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Courtesy of AEV
High clearance fender flares allow a low centre of gravity while also sporting 40-in wheels.
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Courtesy of AEV
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DREW PHILLIPS
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Courtesy of AEV
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Courtesy of AEV
Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of AEV
Whenever we hear something new coming from AEV (American Expedition Vehicles), our attention is usually peaked. Many years ago when Jeep lovers were crying for a pickup version of the Wrangler JK, it was AEV that heeded the call and not Jeep themselves. The short wheelbase 2-door Brute was soon followed by the longer 4-door equivalent. Then AEV turned their attention to Ram trucks, creating one of our favourite pickups on the SEMA off-road floor, the Prospector.
Well, AEV haven’t stopped tweaking the Prospector conversion and have just uncovered their latest model to a growing line up of expedition ready vehicles – the Prospector XL. The Prospector XL is designed for the overland adventure travelers and recreational explorers who require a full-size truck that is extremely capable off-road, has the ability to tow heavy loads, and still maintains exceptional driving characteristics on the road.
AEV have been testing and fine-tuning for a couple years now, and the fruit of their labours has finally become reality. The Prospector XL is based on the Ram 2500 and 3500 platform, and shares many of the same components as the original AEV Prospector, with the addition of some very unique upgrades to transform this truck into something… well, even bigger.
The new design starts with AEV's HighMark Fender Flares that open up the front and rear wheel wells, allowing for the fitment of massive 40-in tall tires with only 3-in of lift incorporated into the suspension system - resulting in massive ground clearance and a low centre of gravity for optimized on road handling. AEV also installs a heavy duty Hydraulic Assist Steering Kit that not only reduces the amount of driver steering effort needed to turn those massive tires but also reduces the amount of stress on the vehicle's steering box.
Familiar package equipment includes Katla wheels, heavy duty stamped steel front bumper, and heat reduction hood. AEV proclaim the Prospector XL to be their ultimate, most adventure ready vehicle platform from to date.
Like all the AEV vehicles, the Prospector XL can be purchased as a turnkey vehicle conversion built at the companies facilities in Michigan, or by the do-it-yourselfer by purchasing the select parts. AEV describe the kits and their contents as being, “meticulously designed and engineered to work in harmony with each other --maximizing both the on-road performance and off-road capability without any compromise in ride quality, handling or towing ability.”
AEV Prospector XL packages start at $17,354 USD ($22,900 CAD at time of writing) and a number of different styling configurations and equipment options are available to suit individual needs.