With the AEV Wrangler Brute conversion complete, we gained an additional 24 inches of wheelbase and a 6-foot, stamped-steel pickup bed. On-road handling was greatly improved, and the extra wheelbase also benefits off-road performance. Additionally, the new truck bed will finally allow us to take enough gear for extended trail adventures.
The AEV Brute conversion can be completed on any '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler TJ or LJ (Unlimited) in stock or modified form. Being that we started with a well-built Jeep Wrangler TJ, we were a bit ahead of the game with quite a few upgrades already in place. However, who's to say that a four-cylinder Jeep Wrangler pickup on 31-inch tires wouldn't be useful? That's the beauty of the AEV Brute kit: It will redefine the vehicle no matter how few or how many aftermarket parts you've invested in. No matter if it's a four-cylinder SE model, a Rubicon, or a fully equipped rockcrawler, the AEV Brute conversion will make any Jeep Wrangler a head-turner.
With a long way to go and a short time to get there, we completed an AEV Brute conversion on our '01 "Project Yellow" TJ Wrangler. Giving ourselves just two weeks to cut and lengthen the frame, cut the body and install the cab closeout, and mount the well-constructed, 14-gauge stamped-steel truck bed, we looked to Mel Wade and his competent crew at Off Road Evolution (ORE) in Fullerton, California, for help. The ORE gang hit the conversion full-force, and we were up and rolling in time for the long haul to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari.
The Project Yellow Brute is equipped with a Rubicon Express long-arm suspension system along with a Poly Performance coilover shock system front and rear. Dynatrac ProRock 60 axles reside front and rear, both using ARB Air Lockers and 4.56 gears. A Tri-County Gear relocated front track bar also aids the suspension system, along with a Currie AntiRock sway bar. It takes full flex of the Sway-A-Way coilovers to stuff the 37x13.50R17 Nitto Mud Grapplers mounted on 17x10 Allied beadlock wheels into the fenders. An AGR steering system with a hydraulic cylinder assist aids in navigating the hefty Nitto tires through tight obstacles.
Quadratec supplied a set of rear fender flares. A Gen-Right Crawler fuel tank was also installed on the Yellow Brute.
The original 4.0L I-6 engine is under the hood but has been outfitted with a variety of power-up parts to bring it up to speed with the heavier-duty axles and elaborate suspension. The engine sports Banks headers and exhaust, an Airaid intake and Poweraid throttle body spacer, and it also received a computer reflash by Doug's Brea Auto Electric. Charging power comes from dual Optima YellowTop batteries mounted in a Kilby Enterprises dual battery tray and wired using heavy-duty power cables from North West Power Products. A Mean Green high-amp alternator and starter also benefit the charging and starting systems. Behind the 4.0L I-6 is a High Impact-built 32RH transmission and an NP231 transfer case with TeraFlex 4-Lo gears and half-case. Also under the hood are a Vanco power brake booster and a Kilby engine-driven onboard air system.
Our Project Yellow Brute is able to twist through the tight stuff just like our factory-wheelbase Wrangler would, and there's still ample space to stuff the tires in the rear wheelwells. Note how the factory taillamps are cleanly integrated into the rear bed corners along with the stock fuel filler and cap. The Brute rear bumper features protective corner hoops, and the tailgate uses stainless latches. AEV also offers a cool tailgate license-plate mount (not pictured). | 
1 Day Paint & Body in Downey, California, sprayed a matching yellow once the conversion was complete. The front Bulletproof bumper holds a Warn 9,000-pound winch and is also sealed to hold air from the Kilby onboard air system. | 
The Brute's turning radius isn't as tight as it is with the factory wheelbase, but we could still pull off most off-road maneuvers and even made a multipoint U-turn on a tight trail. We also experienced a greater perceived stability in off-camber sections, but it could have just been an increased confidence driven by the sight of a macho 6-foot truck bed behind the driver seat. |