American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to Show Production-Ready Jeep "Brute" Pickup Conversion at SEMA 2006

Legendary Jeep aftermarket supplier American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has great news for Jeep Wrangler lovers who like to trick out their Jeeps for the street or off-road. The AEV Brute pickup conversion, first shown in prototype form at the 2002 SEMA show, is now a fully-engineered, production-ready kit that Jeep tinkerers can purchase for their own home Brute conversion. The ruggedly styled Brute will turn heads and win hearts as it reasserts a place for the American compact pickup market.

Missoula, Montana (PRWEB) October 31, 2006 -- A new Jeep pickup conversion kit called "Brute" will likely shake up the compact pickup market and satisfy dedicated Jeep lovers with a rough-and-ready, street-worthy and off-road demon rarely seen on American roads for years.

Missoula-based American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), working in close affiliation with longtime supplier Quality Metalcraft (QMC) of Livonia, Michigan, will unveil an all-new Jeep Brute conversion kit at the Las Vegas SEMA show in November, 2006.

The kit is production-ready and will fit all Jeep Wrangler TJ models built from 1997 to 2006. AEV has become legend in the aftermarket for its popular aftermarket parts for Jeep, and the eye-popping Brute is sure to draw attention on the street and off-road.

"The Jeep Brute is the common man's Hummer," an AEV spokesman said. "Every red-blooded male, and quite a few females, will say, 'I want one.'"

While American pickups have trended to larger sizes and more luxurious details, the AEV Jeep Brute conversion presents consumers with a compact, rugged alternative that stresses performance and attitude while preserving the highest Jeep TJ standards.

Demand for the TJ Brute kits is expected to be high. AEV will begin accepting deposits immediately and plans to start shipping kits in 8 weeks. Orders and further questions can be directed to AEV's Kent Klein (phone: 406.251.2100; Web: www.aev-conversions.com).

In addition to kits that will allow Jeep fans to build their own Brute, AEV is currently developing a Detroit-based facility that will do the work for them. The new facility will ship everything from base-model, turn-key Brute conversions to Brutes with a wider range of options, including the popular AEV Hemi conversion, a Hi-Line Fender and Hood kit with XL flares to accommodate a larger wheel tire combination, and a number of other AEV innovations.

AEV founder Dave Harriton, who has been called "the Carroll Shelby of Jeeps," first introduced the Brute as a concept vehicle in 2002. Working closely with DaimlerChrysler engineers, as well as QMC, Harriton had all Brute parts, materials, and finishes engineered and validated to rigorous OEM production standards.

QMC can now mass-produce Brute kits for AEV to meet consumer demand. Kits will include everything needed for the Brute conversion. Prices will be announced at this year's SEMA and are expected to run between $8K to $10K per kit.

In addition to the Brute, AEV will show several new aftermarket products for the new 2007 Wrangler (JK) at this year's SEMA, including:

• A formed-steel front bumper with integrated winch-mount and skid plate
• 3-dimensional formed-steel rear corner guards
• Newly-styled AEV wheels that will also fit Jeep Commander (XK) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK).
• Wheels will be conventional or with a bead-lock application for off-road performance; finish options include chrome, silver, or argent
• A JK Brute conversion is in the works and should be available soon

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