Thinking Poison Spyder now. I just wish they had a fuel carrying option. Looks like a Rotopax ratchet strap set up is what I'll have to do.[/QUOTE]

I just picked up the AEV bumper and tire carrier. I agree that the water storage in the bumper is a head scratcher. I used to do a lot of self contained hiking trips and carried a ceramic filter and never had issues finding water, that being said i figure never to drink the water directly from this bumper. i was told by another local jeeper who has it, that he uses for cooking water in a pinch and just having water to wash off stuff. I guess this could be more helpful in dry climates.

I wanted to mention that AEV has a 10 gallon fuel tank for the tire carrier now. It's a custom tank that fits inside the spare. it's hard to notice in their marketing shots.

I almost went PSC too, but the AEV integrated operation to the stock gate clinched it for me..
cheers & ridelots.

 

I ordered the Expedition One rear bumper from David at Northridge and had it in less than a week.

 

Holy Cow! $300! It's just plastic...

 

They probably had one in-stock. I called them and they told me the same time as my buddy who is an E1 dealer, about six weeks.

 

To add further to how badly designed this bumper tire carrier is, there is a mast that sticks up above the tire to add a brake light, cb antenna or backup light, whatever...it's off center of the tire. I got the tire carrier on last night and the first thing my wife says when she sees it is that it's crooked. I ask what she meant and she pointed it out "the pole that sticks up isnt' in the center...oh and it doesn't look like the tire sits in the center of the jeep either". The icing on the cake is when she says "why didn't you spend a little more and get a good bumper?"...so maybe I just pull this thing off and sell it. I'm so glad that I didn't go with AEV for a lift now. If things were so poorly thoughtout with the bumper/tire carrier, at least it couldnt affect handling or safety!

 

All the posts I have read about AEV stuff is how great it is. All these issues are confusing. I have read where the tire carrier is not centered due to having access to the door handle or something like that. I wouldn't use the mast for a light or anything so that not being centered wouldn't bother me.

I read how there bumper finish lasts longer than other mfg for people in the snow belt regions too.

Kinda wish they made a version with water tanks and one without though.

 

This guys rear tire looks to be centered
http://forum.aev-conversions.com/sho...t=1538&page=14

This guys is to the right
http://forum.aev-conversions.com/sho...?t=1538&page=4


What am I missing?

 

It looks like the second picture was taken at a different angle than the first. Just my two cents!

 

Nope,

I just read that thread. You have to somehow fabricate your own bracket to move the tire to the center. That is why that one is centered. He did that.

I wonder how you do that...

 

i just installed the AEV bumper with tire carrier and fuel caddy. I ordered it monday at lunch and had it next day by lunch which is great shipping if you ask me. The install was easy but time consuming. I felt that the instructions were very easy to understand, and install was about the same as any other bumper.

I am very impressed with the quality of this bumper, compared to the Rugged Ridge bumper i had, the quality cant be compared. There was no adjustment needed either, i followed the instructions and there were no rattles at all, and the door opens easily.