We drove the new Jeep Grand Cherokee at NWAPA Mudfest in October and were throughly impressed. We just wondered what it would be like with a lift kit and few other minor modifications to make it a real "Trail Ready" Jeep. Three weeks later we were cruising the aisles at SEMA when we spotted this silver Grand Cherokee labeled the "Mojave". A little closer inspection and sure enough, it was a brand new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We contacted American Expedition Vehicles, AEV, to find out more about this Jeep.

The Mojave on a test run in the snow

AEV had received the new Jeep only 2 1/2 weeks before the SEMA show. They then worked around the clock to produce the Mohave.

The suspension is the result of a new partnership between AEV and Superlift Suspensions. This is the first product of a new partnership that will result in a line of ultra-high quality high tech Jeep suspensions. Superlift's new head of engineering, Kevin Dill, worked around the clock with AEV to produce this suspension. (Kevin is the designer of the Atlas II transfercase.) The new Superlift/AEV is a 4.5" kit that is designed for 34" tires. At the heart of the kit is new oversized knuckles to provide the correct geometry.

We have not personally driven the Mojave yet but it is said to ride and drive like stock.

"The vehicle really does drive like stock. I feel that the IFS has some inherent advantages on a vehicle of this type and is actually suited better than a straight axle. I know Jeep people cringe at the sound of this, but they need to keep an open mind. This vehicle is much better balanced than the WJ it replaces. " - Dave Harriton, Owner of AEV

The new Superlift/AEV suspension is still in development but they expect to have it complete and available by the end of February. This will include the electronic calibrations necessary with the ESS system found on the Grand Cherokee.

Wheel travel with the new suspension is 100mm in jounce and 125mm in rebound at the front and 122mm in jounce and 102mm in rebound at the rear. Ground clearance is 12" to the bottom of the front diff.

Other features on the Mojave are custom rocker guards made with 1/8" steel and 1/4" reinforcement plates. These guards replace the factory body side moldings and provide more clearance.

AEV winch mount in prototype phase

In the front a custom winch mount was made to hold a Warn XP9500 winch. The mount is all 1/4" plate and has built-in D-ring mounts. The factory cross member was cut out to accommodate the new mount which now doubles as a cross member. Front and rear bumpers are in development that will further compliment the winch mount and add more clearance.

Interior with wood grain removed

The roof rack featured on the Mohave is a prototype unit rolled to the same radius as the roof line and is constructed out of .125" wall tubing. The accessories, wheels, interior and exterior trim, are painted with Standox "Viper Steel Gray" paint. The tires are Goodyear MTR 305-75-R17 (34") mounted on 2005 Laredo wheels. The wheels will late be replaced by new 17" AEV alloy wheels. AEV also plans to replace the hood with a new custom piece.