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The AEV OutPost II Is Your Dream Off-Road Jeep Wrangler, But You Can’t Have It

Off-roading is a blast, but the terrain can take a toll on your ride. Even the best off-road cars succumb to wear and tear, which is why folks turn to an outfitter like American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). For nearly two decades, the Michigan-based brand has been crafting custom jobs and offering after-market parts to the most hardcore off-roaders and overlanders around the world, specializing in Jeep Wranglers and Ram 1500, 2500HD, and 3500 HD.

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These turnkey adventure-mobiles are certainly drool-worthy, but the project that has really caught our eye is the OutPost II, a concept vehicle by AEV founder and president Dave Harriton.

Picture a Jeep Wrangler. Now add a bunch of sweet off-road gear and accessories — the best wheels, lights, suspension, and so on. Then replace the rear of the vehicle — everything after the driver and passenger seats — with a camper, turning the Wrangle into what is, essentially, a smaller, more badass RV.

The 750-lb custom camper with roof rack was designed to fit two intrepid adults and a dog. Harriton has decked out the Outpost II with an indoor/outdoor kitchen set-up with a steel stove, a 50-liter refrigerator and freezer, an extendable awning, and motion-sensor lighting for outside. The solar panel-covered camper stretches upward thanks to an electric pop-top made of a breathable material (small windows also help with ventilation). In addition to the 265-watt solar panel system, the vehicle comes with a water heater, gasoline-powered air heater, and LED lighting.

Additional features include a spare tire, stability jacks, a rear camera, Maxtrax (in case you get stuck), and room for 22 gallons of water. And of course, the OutPost II boasts wicked AEV parts: front and rear bumpers, a 4.5-inch suspension, Borah Beadlock Wheels, a snorkel with a pre-filter, and, most importantly, a 5.7-liter HEMI engine with an A580 transmission.

Jealous? So are we, because this vehicle is a one-off. For now, AEV has no plans to turn the OutPost into a production vehicle. If you want a similar set-up for your Wrangler, you’ll have to handle the camper portion on your own, but AEV is there for all your off-road needs.

Images courtesy of AEV.

Nicole Raney
Nicole Raney is the former Managing Editor of The Manual. You can also hear her on older episodes of The Manual Podcast, a…
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