AEV front bumper
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Since my name was mentioned here I'll chime in with my opinion. :-)
Before I bought the AEV, it was a toss-up between the Shrockworks stubby and the AEV. I decided on the AEV because I also live (and park) in the city. Those little plastic projections are nice, although my Jeep is now tall enough that any bump to another car cracks a taillight or dents a hood. If you don't have a lift, then it should be about the right height. I also decided on the AEV because our trails have a lot of trees, and I wanted the extra protection for the axle components. In the end, this is what saved me from really MAJOR breakage in Vermont. I hit that tree VERY HARD, going down a long hill VERY FAST. The AEV took the brunt of the damage and saved the axle, u-joint, inner/outter C, etc. And the air bags didn't go off! (thank god!) When it came time to buy another bumper, I absolutely wanted another AEV.
BTW, something to consider -- the AEV uses some structural bracing and bends in it's design to make it stronger. This allows them to use thinner steel and offer a lighter bumper. I recently bought a rear bumper that's made from 1/4" and OMG is it ever heavy!
js.
Before I bought the AEV, it was a toss-up between the Shrockworks stubby and the AEV. I decided on the AEV because I also live (and park) in the city. Those little plastic projections are nice, although my Jeep is now tall enough that any bump to another car cracks a taillight or dents a hood. If you don't have a lift, then it should be about the right height. I also decided on the AEV because our trails have a lot of trees, and I wanted the extra protection for the axle components. In the end, this is what saved me from really MAJOR breakage in Vermont. I hit that tree VERY HARD, going down a long hill VERY FAST. The AEV took the brunt of the damage and saved the axle, u-joint, inner/outter C, etc. And the air bags didn't go off! (thank god!) When it came time to buy another bumper, I absolutely wanted another AEV.
BTW, something to consider -- the AEV uses some structural bracing and bends in it's design to make it stronger. This allows them to use thinner steel and offer a lighter bumper. I recently bought a rear bumper that's made from 1/4" and OMG is it ever heavy!
js.
JS,
Thanks for the input. From your threads, it sounds like customer service with AEV was very good too. It was a pleasure meeting you at the Bethel Jamboree! I was the guy with the rescue green sahara--the only stock one there, I'm sure. I did the Sunday River trail on the second day but I think it was a bit harder than when you did it because of all the mud and the fact that the trail had already been chewed up from the first day. There was one mudslide hill towards the end that we did almost exactly what you did in Vermont, and that was when I hit the tree, but wasn't going nearly as fast. A few times I thought a tree was going to be my new B-post! I also bent that rail up under the bumper that bridges the main frame rails (anyone else done that?). I believe you have your D-rings on either side of it on your AEV bumper. If I still lived in Maine, your jeep would definitely be a good guide. Look forward to seeing you at the next one!
Chris
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
My bestfriend wanted to drive over a few on my moms road, in the sticks in my hometown, doubt the plastic factory ... would hold up to that ...