Overland Expo 2014

[Rexjc]

Just got back from the 2014 Overland Expo near Flagstaff, AZ. It's a fun show that attracts around 6,000 people from all over the world. If you like off-road camping and the equipment and vehicles that will get you there, then this is the show for you. Had a chance to talk with Dave and Kent and the rest of the AEV team and to see the Ram concept vehicle in person. The AEV Ram truck appears much larger in person than it looks in pictures. That is because the 40" tires, new AEV wheels, fender flares and 3" lift seem very proportional to the dimensions of the truck body. If anything, the new Four Wheel pop-up camper seemed a bit small for the truck. However, once inside the camper, you have to be impressed with the amount of useable space. The new Ram front bumper looks better on the truck than the OEM bumper and blacking out the front grill enhances the look of the bumper. Here are some pictures from the show. For those of you that couldn't make the trip to Flagstaff (Mormon Lake), keep in mind that there will be an East Coast Overland Expo this year in Asherville, NC, on October 3-5. http://www.overlandexpo.com/news/201...expo-east.html

[Rexjc]

Here are some gratuitous shots of the 6.4 engine. The folks at Adventure Trailer had their newest AEV rig at the show. The Overland Journal booth featured their new JK Brute.

[Rexjc]

There we're a lot more vehicles to look at than Jeep's, but I'm admittedly biased.

[Ben Hedrick]

Rex, Cool pics! Thanks for sharing. I hope to be able to make the East Coast version in Oct. Just have to change my Keys vacation plans... :roll eyes:

Ben

[Rexjc]

For those of you that have recently won the Lotto, there were plenty of vehicles in the $200,000+ category. The Earthroamer pictured was fresh off the assembly line and had a price tag of $540,000. That included $30,000 for the optional 40" military tires, bead-lock wheels and axels. The joke was that it you offered, you could probably drive it away for an even $500,000. I didn't even ask what the Unimogs cost. I believe that they are in the category of "if you have to ask, you can't afford them". Still lots of fun to look at and dream about.

[Will Cabell]

Those brute trucks are so awesome! Great photos!

[Rexjc]

Those brute trucks are so awesome! Great photos!

Thanks Will. The JK Brutes are even more impressive when you are actually standing in front of them. While they are only a couple of feet longer than the JKU, they look a lot bigger when you see them next to each other. 37's and a 4.5" lift fit the JK Brute perfectly. After seeing how nice the 40's looked on the Ram concept truck, I think that you would be kicking yourself for going with anything smaller on the Ram truck.

[James04]

Dave's Brute DC will take some getting use to with the km2s, I'm use to seeing that jk with the iroks. Looked great with the iroks! Those km2s look larger than 37s, maybe it's just me...
Dave insight why you decided to go with km2s instead of iroks again?

[Ben Hedrick]

That FJ Cruise is pretty cool looking... (Oops, did I write that out loud?) And the trailer with the RTT and the Trans AM wheels...! Cool...!

Ben

[Shjbruba]

Great pics!

[JeepinJon]

Dave's Brute DC will take some getting use to with the km2s, I'm use to seeing that jk with the iroks. Looked great with the iroks! Those km2s look larger than 37s, maybe it's just me...
Dave insight why you decided to go with km2s instead of iroks again?

Dave normally throws the KM2s on for shows and events. If you see it outside of a show or event you will usually see it with the IROKs. I think it is what is offered vs. Dave's personal prefrence. When shown to the public it is shown as it is offered.

[Rexjc]

That FJ Cruise is pretty cool looking... (Oops, did I write that out loud?) And the trailer with the RTT and the Trans AM wheels...! Cool...!

Ben

Hi Ben

That was probably the nicest looking FJ at the show. Here are a few more shots of FJ's. The FJ Cruiser was well represented in both the exhibit and camping areas. For anyone planning on attending a future Overland Expo, give yourself time to walk the camping areas. It's just as interesting as the exhibit area.

The Mighty FC Jeep was also there sans top and portal axels.

[James04]

Dave normally throws the KM2s on for shows and events. If you see it outside of a show or event you will usually see it with the IROKs. I think it is what is offered vs. Dave's personal prefrence. When shown to the public it is shown as it is offered.

Not true Jon. Do you remember the first brute dc? Have you seen Dave's 2dr jk diesel? And Dave's brute dc as seen here , all seen at events / shows/ photo shoots with 37" iroks.

[JeepinJon]

Not true Jon. Do you remember the first brute dc? Have you seen Dave's 2dr jk diesel? And Dave's brute dc as seen here , all seen at events / shows/ photo shoots with 37" iroks.

I have seen them in person, and in person at AEV they always have had IROKs on them. Sometimes this has only been a week or two before a show liek SEMA, or other events. At the events 95% of the time the same Jeep will have a BFG on it.

I don't know what the official partnership is between AEV and BFG, but I know that Dave has been to exclusive first looks/test drives of BFG tires. Also AEV has a tendancy to be able to get the BFG tires when other companies can't. As an aftermarket manufacturer it seems like they have a good working relationship. This might equate to the tires being on the vhicles at X number of photo shoots, press releases, etc... that waould mean that AEV would have a reason to need to change tires.

Again my thought process is all specuation, but working in accounting and with contracts these kinds of clauses tend to be quite common.

[JKMax]

That topless FC looks like the most practical overlanding truck there. Great safari vehicle and trip support truck. Would love to see Jeep turn it from concept into production vehicle.