American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has celebrated
the end of Jeep Wrangler JK production by building a custom “overlanding
camper” based on the popular off-roader. Billed as a “labor of love,” the
Outpost II is effectively a bookend as the model follows in the footsteps of
the original Output which was introduced in 2006.
Based on the Wrangler Unlimited, the Outpost II has
a familiar design but everything aft of the front doors is unique to the model.
As AEV explained, the wheelbase remains stock but they extended the frame –
behind the rear axle – to create room for the camper and an underbody spare
tire.
The company built a steel “birdcage” to
support the weight of the fiberglass camper which features an electrically
actuated roof with custom hinges inspired by those on the Jeep’s hood. Speaking
of the roof, it has been equipped with an integrated solar panel which provides
electricity for both the camper and the Jeep’s battery.
The roof isn’t the only neat feature about the
camper as the AEV installed a slide-out refrigerator/freezer which is mounted
over a stove. The company decided to make cooking easier to do outside the
vehicle as they admit “interior space is at a premium.”
While the camper isn’t very spacious, it features a
handful of cabinets and an 2032 mm long couch that doubles as a bed.
A number of components are hidden underneath the couch including a 83.2 liter fresh water tank, a water heater, an air compressor and a 13,000
BTU central heater.
Since the camper adds approximately 340 kg of weight to the vehicle, AEV beefed up the suspension by adding a custom rear
sway bar and one of their 4.5-inch JK DualSport suspension systems with high
capacity springs. The model also has Dynatrac ProRock 44 and ProRock 60 axles
with lockers and a big brake kit.
The performance upgrades don’t stop there as the
JK’s 3.6-liter V6 engine has been replaced by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The company
didn’t mention performance specifications, but the engine breathes through an
AEV snorkel and a special air box.
The Outpost II has also been equipped with an AEV
premium front bumper, a Warn Zeon 10.0 winch and 17-inch wheels wrapped in
BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires. Rounding out the highlights are a custom
awning, stability jacks and a motion-sensing LED exterior lighting system.
AEV says the Output II is simply a concept and there
are no plans for production. That’s unfortunate, but AEV CEO Dave Harriton is
using it as his mobile office and he considers it a work in progress as he
still wants to add a sink and an outdoor shower.
