Brute TrayBed

[AEV Dave]

Here is something we're looking into that some of you may find interesting. It needs some changes here and there but its got serious potential. The traybed nearly doubles the useable space and is half the weight. It may also offer a considerable savings. The look is something more Australian so US guys may not like the look as much. I'll post more as it develops.

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[xtrmtj]

Brutiful! I just want everyone to realize what a top notch company both AEV and UTE ltd. I contacted Randy a month ago asking if this was a posibility. Next thing I know he's cordnating with AEV and driving a bed to Montana to test fit. Amazing... Great pictures. And I really like that color on that Brute!

[krobinson]

It needs a skirt at the bottom of it to cover the gaps in the frame. If I would send that kind of money I would want it cleaner looking. The bed looks well made. Just my opinion.

[4Low-Dean]

It needs a skirt at the bottom of it to cover the gaps in the frame. If I would send that kind of money I would want it cleaner looking. The bed looks well made. Just my opinion.

Agreed... and maybe a small cargo box that goes under the front part of the bed. perfect spot for long tools like shovels, or a hi-lift... or maybe two smaller boxes. seems like the body mounts could easily be modded to work with something "usable" there.

[AEV Dave]

It needs a few things, thats why its here and not for sale (yet) :)

dh

[MoparNorm]

How much would it cost to anodize that shinny box in a OD Green color.;)

[imajeepnut]

It certainly adds function to the kit. I'm thinking more of a "stake" side with higher rails for hauling hay, bark, stuff.... and then dump it when you get where you're going ;) I still want that dump option!

What are we rated to carry(loaded) in this scenario Dave?

[forsakenfuture]

I like that your posting sorta "concept" picture.I wish AEV would do this with more of their products to get customer feedback.

[djb_rh]

Damn. I really like it. I assume those sides and tailgate are fairly easily removable, too?

How about an optional "dip" as far as you can do one (if there's a reasonable amount available) in the front area of the tray so you could strap a spare tire against the headache rack and still potentially see over it out the rear view mirror? Enough room to make a 37" workable, anyway? I'm thinking not since the frame rails are fairly close, but...

And if you got the dip, perhaps some sort of cover for the dip that's removable for when you DON'T have the spare in there?


--Donnie

[AEV Dave]

The floor is an extrusion, so you would probably loose some critical strength the way it is designed, but to be honest, a 37" tire placed directly behind the driver was barely visible. The mirrors do need to be extended slightly however.

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dh

[djb_rh]

Oh heck. That's even better.

Damn, I might have to do that if it comes to pass. It doesn't look quite as "cool" as a normal Brute bed, but it's WAY more useful that way.

Wonder if there's a way to sanely "hang" a Hi-Lift under the bed somehow? Or heck, I guess sticking it beside the spare up against the headache rack would work well, too. Wow, I really dig this.


--Donnie

[djb_rh]

Dave, you think you could post a 90 degree profile picture? I'm curious what one would look like with a shorter version of this bed on an LJ length frame (no frame extension, shorter bed, Brute cab). I'm guessing someone like jsherb might be able to fairly accurately photoshop that if I asked nicely. :D


--Donnie

[Rus]

This is awesome....body-colored powdercoated tray, maybe Line-Xed inside, dual spares against the rack, some fenders and storage boxes underneath, and a rear bumper with taillights. That will make a great work-truck.

[MoparNorm]

This is awesome....body-colored powdercoated tray, maybe Line-Xed inside, dual spares against the rack, some fenders and storage boxes underneath, and a rear bumper with taillights. That will make a great work-truck.

Not sure that Power Coating will last very long on aluminum, but anodizing will.
H1 rear bumpers were powder coated aluminum, it fell off in just a few months during actual use.

[xtrmtj]

The floor is an extrusion, so you would probably loose some critical strength the way it is designed, but to be honest, a 37" tire placed directly behind the driver was barely visible. The mirrors do need to be extended slightly however.

1601

dh

That's a 37 you got up there in the picture!? You weren't kidding when you said that bed was huge!! My minds been racing at all the goodies it'll be able to carry. Tj towing mirrors!! :)

got called this am that my frame kit shipped. Got all the parts online to start the mods. I just gotta get home!!!

[Kowboy]

The traybed nearly doubles the useable space and is half the weight. It may also offer a considerable savings.

I hate to be the politically incorrect dissenting vote here ... but ...

what you might gain in function, you lose ten times over in form.

That product is aesthetically challenged in my humble opinion.

Carry on. :cool:

[MoparNorm]

I hate to be the politically incorrect dissenting vote here ... but ...

what you might gain in function, you lose ten times over in form.

That product is aesthetically challenged in my humble opinion.

Carry on. :cool:

Actually he is trying to accurately judge interest, so it's better to be a critic than a fan boy who later doesn't buy the product.
That being said, I should have been clearer, as my post was unclear, it NEEDS to be anodized to a suitable color, I would not buy it in brite aluminum.

[xtrmtj]

Nah! The aluminum gives it the true Aussie look!!!! What I'm going to be using it for (work/play) I like the aluminum finish. Something that could be scratched would look like crap over time. It'll see harsh weather up here in Ak...

[AEV Dave]

Just paint the cab and fenders silver :)

I'm a bit concerned about the MgCl they use on the roads, so lets just say we're looking into it.

Traybed look is not for everyone, its very un-USA and very international. Would be a good way to blend in in many countries.

dh

[MoparNorm]

Nah! The aluminum gives it the true Aussie look!!!! What I'm going to be using it for (work/play) I like the aluminum finish. Something that could be scratched would look like crap over time. It'll see harsh weather up here in Ak...

Well, I'm not an Aussie (but my lockers are!) ;)
An Anodized finish can be scratched, but it's much hardier than paint or powder as it's impregnated into the the aluminum...and I hate brite shiny Jeeps. In the SoCal Sun you might start a forest fire or blind the driver next to you...:D

[xtrmtj]

Well, I'm not an Aussie (but my lockers are!) ;)
An Anodized finish can be scratched, but it's much hardier than paint or powder as it's impregnated into the the aluminum...and I hate brite shiny Jeeps. In the SoCal Sun you might start a forest fire or blind the driver next to you...:D

Niether am I!! Haha. It's dark 7 months outta the year here haha, gotta see something bright ;-)

[MoparNorm]

Niether am I!! Haha. It's dark 7 months outta the year here haha, gotta see something bright ;-)

Ha! Ha! I love it up there in the Summer, but I get pretty tired when the Sun is up for 21 hours...;)

[djb_rh]

I hate to be the politically incorrect dissenting vote here ... but ...

what you might gain in function, you lose ten times over in form.

That product is aesthetically challenged in my humble opinion.

Carry on. :cool:

I agree completely that the Brute bed looks better than a tray. That said, I think the tray does look unique and the added function would make it well worthwhile, IMHO. This is definitely one of those "to each their own" kind of things, obviously. But options are good!

You put a 37" tire in the normal Brute bed to go wheeling and you have VERY little space left for other stuff, for one. For another, being able to drop the sides or the gate is very useful. Then there's just the added footprint. I love the idea. If I were building a Brute, I'd go this route even if I had to fab the bed myself. I'm going to keep my Brute bed, but when this is available, I'm buying one and swapping over. I'll keep the Brute bed for that inevitable day when I move on to the next great thing (like a JK Brute...it'll happen!).

And for those that care what other people think, there's the other angle on this...I've had a TON of people think my Brute was just some cool way you could order a Jeep from the factory. Get that all the time (have even just overheard people talking in parking lots as I am walking back to it saying basically that!). That is to say it looks "too" factory for those that want people to KNOW it's custom. I don't think you'll have that trouble if you put a tray on there. :)

It only bugs me that people think the V8 is factory. Don't we wish!


--Donnie

[xtrmtj]

Any updates Dave?