Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/aev-to-offer-jeep-j8-milspec-for-civilian-off-road-use-in-the-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/aev-to-offer-jeep-j8-milspec-for-civilian-off-road-use-in-the-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/aev-to-offer-jeep-j8-milspec-for-civilian-off-road-use-in-the-u/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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

Continue reading AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S.

AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aevaev j8aev j8 milspecAevJ8AevJ8Milspecamerican expedition vehiclesAmericanExpeditionVehiclesjeep j8JeepJ8military jeepMilitaryJeepTue, 07 Apr 2009 15:33:00 EST