As the overland aftermarket has grown, a clear distinction has emerged between consumer-facing accessory companies and tier 1 component manufacturers supplying original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). What may seem like two different kinds of oranges is actually a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon. Tier one suppliers are held to the highest standards of crash testing, weight management, corrosion resistance, safety, and system integration. Even the uninitiated can see the difference between a white-labeled bumper on Amazon and products designed to last the life of the vehicle. One of the leaders in Tier 1 components is American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), which is redefining quality and performance in the overland segment.
Key AEV FXL Components:
- AEV 4” DualSport Suspension
The dual-purpose suspension system was developed by AEV’s OEM-level suspension engineers, featuring AEV-tuned Bilstein® shocks, custom-rate coil springs, and optimized geometry. The suspension system preserves or enhances OEM capability, ride quality, handling, payload, and towing capacity. - AEV Stamped Steel Front Bumper
3/16” and 1/4” stamped steel construction enables complex form with OEM-level fit and finish, featuring a standard winch mount that accommodates up to a 20k winch, integrated ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) radar placement, and chassis-mounted recovery points rated to meet or exceed OE standards. The front bumper is also compatible with Ford F-450 and F-550 models. The modular design allows for the addition of a heavy-duty brush guard available in Q3 2026. - AEV High Clearance Rear Bumper
High clearance design with integrated corner protection and chassis-mounted recovery points for real-world recovery and towing scenarios. - AEV HighMark Fender Flares
These oversized AEV fender flares allow for a 40-inch tire fitment with less lift, while maintaining a lower center of gravity and overall vehicle balance. Made from cross-linked polyethylene, these flares are virtually indestructible. - 18” AEV Katmai DualSport Wheels
Part of AEV’s DualSport wheel family, Katmai wheels are beadlock-capable for severe-duty use, with the flexibility to run the beadlock ring or operate as a conventional wheel depending on the application. Designed for heavy loads and real-world abuse, they are tested to exceed load ratings required for HD trucks while maintaining OE-style fitment and serviceability. - 40-inch BFGoodrich HD-Terrain Tires
BFGoodrich developed this tire to support heavy loads and improve traction and durability. It offers improved cut and chip resistance and comes in larger sizes, like the 40s used on the FXL.
AEV is often credited with pioneering the full-size overland truck segment with vehicles such as the Ram PXL, the GMC AT4x, and the Chevrolet Bison. These heavy-duty trucks solve the payload problem for travelers looking to install a GoFast Camper buildout or a slide-in overland camper solution. This experience is a perfect pairing with the Ford chassis, which offers excellent drivetrain solutions, a factory rear locker, or even the Godzilla gas motor for travel in countries without ultra-low sulfur diesel. I have already started daydreaming about what my FXL build might look like, starting with a regular bag, an eight-foot bed F350 diesel, and adding a tray bed, and, and, and. What an exciting time to build a full-size overland vehicle.
AEV FXL Website | Pricing varies by component and package
