AEV Tub Stretch Idea

[rubclt]

I remember AEV did a center tub stretch years ago. Basically, as I recall, added 10” to 20” in the center of the frame/tub. This would basically make a Military T1. Any chance AEV could cobime the brute frame extension with a new product called "tub stretch"? This would be inserted between the rear door and front wheel wheel for a T1 like TJ... This would allow the benefits of a Brute wheelbase and still have four seats...

[Laurie]

Good idea... but I think the Unlimited killed the need for it? Or do you want to make an Unlimited longer than it already is?

[rubclt]

I own a TJ unlimited, longer would be better in wheel base, i.e. 24" like brute extension on a SWB TJ would give about 117" WB with a shorter area after the rear tire, like a SWB TJ. The other option I am considering is a SWB TJ nth stretch (which I hope they make again) on an unlimited, which would give you about 108-109" WB and by moving back would shorten the space behind the rear wheel. I think this maybe a little harder because of the rear frame box on the rear of an unlimited. I think the easiest would be to use the brute frame stretch with all the brake line kit, etc already made. The hardest part with this approach is the tub, thus this post... Sorry for the rambling, does that make sense?

[Jdemonto]

I like the idea.....

Jason

[Dirt]

Good idea... but I think the Unlimited killed the need for it? Or do you want to make an Unlimited longer than it already is?

The unlimiteds come with an extra ~5" of body after the rear wheel. What he wants is to stretch the tub, so that his unlimited has the extra tub in front of the rear wheels (even more than stock) while removing the extra body behind the rear wheels (like a TJ). Unless I misunderstood him..

http://wyomingwrangler.com/director/albums/album-1/lg/departure.jpg

[rubclt]

Thanks for picture, that's the idea, moving rear axle might work, but the double frame rail in the rear would need to be managed considered. Genright tank would fit with their rear frame bracket. Still about 108" vs 117"... The JK four door is 116" wheelbase and I have seen them take lines I would never consider... Keep the ideas flowing...

[Rock Your 4x4, Inc.]

I bet they'll not see a market for what you are talking about. They probably discontinued their 4 dr TJ conversion for a reason as well. There was also a company in Oak Ridge ,TN that did the same style of 10" center stretch and a 4dr version. The rear doors looked identical to AEV's.

[Totenkopf]

The TJ isn't being produced anymore, so there is not much chance of a company putting money into development of a kit to stretch a TJ, but you could always buy a TJ tub from a yard and do it yourself. Tubs are pretty cheap around here.

I'd like it if AEV came out with a kit to stretch a 2-door JK.

[rubclt]

I did think about the demand for a TJ Tub stretch, tough call here, I was hoping AEV may still have the original stretch stuff. It seems like a logical product extension to the Brute. One part, center tub, use all the other Brute parts... As for using another TJ tub, I have looked at that, maybe an Unlimited, but the wheel wells would need a lot of work...

There would be the issue with the top, I would run a safari and call it done, but other may want a full enclosure... This is the tough issue in thinking about making a production version.

[forsakenfuture]

I so wish they would make a tub stretch for the short wheelbase.I have a ton of time and money invested in my 99' TJ.At that time they didnt offer a long wheelbase and i so wish i had the cargo room of my Unlimited.I not so much wanting it for the wheel base so "comp cutting" wont do my much good since i wont gain inside room.

[AEV Jim]

Hmmm...fun discussion here! Even before I'd come to AEV I was talking with Dave about something along these lines, but as you can see it hasn't happened for the reasons you've speculated (marginal business case). AEV used to do +10" and +20" stretches as was mentioned, but AEV never did a 4-door TJ conversion. That actually takes even more stretch and I think that place in TN was adding like 30" or more.

Three's nothing magical about the 24" wheelbase stretch on the Brute except that the fuel and brake lines are pre-made for it. The one that I'd love to see (but again don't hold your breath!) is one that one of our techs has already done: stretch a SWB +15". You get at 108.4" wheelbase with the shorter rear overhang of the SWB car still intact...and it fits standard TJ Unlimited hard and soft tops.

You could also achieve this by starting with an unlimited and doing a 'suspension stretch' using the old Nth stretch brackets as was speculated, but then you'd have some way-oversize wheelwells and would need to reskin the bodysides to move the wheelwells (either a corner guard overlay or body work). Cutting out the 'extra' crossmember in the back would allow the stock tank to be retained, but something would have to be done about the front-of-tank crossmember - cutting/rewelding it rearward wouldn't be out of the question...

Okay...sorry to participate without being able to offer any hope that AEV will go down this path, but we do appreciate the discussions/dreams!

Jim

[Dirt]

I bet they'll not see a market for what you are talking about. They probably discontinued their 4 dr TJ conversion for a reason as well. There was also a company in Oak Ridge ,TN that did the same style of 10" center stretch and a 4dr version. The rear doors looked identical to AEV's.

Woah, they had a 4-door TJ conversion? Any know of any photos still lingering around the corners of the internet?

Edit: Nevermind.. just read the post above mine.

[rubclt]

OK, sounds like dreaming, thanks Jim for joining in... I can only imagine the business case would work with TJ owners wanting more room vs. a bed like the Brute... That is why this is a discussion board, to talk (type) things through

[AEV Jim]

OK, sounds like dreaming, thanks Jim for joining in... I can only imagine the business case would work with TJ owners wanting more room vs. a bed like the Brute... That is why this is a discussion board, to talk (type) things through

Yep, exactly. I would love to have a Brute myself, but I can't justify it because I need more than two seats. I did the chassis development and tuning on the T1 that was mentioned and all the while I was doing that I was saying to myself "man this would make a great starting point for a buildup!" (especially the 2.8L VM diesel version). BTW the T1 is a +22" stretch with no additional overhang, so it's 2" shorter WB than a Brute, and the 4-dr. JK slots right in between...funny all of the similar wheelbases...these are also the wheelbase for most shortbed/std.cab fullsize trucks (or at least it used to be on by my '78 J-10 and my '94 Dodge BR1500).

Jim

[Totenkopf]

BTW the T1 is a +22" stretch with no additional overhang, so it's 2" shorter WB than a Brute, and the 4-dr. JK slots right in between...funny all of the similar wheelbases...
Didn't think the T1s had that long of a wheelbase...and they actually look good with it. I think it would be fairly easy to stretch an Unlimited soft top to whatever reasonable length you needed for a stretched TJ...like they did on this stretch JK...http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Jeep/Mopar-2007-Jeep-Dodge-17.jpg

Most 4 door TJs I have seen look way too long, except for the Storm...I think it has a 116" wheelbase. Jim, do you know if the Storms were stretched in the middle-east, or if they were made that way in America and shipped to them as a LWB tub "knock down" kit? I think a LWB TJ like the Storm or T1 could have sold pretty well here.

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/israeli_jeeps/big/sufa2-005.jpg

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/israeli_jeeps/big/sufa2-010.jpg

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp291/KGD2406/MonsterBT.jpg

[rubclt]

You had to post another picture of that T1 with a HL on 40's, SWEET! I would buy a T1 if I could find one in USA... Since we can't, next best thing is to make one, that's why I started this thread... If we had a tub stretch, Brute frame kit, HL, etc. and for fun you could do the Liberty Diesel... poof, a USA T1 is born.

[forsakenfuture]

You get at 108.4" wheelbase with the shorter rear overhang of the SWB car still intact...and it fits standard TJ Unlimited hard and soft tops.

Jim

i wish this was a kit we could buy....:rolleyes:

[Jdemonto]

I love the storm, theres a place here stretching Yj's and Tj's for jeep tours 20+. I say use the brute fram extentions and have someone fab up new sides to fill the hole in.

The AIL Storm (Hebrew: סופה‎, Sufa) is an Israeli manufactured mini SUV and the workhorse of the Israeli Security Forces. The series of Jeep Wrangler based vehicles have been produced by Automotive Industries Ltd. in Upper Nazareth under licence from Chrysler since 1990. The vehicles fill a number of military roles, including that of armoured Infantry Mobility Vehicle, and certain models are available for export as well as for the civilian market.

Production of an updated four-door second generation model commenced in 2006 despite some mixed messages from the Storm's primary customer, the Israel Defence Forces. Development of a third generation vehicle based on the new Jeep Wrangler JK is in advanced stages, and significant production for both Israeli and foreign customers is planned.

[rubclt]

I think doing one off tub and roof would be too costly... I have the nth 4.5 LA kit sitting in garage ready for install, maybe a good time to move axle back? It would be the same as moving a SWB back. Use new corners to fill-in front of wheel well. I would need…

1. Cables and lines for brakes are Brute's be too long or guess they could be trimmed...
2. Drive shaft
3. Jim, do you still have any of the rear upper long arm/Stinger mount that can be welded separate to frame? I think this how an nth LA Brute is done? Which rear LA/Stinger would work best with the new mount, the LWB or SWB? (I have both)
4. Genright tank and corners
5. Have to look at rear HL flares to see how they would line up…
6. LJ frame mods, removing rear cross member and moving one back?
7. Spring perches, nth made a set for a TJ stretch are these still around?
8. Relocate Vap canister by modifying bracket like a TJ stretch

What else am I missing?

Here is picture of too long rear, but would breakover become concern with 5" more in wheelbase. This is 3" lift, planning 4.5"...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/wolfpacker76/URE036.jpg

[AEV Jim]

I don't know much about the Storm, but I do know that Jeep/Chrysler had pretty much nothing at all to do with it. My old group at Chrysler (Special Programs) would have been involved if they had, and it wouldn't have been so friggin' ugly! Best I can tell/guess it's the same wheelbase as a normal T1 (115"), just with some rear doors squeezed in and a top added (T1's don't normally have tops at all).

Jim

[offroader613]

Didn't think the T1s had that long of a wheelbase...and they actually look good with it. I think it would be fairly easy to stretch an Unlimited soft top to whatever reasonable length you needed for a stretched TJ...like they did on this stretch JK...http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Jeep/Mopar-2007-Jeep-Dodge-17.jpg

Actually, that JK wasn't stretched, it was shortened. It started life as an Unlimited.

[Jdemonto]

Actually, that JK wasn't stretched, it was shortened. It started life as an Unlimited.

I wish jeep would build a JK 2dr lwb


http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Jeep/Mopar-2007-Jeep-Dodge-17.jpg

[offroader613]

If they did, I'd take one in that blue the All Access one was painted in.

[JeepinJon]

If they did, I'd take one in that blue the All Access one was painted in.

That color looks better in pictures than it does in real life. It is obnouxious and a lot of blue in real life.

[Jdemonto]

That color looks better in pictures than it does in real life. It is obnouxious and a lot of blue in real life.

I think the blue everything was ove the top, if they left the mirrors, fenders etc black it would have not been so bad.

Jason

[offroader613]

Only because it was obnoxious is one of the reasons I'd take it. Or in the olive drab like the J8 Sarge. :rolleyes:

[Totenkopf]

15" stretch looks good. Even looks easy without a "kit".

http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/LumberjackJeep/Jeep%20Stretch/

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/LumberjackJeep/Jeep%20Stretch/JeepStretch042.jpg?t=1231455606

[ryancrouch]

Anybody have a link to instructions that came with the AEV kit? Looking to see what all steps are required to replicate it. And what all would one need (extra tub, etc?)?

[forsakenfuture]

if AEV sold a kit for this i would be one of the first in line..