Complete Knock Down (CKD)

[DonaldSB]

Given the fact that Chrysler is selling the J8 to AEV as a CKD kit, at which point AEV assembles the vehicle and sells it to end consumers sans engine and transmission, why isn't Chrysler or AEV offering end consumers unassembled CKD kits?


As I intend on making some modifications to the stock J8, particularly the rear suspension and the transmission, it would be more practical and feasible for a person like me to purchase an unassembled CKD kit at a more reasonable price than that of the assembled CKD ($42,000). I would be willing to purchase said kit even without any warranty whatsoever from neither Chrysler nor AEV.


In addition, please note that the production J8 is shipped from Toledo in the form of a CKD and assembled in Cairo by the Arab American Vehicles Co. and in Nazareth by Automotive Industries, Ltd.

Both Egypt and Israel have the J8 available for export at lower prices.


In other words, if one chooses to own a J8 in the US, he could import it. But, the logistics involved require a lot of patience and time.


In conclusion, Chrysler could have earned itself quite a few happy customers here in the US were they to simplify the process through which one may purchase a J8, whether assembled or unassembled, as a kit or parts.

[JeepinJon]

I spoke with an AEV dealer that is doing these conversions, and they mentioned that they could do the CRD on a JK without any problems. The only thing with the CRD is that it required the fuel system to be changed, and all the engine components be imported the same way the J8 is, so by the end of the deal it would have been signifigantly cheaper just to do a Hemi swap.

[DonaldSB]

JeepinJon,

Thank you for sharing that important piece of the 'puzzle', as it were.

My main interest in the J8 stems from the reinforced frame and chassis. In other words, emissions would be of little to no concern to Chrysler in this case. Ideally, I would transplant the JK parts (which I already have) into the J8 frame with the addition of a HEMI V8, Getrag 238 manual transmission and Dana 44/60.

[Mieser]

I think there would have to be a minimum order, or at least that is my understanding. I think AEV is dealing with this issue too. If you could get like 30 of your friends together to order one you might be able to pull it off.

The attraction of the J8 for me is the long wheelbase 3-door platform, the diesel, the stronger body, stronger frame, and stronger axles. There is a lot of little stuff like the heavy duty cooling system and power-core air cleaner that also make a difference to me. The J8 also doesn't have any of the ESP stuff, and from what I can see minimal wiring and computer control. I am sure there is a lot more little stuff that makes the J8 different. I can't wait to see an in depth meticulous review along with some modifications/buildups.

The J8 is climbing to the top of my next vehicle list quickly.

[AEV Dave]

CKD kits aren't what you're thinking. They are not a "Jeep in a box", they are 30 of this pc and 30 of that pc, and by complete, they mean complete, the bodies are individual raw stampings with no ecoat or paint, so you would have to weld the body together without fixtures and then without the ecoat, you would get to watch it rust away. It would be sweet if we could sell a Jeep in a box, but its just not realistic to bring in the parts and repackage them into a kit that the average guy could assemble.

dh

[Rus]

Does AEV bring in ecoated/painted bodies from egypt, or do you get them from Toledo?

[Jdemonto]

Does AEV bring in ecoated/painted bodies from egypt, or do you get them from Toledo?

Read this.... (http://www.aev-conversions.com/products/jk_rear_bumper/design/AEV_rear_bumper.pdf)

[offroader613]

Read this.... (http://www.aev-conversions.com/products/jk_rear_bumper/design/AEV_rear_bumper.pdf)

Jason, that shows up as the rear bumper PDF.... I don't need to download that again.