American Exploration Vehicles, or “AEV” as we’ve come to know them, have kindly invited us to drive one of their newest creations. Dubbed the FXL, this project aims to add the AEV treatment to Fords Superduty trucks. Our test drive included both on and off-road testing in some of Southern California’s boldest environments.
Not Your Average Conversion
AEV is committed to building industry-leading components. That phrase gets thrown around quite a bit, but once you start to understand the lengths AEV goes through to make it happen, it becomes clear, they really do offer some of the best available solutions. Things like bumpers with integration of a winch and lights aren’t particularly groundbreaking. The fact that such a bumper uses stamped steel, and can retain the truck’s factory sensors and radar all wrapped up in a product that is meant to be as minimal as possible and avoid damage from obstacles purely with clever design definitely sets AEV apart from the aftermarket crowd.
Remember, this is the same AEV that does the GMC Canyon AEV Edition, a truck you can buy with AEV equipment from the factory. The FXL might not come directly from the factory, but it is Ford endorsed, and all you have to do is ask your dealer if they are an authorized AEV dealer. It’s a bit like how Mercedes’ AMG division used to be a separate entity, but still had close ties. That’s what AEV is doing, but with American off-roaders.
An Off-Roader That Impresses On-Road
The team at AEV has paid particular attention on getting the recipe right with the FXL. That means being good off-road wouldn’t be enough. It has to drive like a normal truck for those times when not crossing harsh terrain. Many drivers will want a heavy duty truck like this to tow with, and AEV is committed to retaining the rugged towing capability of Ford’s Super Duty.
At first I was confused as to why we were taking a massive Super Duty away from the fun of off-roading on a private 300-acre ranch to the “boring” highway. This was until I realized the FXL has unbelievably great manners on-road, a characteristic I wasn’t expecting. So often we jump into modified trucks where any on-road compliance is thrown out the window. Not the case here. AEV was dead-set on getting the ride right while maintaining drivability. Mission accomplished, because I immediately felt comfortable driving the FXL on road at the same speeds I would a stock-equipped vehicle.
That being said, I did enjoy the effortless feel of the FXL off-road, too. Whether plowing through soft dirt, steep inclines, river crossings, or just about any other terrain, the AEV Ford FXL seems to deal with obstacles drama-free.
What You Get
The list of standard equipment includes that trick front bumper mentioned earlier. Along with that, you’ll find the rear bumper gets similar heavy duty treatment, a four inch higher ride height thanks to an AEV suspension system with Bilstein remote reservoir shocks, and 40-inch BF Goodrich HD Terrain tires wrapped around AEV beadlock-capable wheels. Finally, a set of ultra-tough AEV high mark fender flares made of the material as some of the strongest kayaks rounds out the list of standard equipment.
“Purists” might note that these flares aren’t shaped like your standard-issue Ford round units, but AEV is quick to point out that even Ford has a colorful history of trucks with squared-off fenders. I think, especially for the Super Duty, this shape makes sense. Of course, you also get the non-functional upgrades too, like the side graphic and factory-looking AEV badging. They even go through the trouble of re-printing the safety labels located inside the driver side door panel, something workshops legally have to abide by. This little detail will make all the difference when your truck leaves the shop with the correct tire pressures.
The interior of the FXL is standard Ford Super Duty, and that’s a positive in my eyes. So often modification companies take things to the extreme with interiors, often losing the plot in the process. AEV sticks to a focused goal, and doesn’t mess with what already works well. Much appreciated.
AEV A-La-Carte
Maybe the full AEV package isn’t suited to everyone’s needs, or you just want a few of the upgrades. This is no problem, as AEV offers a range of available parts directly from the FXL as a-la-carte options. Say you just want the lighting upgrades, or just need a solid bumper with a winch, AEV can provide those parts directly. Keep in mind these are the same over-engineered components found on the factory approved FXL, so there’s no compromise in quality no matter the requirements of your build.