From there, owners can further customize their AEV builds, which we go into in full detail in the gallery. All factory AEV builds, as opposed to parts builds, get the coveted AEV windshield banner, special AEV badging, and a serialized data plate.

AEV splash guards ($195)
AEV snorkel ($659)
AEV fuel caddy ($450)AEV winch kit ($1,522)
Baja Designs sport scene light ($408)
AEV light grille kit ($144)AEV license plate kit  ($70)
Vision X bumper-mounted LED lightbar ($665)
AEV jack base mount ($40)
AEV standard leather ($1,900)
AEV Cordura and leather ($2,200)
AEV premium leather ($2,400)
AEV F-1 leather ($3,600)
AEV heated seats ($518)
AEV Pintler wheels (included)
AEV Borah DualSport wheels (+$50)
AEV Savegre II wheels (included)
Painted interior hardtop ($875)
Painted dash panels ($490)
Matte painted grille ($490)
AEV front diff cover ($150)
AEV rear diff cover ($150)

CONTACT
American Expedition Vehicles
www.aev-conversions.com

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