JL Bumpers

[toolaide4fit]

We are half way through the Month of August and still nothing on the JL Bumper. Any idea if the rear bumper will have the ability to use the sensors? Actually, if there really going to be a release this month or is it just another ploy to string us along? I wish AEV would deliver and quit the ridiculous delaying and not communicating...totally have lost faith they can be honest...what else are they not honest about?

[JL John]

We are half way through the Month of August and still nothing on the JL Bumper. Any idea if the rear bumper will have the ability to use the sensors? Actually, if there really going to be a release this month or is it just another ploy to string us along? I wish AEV would deliver and quit the ridiculous delaying and not communicating...totally have lost faith they can be honest...what else are they not honest about?

toolaide4fit,
I think I figured it out, AEV telling everyone that the bumpers were going to be available this month was actually their April Fools joke....... they were just late in sending it out just like everything else!

I have always found them to be honest, I don't think they are intentionally lying to anyone, they have just had several bumps in the road in pulling everything together and COVID19 certainly didn't help their supply chain. What is super frustrating to me is the total lack of communication in conjunction with a perceived arrogance.

While I'm on the soapbox, I realize the Boron Steel has created some challenges, but the rear bumper now looks like a total copy of the JK version. Everything that made the SEMA 18 version stand out with an OEM look was stripped back off. No step, no tire recess, no lights/reflectors, etc.

But I digress........Truth is, most people believe in the product and put up with a few frustrations because they think it is still worth it at the end of the day. I wish I produced a product that commanded such loyalty. They clearly are doing something right.

[toolaide4fit]

April Fools sounds right...and the customers are the fools! So they can build AEV conversions with the bumpers which says they can manufacture them, it says there is NO supply issue. So what could possibly be the excuse they can't or won't sell them?

They announced at SEMA 2018 they were coming in early 2019. Well, that was over a year ago. Still not bumpers...I understand things happen...Covid 19 etc. But why would you post in IG to watch for next month? Communication is key here. But to ignore questions and never answering what is going on is extremely frustrating.

So, I have waited for quite some time...Monday is MY last day...I will take my business somewhere else. If you can't deliver, you have failed. I really like the looks of the bumper, but if it never shows you can't get it. Can't wait and won't wait anymore because I don't have faith they will deliver. Don't know why, but have to believe this is about them making money and this segment is not worth the effort to communicate and deliver. No communications leaves our minds to wonder and guess what could possibly take this long? Oh well!

[Nate.Hamm]

Toolaide4fit, I think AEV is well aware that they are loosing money by not getting to market by now. I have heard the first design they wanted to do didn't work so well at crash testing so they had to do some redesigning. That being said AEV is either the only one to crash test their bumpers or one of only a few.

[toolaide4fit]

Nate, I would have tremendous respect if that in fact was the problem and they communicate it. What I don't get is how you can tweet out "What for it next month" after waiting almost 2 years and then not only not make it, but be silent once again. So, help me understand how they can build the Jeeps with the AEV bumpers if you purchase the JL350 or JL370 package? Did they not care about the safety of the people that buy those Jeeps? So, from my perspective they obviously make them, they obviously sell them in their packages. They continue to falsely advertise they are coming but don't ever make a date they communicate and then when they miss it there are nothing but crickets?

I admit I don't get it or understand it. Sometimes companies worry about the bottom line and lose their moral compass. I get it if it is a manufacturing issue, I understand if it is a supply issue, and I understand if they decide they don't want to deliver it because of other more profitable business. What could it possible be...trying to force people to buy their complete package? Just totally baffled!

[Nate.Hamm]

Toolaide4fit, Just a correction for clarification, I heard AEV had problems with crash tests at first when they designed their bumper. I do believe they had figured it out before they installed them on the JL350s and JL370s. If you followed AEV during their release of their Colorado bumpers the Bison truck was out for about 4-6 months before they released the bumper separately. On another note AEV doesn't make or do the processes in house for a bunch of stuff so if their vendors who stamp or paint the bumpers are on reduced hours or closed, AEV is at their mercy.

That being said AEV is pretty poor at communication to their customers, Matt Felderman does a pretty good job on Facebook. This forum I would consider to be dead. I did see a job posting from them for a social media position, my guess they hired poorly.

One thing I have noticed their isn't a full width bumper on any of the JL350s and JL370s

[Jk Ice]

I'm continuing to try and hold out. It's been 1.5 years since I first heard from AEV that this JL front bumper will likely be designed to also fit JKs. Been driving with the less than spectacular factory bumper since I purchased the JKU in 2017. I'd hate it if when it finally does debut that they abandoned the idea of engineering it to also fit JKs.

[LineManNick]

End of summer has come and gone. Any update on the release date?

[JL John]

I called again last week. AEV wouldn't tell me anything other than there was no planned release in sight. Not sure why they posted on Facebook to "look out for our new bumper next month" back in August. Yet again, superior product, but maybe the worst customer service and overall bad attitudes I've experienced. Trying to understand their perspective, but struggling to get there.

[frenchjk]

I've been seeing a few euro jl's and imported JT on this side of the pond with the JK design...apparently they fit with no or very little modification.

[JL John]

I think I just found a picture of the new AEV JL Bumpers........

[toolaide4fit]

I have great news...AEV has announced that they will release the JL Bumpers by the end of the year! At this point, they have not confirmed which year in the future, but we are hopeful it will be by the end of the century!

[JL John]

I'm wondering if most have given up on the forum, seems like the activity is extremely low compared to years past. It would be awesome to hear some news from someone at AEV about stock. I have yet to see the JL Bumpers in stock other than the steady flow rolling out on the AEV-built rigs. I was able to get my hands on a rear setup from Quadratec, but they still don't have any fronts in stock either. In a couple months it will be 3 years since these things were unveiled at SEMA and still no availability.