The Brute Double Cab is, quite possibly, the most badass pickup truck built. I know, you’re about to yell something about the Ford F150 Raptor and Ram Power Wagon – right? Well, not only does the Brute Double Cab come standard with the acceptable power of a Pentastar V6, it has provisions for a 5.7 V8 which makes 360 horsepower and 390 lbs-feet of torque. Not enough for you? How about a massive 6.4-liter HEMI v8 good for 470 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque?
Yep, that’s more like it.
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) will take a Current Jeep Wrangler, cut it, stretch it, reinforce it, augment it and deliver it to you for a pretty substantial fee. Combined with the cost of the Jeep from the factory, your price will hover around the $100,000 mark – give or take a few thousand. Still, if you look at the amount of customization, design and fabrication AEV puts into their vehicles – it could be worth the dough.
“For more than 15 years, American Expedition Vehicles has been on the cutting edge of the 4WD industry, constantly pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. Our goal is simple: to provide the highest quality Jeep Wrangler accessories available anywhere in the world, period. We’re not a wheel company making hundreds of different designs or a suspension company making products for twenty different vehicles. Quite simply, AEV is a Jeep Wrangler company.” — AEV-Conversions.com
I pulled many of the specifications from AEV’s page, but keep in mind: there are other, cheaper routes you can explore if you’re looking for a pickup based on a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep JK-8 conversion kit starts at $5,499 – but it’s only a two-door (it starts as a Wrangler Unlimited four-door) and, at this price, you have to assemble it yourself.
The Brute Double Cab is a completely different animal. With a long, 139-inch wheelbase, the Brute Double Cab adds 23-inches to the Wrangler Unlimited’s frame (in front of the rear axle). This creates, not only enough space for a double cab and bed, but enough space to mount a spare tire under the 61-inch bed.
Here are two of AEV’s conversions with the conversion prices:
Starting at $29,999
- 61″ X 60″ Cored Composite Bed
- Stamped Steel Cab Closeout
- Double Cab Hardtop
- Double Cab Rocker Guards
- AEV Double Cab Rear Bumper
- AEV Water Pump Kit
- AEV Under Mount Tire Carrier
- AEV 2.5″ DualSport XT Suspension
- AEV ProCal
- AEV Jack Base
- AEV Badging
- AEV Instrument Cluster
- AEV Logo Headrest
- AEV Serialized Build Plaque
Starting at $39,999
- 61″ X 60″ Cored Composite Bed
- Stamped Steel Cab Closeout
- Double Cab Hardtop
- Double Cab Rocker Guards
- AEV Double Cab Rear Bumper
- AEV Water Pump Kit
- AEV Under Mount Tire Carrier
- AEV 3.5″ DualSport SC Suspension
- AEV ProCal
- AEV Jack Base
- AEV Badging
- AEV Instrument Cluster
- AEV Logo Headrest
- AEV Serialized Build Plaque
- AEV Premium Front Bumper
- IPF 901 Off-Road Lights
- AEV Front Skid Plate
- AEV Winch Mount
- Warn 9.5cti Winch
- AEV Heat Reduction Hood
- AEV 17″ Alloy Wheels
- BFGoodrich 35″ Mud-Terrain Tires
Add the price of a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and some extras and your price will approach that $100,000 mark rapidly. By the way, there is a video that a magazine made for the Brute Double Cab, but I would suggest watching it on mute as it is rather mono-tone and depressed. Watch it with punkrock in the background and you’ll dig the flick.
If the Brute Double Cab is at this year’s 2013 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT – I’ll do my damnedest to get some good footage and entertaining commentary.
Here are the basic specifications for the Brute Double Cab:
| Layout | 4WD 5-Passenger, 4-Door Pickup |
| Base Engine | 3.6L/285-hp/260-ft-lbs DOHC 24-Valve V6 |
| Standard Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| Wheelbase | 139.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 216.0 inches |
| Bed Length x Width | 61 x 60 inches |
| Curb Weight | 5,400 lbs (DC350) |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.5 gal |
| Max Tow Capacity | 3,500 lbs |
| Layout | 4WD 5-Passenger, 4-Door Pickup |
| Base Engine | 3.6L/285-hp/260-ft-lbs DOHC 24-Valve V6 |
| Standard Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| Wheelbase | 139.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 216.0 inches |
| Bed Length x Width | 61 x 60 inches |
| Curb Weight | 5,400 lbs (DC350) |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.5 gal |
| Max Tow Capacity | 3,500 lbs |
Remember: the prices above are for the conversion kits – and that’s before you get creative with power-train and extras.
From what I’ve seen, and from what I hear, AEV is very serious about building only the highest quality components. That, combined with the amazing ability we already know Jeep Wrangler’s possess, might make procuring a Brute Double Cab a worthwhile investment.
Check out some fun video antics with the Jeep Wrangler in the Colorado snow!
If money were no object, the idea of a fire-breathing, 6.4-liter HEMI in a beefed up pickup/expedition vehicle like the Brute Double Cab is highly appealing to me. Now, where do I go to sell vital organs?
