JL Bumpers

[jforse]

Any word on an updated release date and pricing for the JL front and rear Bumpers?

[aevRJ]

Thanks for the question jforse. I don't have any news regarding pricing, but I can say that we're anticipating them to be released by the end of summer.

[JL John]

aevRJ,
Now that we are a little closer, do you have a projected release date for the new JL Bumpers? Also, I have read on this forum and several others that folks are less than pleased with the fact that the tire carrier does not center the spare from left to right on the JK version. The photos released during SEMA show that the JL version isn't centered either. I believe the last response from AEV was that if there was more of a voice communicating the displeasure that something would be done. Everything you guys do is extremely well thought out, and in my humble opinion, by having the tire carrier offset the spare to the passenger's side, especially when combined with the recess in the bumper being centered, it looks like a huge mistake. Any chance this was addressed during the product development time post SEMA?

[JeepinJon]

aevRJ,
Now that we are a little closer, do you have a projected release date for the new JL Bumpers? Also, I have read on this forum and several others that folks are less than pleased with the fact that the tire carrier does not center the spare from left to right on the JK version. The photos released during SEMA show that the JL version isn't centered either. I believe the last response from AEV was that if there was more of a voice communicating the displeasure that something would be done. Everything you guys do is extremely well thought out, and in my humble opinion, by having the tire carrier offset the spare to the passenger's side, especially when combined with the recess in the bumper being centered, it looks like a huge mistake. Any chance this was addressed during the product development time post SEMA?

Having seen the fronts and rears in Missoula a few weeks ago on the Jeeps shown at SEMA they were still in the same form, so I am guessing they did not center the tire carrier.

Having said that I know at SEMA they mentioned they plan a lot of accessories so that is perhaps part of what is driving the offset, but part of it is also ease of access to the handle to the swing gate. I would argue that using the license plate step to stand on the rear bumper for stowing loads on a roof rack this also gives you more room to stand on the bumper.

Historically AEV has been function with form, but I think this is one where the function outweighs the form in the space they design in.

[JL John]

After calling AEV and speaking to one of their retail sales associates, I don't see any way that the projected "end of summer" release is possible unless aevRJ was referring to summer of 2020. I was told that the product was "still in design" and that there was "no release anticipated in the near future".

[GSADON]

After calling AEV and speaking to one of their retail sales associates, I don't see any way that the projected "end of summer" release is possible unless aevRJ was referring to summer of 2020. I was told that the product was "still in design" and that there was "no release anticipated in the near future".

Geez that’s concerning. I know they are usually last to release, but it’s been a long wait. It’ll be worth it I’m sure.

[peteinny]

Any information on when the new bumpers will be available? Cost? Will they allow the sensors? Haven't heard or seen any information on this lately. Thanks

[JL John]

peteinny,
I called AEV about this in mid July after aevRJ mentioned that he anticipated an end of summer release. Unfortunately, the information I received from their sales associate was that the bumpers were still in design and that there was no anticipated release in the near future. I assume the cost will likely be slightly more than the JK version due to the fact that the design is now more complex with multiple end section options on the front bumper and a step added to the rear.......although the water tank is now gone, so maybe that will offset the step cost. The pictures from SEMA show the rear backup sensors incorporated, if those make the final design is anyone's guess at this point.

[JL John]

I had another thought on the off center tire carrier in regards to the reverse camera this time....if the tire carrier is let's say 6" off center towards the passenger side, how will this effect the rear back up camera that utilizes a center line and side position markers? The camera is mounted in the center of the spare. I researched relocation kits for this reason as well as spare mounted trash sacks, but there isn't much out there yet. Another product idea maybe?

[peteinny]

I think its a shame that AEV has been keeping potential customers in the dark on this. I do like their stuff but it has been a while that the JL has been out and their items seem to be slow in hitting the market with very little communication. You would think they would at least they would update their website to include more of a section for the JL. AEV. Whats going on?

[JL John]

One of the JL Forums had a posting from someone that claims to have been told by AEV that the new target release date is January 2020 for the AEV JL Bumpers. Several subsequent posts were from extremely annoyed supporters of AEV saying they were done waiting and going to purchase a competitor's product instead. I'm not quite there yet, I'm going to try to wait it out because I still believe it is worth the wait for the AEV products. However, I too am starting to lose patience and think that a little communication would go a long way. So many unanswered posts create the wrong perception in my opinion.

[peteinny]

John,
I'm so with you on this. I would have thought they would have had some sort of response on this site. Just a little communication would be nice. If its January that would be ok but it would be nice to know.

[JeepinJon]

John,
I'm so with you on this. I would have thought they would have had some sort of response on this site. Just a little communication would be nice. If its January that would be ok but it would be nice to know.

The issue AEV would have is if January came and went because their bolt manufacturer/cardboard company missed the deadline then AEV looks bad. That is why AEV has always been silent on release dates until the product has been made, boxed, and ready to go out the door.

[GSADON]

The issue AEV would have is if January came and went because their bolt manufacturer/cardboard company missed the deadline then AEV looks bad. That is why AEV has always been silent on release dates until the product has been made, boxed, and ready to go out the door.

Has anybody that moderates this forum answered when a target date is now? Last I saw posted it was summer target date. We are way past that now. Maybe they are working on centering the tire with the carrier lol.

[Chuck Cohn]

I too am losing patience with AEV. I had owned a few AEV Jeeps, including a Brute Double Cab. Their attention to detail and the R&D behind the products is fantastic. That being said, the communication with customers is abysmal. I was working with getting a tailgate repaired with them for 6 months. The warranty guy that was "helping" me apparently left AEV. I only found this out after months of silence from them. When I got back in touch with AEV and the new warranty guy, he suggested I simply get the tailgate repaired locally rather than a new one shipped to me like the original guy said he would do. I did this only to now have AEV say they would see what they could cover towards my repair costs I paid to fix it. It's now been another month of no return emails or returned phone calls.

I know I am far from their best customer and certainly not Chevrolet, but this is making me strongly question my AEV loyalty.