Anyone bought their Jeep from AEV?

[somewhereinla]

I am seriously thinking about buying a jeep Rubicon later this year to replace my Land Rover Discovery. Of course the first mod. that need to be done, is changing the bumper and installing a winch. During my research I discovered the AEV bumper and am impress by the design. The first time I logged on the AEV website I discovered the packages they offer and wonder about getting the car directly from AEV with all the after market accessories I need already installed.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the process, as their website is somewhat unclear about it.

Some of my questions are:

How long did it take( from ordering to delivery)? How did the process work? Was the experience a positive one, was the communication good? Do you work with your local dealer or with AEV exclusively? Can you custom design your pkg? Do any of the mods void the warranty? Where is the car built (in Montana or in Michigan)? Is the car ship to you or can you pick it up? etc..

I am sure there are more questions I can think of... Any info would be great.

Cheers.

[paragon]

I'm currently in the process of getting an engine conversion, hood, corners and other things done....it's been a process mostly because much of it is in it's beginning stages and they have not ramped up for beginning production on many things.

I used AEV's contact with a local Jeep Dealer and paid invoice through that dealer. That dealer then moved the vehicle over to AEV's Detroit facilities where all of the work is being done.

The length of the process is totally dependent upon several things that, right now, I doubt could give an accurate handle on a fixed timeframe. With the uncertainty of delivery from Jeep on the vehicle to the dealer, then the availability of the parts once the Jeep arrives, there is a little margin that delay may occur. But for the most part things are very smooth.

You work with both a dealer representative and an AEV representative to secure the vehicle from Chrysler. After the purchase it's then all AEV. The process is relatively simple and fast.

Warranty is subject to AEV's warranties as well as Chrysler warranties. The car will most likely be built in Detroit and they can ship it out or one can arrange to pick it up.

I made have bungled some of the answers but, as another customer that is somewhere along in the process, I thought some of that may help you. Most of it is that AEV will take care of you as long as you keep the communication open. They are very informed and most certainly know what they are doing and won't do something if it's not right.

[somewhereinla]

How long has the process been so far?

[paragon]

For me? Nearly a year.

I decided I wanted a JK and then decided I wanted a V8. I checked around at other available options and wasn't impressed with the what I was hearing. AEV told me they had their conversions coming, so I committed.

But I also had to wait 8 months or so for Chrysler to build my JK and AEV has not quite gotten to the point of putting out the Hemi conversion just yet. So, I have a very skewed time frame due to the delays and really couldn't provide an accurate answer to that.

If I had to guess, from what I've seen, if I had waited until everything was in production to order, the turn around time would likely be no more than 3 or 4 weeks from the time AEV receives the Jeep from the dealer.

[JeepinJon]

How long has the process been so far?

From what I have seen it is typically a month, possibly two depending on what you have AEV complete. This does not account for how long it takes to get the JK built and into AEV. If you use one they have in stock it should be rather quick, but if you custome order then be prepared to wait 6-9 months just for the Jeep :eek:

[jeepfreak]

You could also locate the Jeep yourself and deliver it to AEV. Depending on how quickly you want your Jeep, this may save some of the delays with Chrysler....good luck finding a 4 door Rubicon right now though. I am planning on an AEV Jeep in about a year, but I am starting to do some homework on the process also, so when I am ready to pull the trigger I know exactly what is going to happen.
I could be wrong, but I would assume you could "custom" tailor your AEV somewhat. Although, the conversion they perform is pretty much everything you need and looks amazing. Their work is second to none.

[somewhereinla]

I am not planning to buy anything before the summer, and even if I do get something before the summer, it seems that there are quite a few 4dr Rubicons to be found around where I live (Los Angeles).
At this point I am just looking at options I could also order some of the part I am interested in, and do it myself, like the front bumper, winch etc... However I would like to have the lift done by a pro. And it would be nice to get the new car with most of the after market I need.

Is the work done in Montana or Michigan?

[jeepfreak]

Pretty sure standard conversions are done in Michigan.

[JeepinJon]

Most of the items are done in Michigan, but I have seen them do some conversions in Montana as well. I am not really sure what decides where the conversion is done though.

[Tufjeep]

I'm also in the planning and research phases for my AEV Jeep. I've talked to Kent at AEV, and if AEV doesn't have the Jeep in stock or on order that I want (which right now they don't), then he would put me in contact with his rep at Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho where you can buy the Jeep at invoice price. They would then ship it over to the Missoula shop for the conversion.

Couple of reasons I'm waiting is I haven't sold my '03 Rubi yet and also waiting for AEV to finish a couple of items that they're promising will come out in '08. Also, hopefully by the time I get the Jeep, maybe Chrysler will have the MYGIG kinks all worked out. :rolleyes:

Crap, the '09s may be out by the time I'm ready! HA!

[somewhereinla]

I have never dealt with Jeep before. Do they have a Rubicon shortage, or is it a fairly common thing with jeep (waiting a long time for an order)?

[JeepinJon]

The Rubicon is just in very high demand, along with every other version of the JK. Last I heard Jeep was getting about 1000 orders for the JK per day, and they are only producing 300-400 a day so all models are backed up for special order. The Rubicon just seems to be the model most people are special ordering and so those are the ones you hear about the delays on the most.

[dsimpson9]

I just picked my JK Unlimited up from the Walled Lake facility two weekends ago. Essentially an expedition package with 37" tire upgrade (4" lift, 5.13 ring and pinions). Shocks are remote reservior SSR. substituted synthetic rope/hawse fairlead for cable/roller fairlead.

Waited for color of choice to show up on website in the "available now" section. Called Kent in Missoula to order. Kent sent write up. We went over it and confirmed project. Dealer called 15 minutes later. faxed and overnighted paperwork owned the jeep in three days. Jeep moved to Walled lake facility and built. Pictures sent during project. Total time six weeks. I think they could have had it ready a bit earlier. I know they were shooting for three to four.

Kent called when it was ready we went over the work order one last time while looking at the pictures. He then turned me over to John who coordinated with me by cell phone when I was 30 minutes from the facility the day of the pickup. John gave me a tour of the facility, including an overveiw of the Brute build-up. I saw other customers' vehicles in various stages of completion.

I just moved to Illinois from Colorado. My last jeep was a 2000 TJ:

Currie Rock Jock DANA 60s (35 spine outers)
Rubicon Express 4" long arm lift
Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case
Avenger Supercharger
37" BFGs (4.88 ring and pinions)

The jeep was a trail rig that could spank most anything. This AEV JK Unlimited will go anywhere that TJ did and do it much more comfortably. It is much more civilized on the road and has much more room. It will simpy outperform the TJ just like the TJ outperformed the YJ. It is the perfect family adventure mobile/grociery getter with the ability to spank anything short of buggy territory.

Excellent experience with AEV so far!

Danny

[somewhereinla]

Thanks Danny, great write-up and congrat. on the new jeep. What color did you get, I am curious?

Just one more thing... How does the warranty works. Does the AEV upgrades void the jeep (Jeep lifetime) warranty?

cheers.

[dsimpson9]

I got the Stonehenge White. Looks good with black AEV components and trim. There were no significant changes to the drivetrain. A ring and pinion change does nothing adverse. Tires and lift shouldn't make a difference either. Given the length of the stock control arms and drive shafts the angles are by no means radical. This has been confirmed for me by several jeep dealerships I've spoken with. The Lifetime Powertrain Warranty was one of the biggest selling points for me. Although you can tell it's on 37s the jeep drives like stock. Bump steer/torque steer are a big fat ZERO!

Danny

[somewhereinla]

White would be my first color choice as well, unfortunately they don't have any on order right now. Thanks again for the info, really helpful and feel free to post some pictures :)

cheers.

[Tufjeep]

Thanks Danny for providing all the good info about the process. Gives us future buyers a better insight to the whole process that goes into this. Sounds like a good looking Jeep, and put up some pics when you get a chance!

[dsimpson9]

Will do as soon as the snow stops flying in Chicago. May have to go to EJS just to get some sun! Still not used to this place.

[AEV Kent]

Hey Tufjeep,

I just received notice that or vehicles on order are scheduled to be built shortly and are currently in "D" status. Please check our current inventory list and contact me with any questions that you may have. Thanks

Kent Klein - AEV Sales
kent@aev-conversions.com
406-251-2100 ext 103

[offroader613]

I wouldn't mind getting a rescue green Unlimited JK with the base package and the tow and tint packages, probably won't happen since I bought my Grand Cherokee last May.

[Tufjeep]

Thanks Kent! Will send you an email regarding my status.

Mike

[mdmmd]

Does anyone know if when you order a JK from the factory if the factory will ship to AEV rather then the dealership to have conversion done? If so, how did you set that up? Is it really as easy as having the dealership and AEV talk by phone and set it up? Also if anyone had to ship the JK to and from MI from the east coast, what did it cost for the shipping approximately? thanks

Mike
Rescue green rubicon unlimited on order...

[JeepinJon]

Does anyone know if when you order a JK from the factory if the factory will ship to AEV rather then the dealership to have conversion done? If so, how did you set that up? Is it really as easy as having the dealership and AEV talk by phone and set it up? Also if anyone had to ship the JK to and from MI from the east coast, what did it cost for the shipping approximately? thanks

Mike
Rescue green rubicon unlimited on order...

If you go through AEV they can order it and have it delivered directly to them. If it is already on order then you will probably have to arrange to have it delivered to AEV. Depending on when you ordered, and your dealers allocation it may actually be faster to cancel your order and reorder through AEV.

[somewhereinla]

I keep sending emails to Kent (Must be busy with Easter Jeep Moab), but never get any answers, I sought I would get a better chance to get an answer to my questions on the Forum...

1/ Where is the car build? Michigan or Montana ( I keep getting mixed answers)? (important to me, since if the car is built in Montana, I can actually pick it up)

2/ How is sales tax handled? Do I actually buy it from AEV or do I buy it from a local dealer and then AEV takes the rest of the process over? How is the California emission sticker handled? Can it be order (the sticker) from the manufacturer?

3/ If the car is not built in Montana how is the shipping handled and how much does it cost (to Los Angeles)?

4/ Most of the Jeep on AEV inventory don't come with the my gig/GPS. Can the Jeep my gig be added later or does it need to be ordered with the car? Can AEV install it? What is the JK or JK unlimited order to delivery time frame now-days...?

Cheers,

I hope someone have some of those answers... :)

[JeepinJon]

I keep sending emails to Kent (Must be busy with Easter Jeep Moab), but never get any answers, I sought I would get a better chance to get an answer to my questions on the Forum...

1/ Where is the car build? Michigan or Montana ( I keep getting mixed answers)? (important to me, since if the car is built in Montana, I can actually pick it up)

2/ How is sales tax handled? Do I actually buy it from AEV or do I buy it from a local dealer and then AEV takes the rest of the process over? How is the California emission sticker handled? Can it be order (the sticker) from the manufacturer?

3/ If the car is not built in Montana how is the shipping handled and how much does it cost (to Los Angeles)?

4/ Most of the Jeep on AEV inventory don't come with the my gig/GPS. Can the Jeep my gig be added later or does it need to be ordered with the car? Can AEV install it? What is the JK or JK unlimited order to delivery time frame now-days...?

Cheers,

I hope someone have some of those answers... :)

1. 99% ofthe Jeeps are built in Michigan. Mostly all the is done in Montana is research and development.

2. Sales tax should be able able to be rooled into your financing, and should be applied the same as if you were to go to a local dealer. I am not 100% sure, but I think that the tax on the conversion portion applies only if you take delivery in Michigan, otherwise I think it applies the same way as if you were to order the parts online, where the taxes are waived.

3. I know when I looked into shipping from Michigan to Iowa it was about $350, but there are a few different shipping companies that allow you to put your information in online, and it will give you an instant estimate.

4. You can always add the MyGig at a later time. There are several for sale on e-bay, and all you usually need is to get the computer flashed for about $40 afterwards. Just make sure that if you get one they also include the antenna for the GPS.

[imajeepnut]

I was in close contact with Kent about my JK. I was planning to have it drop-shipped to their facility. Kent gave me the "dealer number" to use for the drop-ship. I was in BG status....and literally overnight it changed to (I can't remember the code) a different status and was on the yard ready to be shipped. My dealer called the DC rep, and the DC rep was out for 3 days vacation....and we couldn't get anyone to help us with the drop-ship request. When this "rep" finally called us back, he said it was already on the freight car and the destination could not be changed! So, I got screwed out of my plans.

->The Drop-ship would have cost me nothing per the dealer.

->You can finance the AEV work in with the cost of the car.

->Per Kent...I would have to pay taxes on the total financed amount. The final drive-out price would be reflected and noted for my local Tax/Tag office to see. That was a bummer to have to pay State taxes on the modifications too.

-> Time Frame... I ordered mine Oct 23rd, expecting to see it in July or August '08...but I received it Feb 11th...just as DC said . We were all confounded since the last one they ordered took 11 months to get. But then again.....this whole recession thing has put a dent in the new car market, so I'm sure the new car orders are way down....hence my quick delivery. I know it caught me off guard!

Now it would cost me $1000 or more to safely ship it back to AEV and another $1000 +/- to get it back.....and I can't justify it since I missed my chance in the first place. I'm hoping I can get what AEV parts I would have had them install.....shipped to me for installation.....like the leather seat skins, maybe the painted hard top and hood....etc. I know they have their paint match down "pat", and I would prefer their end result over a local body shop around here.

[AEV Kent]

To Everyone,

We just arrived back from the Moab Easter Jeep Safari and I am back in the office. I will be returning emails and phone calls today, please check our current inventory section as we have just received many new Rubicon's. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Kent Klein - AEV Sales
406-251-2100 ext 103
kent@aev-conversions.com


Somewhereinla: I have returned your emails

Imajeepnut: I have returned your emails

[imajeepnut]

Hey Kent,

No e-mails received here. I haven't sent any e-mails since my Jeep shipped in Feb., but thanks. I did what I could to make it work, but the timing was terrible on my order.

I did, however, send an e-mail from this site requesting info. on the availability of the leather seats in Dark Khaki, maybe the option of sending my hardtop to you for painting, and the option of buying a JK AEV hood already painted. That question was sent a couple of weeks ago from this site and I have yet to receive a response to that. Maybe you could speak to that in this forum? Can we purchase any of the above mentioned items as described above?

Thanks Kent,
Jeff

[somewhereinla]

No emails here either... Kent I'll send you an updated email since some of my questions have been answered already. Third time is the charm ;)

[AEV Kent]

I keep sending emails to Kent (Must be busy with Easter Jeep Moab), but never get any answers, I sought I would get a better chance to get an answer to my questions on the Forum...

1/ Where is the car build? Michigan or Montana ( I keep getting mixed answers)? (important to me, since if the car is built in Montana, I can actually pick it up)

2/ How is sales tax handled? Do I actually buy it from AEV or do I buy it from a local dealer and then AEV takes the rest of the process over? How is the California emission sticker handled? Can it be order (the sticker) from the manufacturer?

3/ If the car is not built in Montana how is the shipping handled and how much does it cost (to Los Angeles)?

4/ Most of the Jeep on AEV inventory don't come with the my gig/GPS. Can the Jeep my gig be added later or does it need to be ordered with the car? Can AEV install it? What is the JK or JK unlimited order to delivery time frame now-days...?

Cheers,

I hope someone have some of those answers... :)

Here are some answers to your questions:

1. The vehicle will be built in our Michigan office because this our new production facility for conversion vehicles.

2. The vehicle is purchased from our local dealer and I have a direct contact that handles most of our customers. There is a vehicle contract sent from AEV stating the exact modifications for the vehicle and costs involved. Once the vehicle is purchased, it is then delivered to our facility and the conversion process will begin. The customer is updated with the progress of the vehicle and notified when everything is completed. If you are registering the vehicle in CA, then CA emissions are required and the sticker is replaced on the new AEV hood without any problems.

Purchasing and Tax Questions:
If you are financing the vehicle and the conversion together the sales tax is included and there no further payment due to AEV besides shipping.

If you are financing the vehicle and the paying for the conversion seperately, then tax is applied the final bill if you pick the vehicle up from our facility in MI. If the vehicle is shipped to the customer then the customer is responsible for reporting the purchase on their end.

3. Shipping: The shipping cost is determined at the end of the project and AEV will schedule everything for the customer as an added convenience.

4. The MyGig system can be added after the purchase of the vehicle and the installed price is $1899.00. The latest time frame for order the new JK has been about 3 to 4 months depending on the options that you choose.

I hope this helps and please contact me at any time with further questions. Thank you

Kent Klein AEV - Sales
kent@aev-conversions.com
406-251-2100 ext 103

[JeepinJon]

I know in the past there have been issues (with every vendor, not just AEV) where they reply to e-mails but for whatever reason they get rejected. I know I have always had good luck e-mailing Kent directly, but sometimes going through the website, or the forum stuff happens and for whatever reason when they try to respond it gets rejected.

[somewhereinla]

Thanks Kent.