AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S.
Click above for a high-res image gallery of the AEV J8 MILSPEC
Still bummed Chrysler decided civilians in the U.S. weren't ready for the Jeep J8? Good news, then. American Expedition Vehicles – normally purveyors of American-made aftermarket off-road parts and equipment – has entered into an agreement with Chrysler that will allow AEV to sell fully assembled J8 kits right here in the United States, complete with leaf springs and military-spec tow hooks that are capable of lifting a helicopter. Yes, this machine is exactly as awesome as it sounds.
Each vehicle will be sold without a powertrain, which will allow AEV to bypass all kinds of sticky red tape with the federal government. As such, the J8 MILSPEC will be sold as an off-road vehicle only. Want one for street use? Better get real familiar with the laws governing such things in your particular state. The buyer will have a choice of either a VM 2.8-liter diesel engine rated at 174 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 from Chrysler rated at 330 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. All that power will be sent through a five-speed automatic transmission on its way to a Dana 44 axle up front and a stout Dana 60 in the rear.
Options? A few, including air conditioning and your choice of either Desert Sand or Military Green paint, but the toughest part will be deciding between the five-door Unlimited body or the truck-like three-door model. AEV only has rights to sell 120 J8 MILSPEC vehicles per year, and they won't come cheap. Expect to dole out about $50K to bring one home. If that sounds like a lot for a vehicle that can't legally be driven on the street, keep in mind that it's probably well below what it would cost to otherwise replicate a machine with these kinds of capabilities. Click past the break for the official press release.
Gallery: AEV J8 MILSPEC
PRESS RELEASE:
The J8 is one of the toughest vehicles in the world and, until now, it was only sold to foreign militaries and governments. A very limited number of 2010 J8's will be made available to enthusiasts in the United States exclusively from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) as the AEV J8 MILSPEC.
"Hardcore off-road enthusiasts have been asking for a vehicle like this for years, no frills and setup for a choice of diesel or V8 power and built with extra heavy-duty components," said Dave Harriton, CEO of American Expedition Vehicles. "It's certainly not for everyone, but that's all part of the appeal. Being able to offer even limited quantities to the American public is really a dream come true for AEV. First, it's a perfect match with our niche manufacturing and distribution channels, and second, the J8 is a unique part of history that we're proud to be part of."
The AEV J8 MILSPEC will be sold as a component rolling chassis. The vehicle is meant for off-road use, and as typical for component vehicles the engine and transmission will be installed by the buyer or at the buyer's direction by an independent contractor. Although AEV does not provide the powertrain, there are a number of independent AEV dealers that can supply and install either a 2.8-liter diesel engine or a 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI® engine and transmission package.
The J8 MILSPEC will be assembled in Detroit by AEV. The complete rolling chassis will be delivered painted, upholstered, fully instrumented and will include ABS brakes, heavy duty suspension and axles, exhaust, wheels and tires.
Designed for military use, the J8 was designed to pass one of the world's toughest durability cycles, which is three times more severe than what civilian applications must endure. The axles are both beefed up to a heavy duty Dana 44 front and a Dana 60 rear axle equipped with Dodge Ram brakes. The frame is built for severe use and the rear suspension uses leaf springs to facilitate more than a 2,500 lb. payload capacity and a 3,500 lb. tow rating. The J8 MILSPEC will accept two powertrain options, either a VM 2.8-liter diesel engine rated at 174 hp and 339 lb.-ft.of torque or a 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI rated at 330 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engine choices will use a 5 speed automatic transmission. The vehicles also have a number of military-specific components, including tow loops that are rated for helicopter use, an air filter capable of running as long as five hours in zero visibility dust storms and remote-mounted batteries. Don't look for satellite navigation or leather seats, options are limited to paint color (Desert Sand or Military Green), a choice of a three door or five door body styles and air conditioning.
The J8 MILSPEC will only be sold and warranted through AEV and its authorized network.
Interested enthusiasts can contact American Expedition Vehicles to learn more or to place an order, www.aev-conversions.com / 248-926-0256. Owners should expect to invest approximately $50,000 for a complete running vehicle, chassis plus powertrain.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
swimstarguy 3:43PM (4/07/2009)
I would get one just to do donuts with it an Al Gore's yard.
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Bob 4:36PM (4/07/2009)
I'll bring the beer.
Dude 4:36PM (4/07/2009)
So would Al Gore.
Cole 6:15PM (4/07/2009)
I would buy donuts with one... if the donut shop was in Dakar.
Okki 3:45PM (4/07/2009)
Man.... this thing with a diesel engine would be the bomb.. good mileage and awesome torque... I'd buy one if you could get it on the road... what would be the issue with mating it with a currently legal (diesel) power train? what is otherwise missing on it that would make it illegal to use on public roads?
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Ken 3:51PM (4/07/2009)
Federalized emission standards and probably reinstallation of some removed safety gear such as airbags.
Of course you could probably register it as a kit car in some states so there may be a loophole there but for $50K I could buy a used TJ, swap in a Cat powerplant or at least the diesel out of the older Jeep Liberty and beef up the drivetrain and still have enough left over for a motorcycle for some real fuel savings.
pixelnate 4:34PM (4/07/2009)
That's the thing, the VM diesel is no longer clean enough to be sold in the US in a new car. That's why Jeep stopped selling them in the Liberty. And the new low sulfur diesel fuel isn't as kind to the VM engine.
I am dying to buy a vehicle with a small diesel and there is only one available in this country, the Jetta. That is just sad when nearly every car available outside the US has a diesel engine as an option (supercars excluded).
Patrick 3:54PM (4/07/2009)
If this thing is not street-legal, then why does the "sand" colored one have a license plate?
Sort of a contradiction there.
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Cole 6:34PM (4/07/2009)
It's a MFG or DST plate. Any DOT registered manufacturer or distributor can plate a vehicle and "test" it. I worked for a company that had a RHD GMC Blazer from Japan that we drove around in with MFG Michigan plates.
Pedro 3:59PM (4/07/2009)
I REALLY want Jeep to come out with the JT Concept pickup truck from several years back. Easily the coolest pickup truck I have ever seen.
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/jeep/Jeep-JT.htm
What do we need to do to get Jeep to build it???????
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EXP Jawa 4:02PM (4/07/2009)
"What do we need to do to get Jeep to build it???????"
For starters, you need to make sure that Chrysler is around in a few years...
EXP Jawa 4:04PM (4/07/2009)
It has a MI "M" tag - a manufacturer's plate. They can use those on just about anything...
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EXP Jawa 4:04PM (4/07/2009)
Meant to be a reply to Patrick...
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MD Drew 4:11PM (4/07/2009)
Sweet Jeep, but nonsense business case. As far as the 5-door, you could buy/rebuild a used one that is already street legal for way, way, way less. Maybe if you want the truck version to be unique.
I'd rather see if I could cram a 6.6 Duramax in a JK, or maybe that spiffy new GM 4.5 diesel. Oh, wait; that's right, that's dead on the vine...
I never got why ChrysDaimler never put the 3.0 CRD form the Grtand Cherokee into a JK. Seems like an easy way to sell some expensive Rubicons to enthusiasts...
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montoym 5:28PM (4/07/2009)
I'm guessing it's the same reason that Jeep is not selling the CRD Grand Cherokee for '09. Probably their agreement with Daimler ran out and they can't use the engine any longer. The fact that the CRD wasn't BlueTec might have something to do with it as well.
Didn't make a lot of sense to offer the CRD in the TJ that was about to be replaced and also didn't make sense to offer it in the JK that was only going to have the engine for a few years.
Then again, they did it for the Liberty.
Just throwing some thoughts out there.
Evil Seed 4:19PM (4/07/2009)
“Has entered into an agreement with Chrysler that will allow AEV to sell fully assembled J8 kits right here in the United States, complete with leaf springs and military-spec tow hooks that are capable of lifting a helicopter. Yes, this machine is exactly as awesome as it sounds.”
I’d say it’s the other way around. The hooks are for being lifted by a helicopter rather than lifting one. I’ve lifted many hummers by the lift hooks in the army with a Chinook.
Peace
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Jake B 5:21PM (4/07/2009)
Peace
Shipey 4:24PM (4/07/2009)
"sell fully assembled J8 kits right here in the United States"
"about $50K to bring one home"
Way to build up my hopes and then immediately crush them to a fiberous pulp.
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pixelnate 4:30PM (4/07/2009)
No kidding. Once you see the name AEV, you know it's going to be expensive. High quality, but expensive all the same.
pixelnate 4:29PM (4/07/2009)
Damn, it, Chrysler you should be selling these in the US! And you should be doing it for the price of a regular Jeep! How long has the Jeep community been asking for this Jeep and diesels, too? A long friggin' time, that's how long! It's no mystery to us that you and GM are in such dire straights.
Hey here's a nifty idea: listen to the public that purchases your products, take down everything they say, point by point, and then manufacture something completely different. That's a sure recipe for success. Brilliant!
Nothing short of retarded, these guys that run GM and Chrysler are.
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