"Family Brute" concept

[ChasEx]

Hi everyone,

My name's Chase and I'm a huge fan of the Brute Design. I'm 23 years old and I live in San Diego, CA. Off-Road Vehicles are some what of a passion of mine.
A few months ago I discovered the Brute while surfing on the web. I think it is an excellently proportioned off-road vehicle. I want to get into off road driving more extensively, however I'd like to focus specifically on Overland Vehicle Dependent Expeditions. Upon discovering the Brute, I thought I'd stumbled upon the perfect vehicle to turn into my future expedition vehicle. The only problem is I have three people in my family and the Brute design only accommodates two people. Long story short, I started playing around on my computer to come up with a jeep modification based on the brute design. The first idea ended up have far too long of a wheel base. And looked kind of awkward.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/datsunsrule/untitled-8.jpg

The second design I came up with is a two door expedition vehicle that I think resembles a Land Rover 110, but with a jeep front end.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/datsunsrule/truckprototype2.jpg

There are two things I like about this design. First of all, I love Land Rovers but try finding a 110 or 130 in the USA. It's almost impossible. The second thing I like about this design is that it accommodates a family of up to 4 people.
I put this design up to get some feed back from people interested in the Brute design, and also to show the AEV, a new Jeep design mod from when of your own forum members. :)

Thanks,

Chase

[JeepinJon]

I would say that for what you are looking for I would go for an JK Unlimited with four doors, and start there. If you want something slightly older, then I would get an LJ. Both are going to be similar in dimension to the Land Rover, but are easier to find, and have more modds available. They also have lots of room for gear for when you do want to do an overland expedition.

[butcher_block]

i like the thought of an XLJ better in this case
brute frame and bed kit
use the bed (cut off the front wall) as the back half and stretch the the cab to meet keeping the bench seat and having everything meet in the middle. then what ever room would be left in the bed put up a new front wall behind the bench

custom top needed and lots of body work

[mtjeeper]

I've thought of this too - cool idea for those who want more room than an LJ but want to stick with a TJ Jeep. Would a Scrambler top work with mods to the body of the Brute or is the top too short?

[ChasEx]

Good point. Using a four door jeep like the XJ, or the new jk would definatly be more practical. I like the new jk unlimiteds, but are they as offroad capable and reliable as the Wrangler? They seem to be alittle more of a daily driver type vehicle.

[xjski03]

This would probably be a good time to bring AEV's africana concept up. An XJ can be just as capable as any TJ. Plus, the cherokee already seats 4, and has more room for storage. When you throw in the full-size sunroof and cut the back off. It's just like a 4 dr wrangler.

http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/show_africana.php

[rubclt]

I think the JK 4 Door with 35" tires is very capable offroad... needs a V8, AEV has that covered... If you could take a Brute like bed and mate it to a 4 door that would be cool... The JK is wider so it would require some work and the wheel wells would need to be realigned... I am sure there are a lot of reson this won't work, but since we are dreaming... Most of the truck sales these days are 4 doors and if Jeep does make their truck it is only a two door... Just my two cents...

[somewhereinla]

There are two things I like about this design. First of all, I love Land Rovers but try finding a 110 or 130 in the USA. It's almost impossible.

I do love the Wrangler, but having own Land Rover before, I did inquire about the Defender which was my first choice. Do email Land Rover, the more people ask about it the more likely it will come back in the U.S. Hopefully with their 4 cylinder diesel which is sold all over the world. The reason it isn't sold in the U.S anymore is because it doesn't have an airbag system which the U.S government require for all cars sold in this country.

As far as the Unlimited, it is as good off road as the 2dr. just look at the AEV photo gallery or any other JK forums. I am certainly looking forward getting mine.

cheers.

[JeepinJon]

Out of all of the Land Rovers I would say that my personal favorite is the Defender 90, but the ones from the early 90's. I am not a big fan of the new headlights. I also don't think that there is as much after market support for the Land Rovers as there is for the Jeeps. Also from what I have heard on the new Land Rovers there are some very serious quality control problems. I would assume it is mostly with the new versions since the Defenders for the most part have mechanically stayed the same for quite a long time.

[somewhereinla]

Actually there are quite a few after market company for Land Rovers, ARB for example has quite a few Land Rover after market products. OME if I am not mistaken, started as a Land Rover after market suspension kit. I think we don't see much of it in this country because Land Rover, especially the Defender is not very popular.
Having own a few Land Rovers myself, I do agree that there are a few quality issues, but they are not mechanical in nature. None of my Land Rovers have ever break down. The main problems I have had were leaks. I don't know why, but Land Rover is notorious for using inferior rubber. I have had to swap most of the seals in all the Land rovers I have ever had. But the engine and transmissions never failed ( at least no that I remember), but they do require a lot of care. However they are easy and simple to repair in the field, which is always a big plus. To be honest, Jeep doesn't have the best quality record as well...

[ChasEx]

I love what AEV has done with Jeep modification. I potentially see myself buying the Brute kit in the future, mostly because I love the lines on it. As I said earlier my only issue with that is that I have three people in my family and I need something that accommodates all of us, while at the same time retaining function and style that I'm looking for. I personally am not a fan of the Cherokee Body. I wish I was. I do like the JK's. That may be the route I end up taking, but I also can't get over the lines on the Land Rover defenders. We'll see. The point about after market parts cannot be overlooked either. Jeep definitely dominates the market.

This is another idea I was playing with. Don't mind the cheesy name... I was bored.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/datsunsrule/untitled-10-1.jpg

..More of an expedition vehicle. what are your opinions??

[HUNTER]

Great concept, checkout Earthroamer.com. They have an expedition vehichle based on the JK.

[JeepinJon]

Great concept, checkout Earthroamer.com. They have an expedition vehichle based on the JK.

That is what I was thinking as well. My main concern would be hitting the top while off road, and the higher center of gravity making the posibility to roll much greater.

[xjski03]

Yet, they don't give credit to AEV anywhere on there site for the JK front bumper.

[somewhereinla]

Chase, this might be what you are looking for:

http://www.earthroamer.com/tab_xpedition_vehicles/xvjp1_overview.html

:)

[JeepinJon]

For the price of one of those Earth Romers, I would reccomend getting a tent trax, or adventure trailer and towing it behind the JK. $77,000 for the conversion without the Jeep :eek::eek::eek:

The Adventure trailers are about $10,000, and can do pretty much the same thing, and then you could use the extra money to modify the Jeep, and still be able to use the Jeep as a daily driver.

[somewhereinla]

Sure, but you have to admit that this is about the coolest tent you have ever seen... ;)

And the amenities are just amazing, Fitting a toilet, shower, kitchen and all the other cool stuff in a JK is a wonder of engineering. :)

[JeepinJon]

It is amazing what they fit into there, and in the limited space, and it is a nice looking tens, but I couldn't imagine having a tiolet in the Jeep, especially right behind the passenger seat. What a mess that could be if you got on too steep of a side hill, or went around a corner too fast.

[ChasEx]

It is amazing what they fit into there, and in the limited space, and it is a nice looking tens, but I couldn't imagine having a tiolet in the Jeep, especially right behind the passenger seat. What a mess that could be if you got on too steep of a side hill, or went around a corner too fast.

funny. but true. :D

[Totenkopf]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/datsunsrule/truckprototype2.jpg
That looks similar to the steel Overlander tops Jeep made for export CJ-8s. One could be modified to fit an Unlimited TJ.

http://forum.aev-conversions.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=194&stc=1&d=1208412567

[ChasEx]

That would actually be perfect. I love the lines on it. It's got more of a safari look to it. Are those tops very rare??

Thanks

Chase

[offroader613]

funny. but true. :D

Especially if it was really runny.

[JeepinJon]

Especially if it was really runny.

:o:eek::p:p

[JeepSauce]

This might tickle your interest:

http://home.stny.rr.com/jscherb/scrambler/

[offroader613]

That is a very cool truck.

[ChasEx]

This might tickle your interest:

http://home.stny.rr.com/jscherb/scrambler/

It did. That's exactly what I had in mind. Thanks.

Chase

[JeepSauce]

Glad I could help