This text is an adaptation of an article originally published in Motortrend.com, written by Sean P. Holman and Jered Korfhage, published April 14, 2020.
The first thing you think when you see a RAM 2500/3500 with Prospector XL kit from American Expedition Vehicles It's just that it's a life-size version of your favorite toy truck from your childhood. There is something about the visual proportions that are so out of our “ordinary” that you may not even believe it is real, or even possible to drive on streets, highways and cities.
The RAM Prospector XL's appearance stands out for its huge tires - but which do not appear disproportionate. The look is almost factory, except for those tires; “How did they manage to fit them in there?” – you might think. It could be “the truck of the apocalypse” (in the rear view mirror of your Prius), or, the truck you always dreamed of driving.
AEV (American Expedition Vehicles, an American company founded in 1997 and based in Detroit, the motorsport capital of the world), has a well-earned reputation for meticulous OE-level engineering. “ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT”, or, read “Factory Quality Standards” and high quality, and the Prospector XL continues this trend.
Based on the new RAM Heavy Duty 2500 or 3500 body style in either single rear wheel cab configuration, with the Cummins 6.7L I-6 turbo diesel engine, or eventually the 6.4L Hemi V-8 gasoline engine, the Prospector XL is the ultimate full-size shipping machine.
[Note: In Brazil, only the Diesel double cabin version is sold, and with a single rear wheel, that is, non-double/Dually versions. All 2500/3500 2019+ are compatible.]
“XL” does not mean “XtraLarge” (Extra Large), although it could. It's actually the Roman numerals for “40”: the inch size of the tires that give the RAM Prospector XL its firm, secure stance. Although the Prospector looks huge — and it is — The pickup is much more than just a raised suspension and big tires. The rest of the conversion to the Prospector XL is subtle but significant. AEV applies its usual attention to detail and transforms an “ordinary” RAM Heavy Duty 2500/3500 into something resembling the biggest Jeep you can imagine on a trail.
Adapted in Michigan at the AEV factory and sold through a network of certified RAM dealers throughout the United States – and in Brazil, by STRIKE BRASIL -, the Prospector XL kit comes with a full three-year or 36.000-mile warranty.
For those who prefer to assemble piece by piece gradually, individual parts have been available through AEV or parts dealers since late 2020.
We recently met up with AEV in California, where we had the opportunity to not only check out the RAM 2500 to Prospector XL conversion in person, but also get behind the wheel on the highway and on the trail.
What's impressive about the AEV kit transformation is the level of engineering detail required to transform a Ram Heavy Duty into a Prospector XL.
To install 40-inch tires, the pickup needs to undergo two significant modifications:
The first is a suspension lift AEV DualSport RT® (surprisingly “small” looking at the final result) of 3 inches -or, approximately 7,5cm-, which provides a low center of gravity and pivot point, giving the Prospector XL a stock-like ride and exceptional handling.
The magic is so much in the adjustment of the Bilstein XP8100 large-piston monotube shock absorbers specific to AEV®, as well as the fact that the conversion increases the wheelbase by moving the front axle 1,5 inches forward. This positions the 40″ large diameter tires further away from the firewall, giving the 40-inch tires room to articulate on the trail or to complete full turns.
The second part of that equation is AEV's Highmark fenders, which significantly open up the wheel wells. Although installation requires cutting into the sheet metal, AEV supplies everything to give the truck a factory look, including integrated LED lights and new fender liners.
The second part of this equation: the AEV “Highmark” fender flares, which significantly increase the size of the wheel arches. Although installation requires cutting into the sheet metal, AEV provides everything to give the truck a factory -“OE”- appearance., including front and rear LED marker lights integrated into the flares, and new inner fender/wheelbox linings.
In addition to the suspension, other standard equipment on the “Standard” Prospector of relocating the front camera and also parking sensors and fog lights, and a stamped cover plate for those who do not wish to install a winch on the bumper.
The AEV rear bumper balances the look at the rear - also with tow points, and the entire relocation package of sensors, lights and hitches -, while the 40″X13.5″R17LT tires mounted on 17×10-inch AEV “Katla” wheels, along with the AEV emblem - in our case, in Brazil, also from STK Expedition Vehicles), complete the transformation. [For your information, the full cost of converting a 2500+ RAM 3500/2019 into a Prospector XL in Brazil, carried out by STRIKE BRASIL, in the space dedicated to STK Expedition Vehicles in Campo Grande/MS, starts at around U$34.000,00, or approximately R$175.000,00, including the 5 tires and labor for the conversion.]
From then on, AEV (USA) – or STK Expedition Vehicles, in Brazil – offers a Endless options to customize the conversion of your RAM to Prospector XL exactly the way you imagine. The test truck built for SEMA 2019 that we spent time with had virtually every option checked and installed.
Starting with an AEV “Top Breaker” top (replacing the previously mentioned “accessory top tube”), Warn 16.5ti heavy-duty winch, and four of the incredible new AEV 7-inch, 9000 lumens each front LED auxiliary lights, all the way to the AEV bed-rack load support and vertical support for a spare tire in the bed, this truck is packed with accessories.
Other options selected in this XL makeover included the rear bumper LED lighting package, AMP Research Power steps (available for RAM versions that don't come with factory retractable running boards), AEV leather upholstery upgrade, an AEV snorkel with “AIR RAM” pre-filter, and the FULL AEV style adhesive package. Some accessories such as retractable or folding hoods were not included in our test due to the AEV “Bed Rack” load support.
Speaking of details, AEV provides the conversion with rear fenders, LED light covers, and a front license plate mounting kit for those who live in more restrictive states that require these items to be road legal [In the USA].
A RAM 2500/3500 conversion into an AEV Prospector XL fully loaded with all accessory options will cost around US$55.000, or approximately R$280.000,00 more than the factory truck.
[Reference with dollar at R$5,12, and values already updated for prices in Brazil with 5 tires and all installation included at STRIKE BRASIL/STK Expedition Vehicles, in Campo Grande/MS]
This is not a superficial design that just appears robust; This is a fully engineered conversion with factory capability. Not only does it maintain the expected factory towing and payload capacity to surprise, but it also focuses on enhancing off-road capability to the extreme.
Unlike the midsize truck category, there's no worry about reaching the payload limit with a roof tent and camp kitchen with the PXL. If it fits, go. AEV's Prospector XL conversions have been tested around the world in extremely remote locations and unforgiving terrain, and the new version will continue to carry that flame.
After our visit to familiarize ourselves with the RAM Prospector XL, AEV handed us the keys and we immediately headed ashore. While most “PXL” projects use 40-inch tires, our test RAM, built for SEMA, was equipped with even larger tires, 41×14.50R17LT Interco Super Swamper IROK. Our brief off-road test consisted of some dirt roads, steep climbs, side obstacles and generally bad terrain that challenged the more than 30 centimeters of ground clearance of the Prospector XL.
When off-road, the Prospector XL passed obstacles measuring 12 to 14 inches as if they were simple speed bumps.. Despite having no lockouts on this particular truck, the factory brake traction control worked exceptionally well with the big IROKs tires to keep the RAM moving, even with only three, or sometimes two, wheels to work with. It didn't matter where we pointed the Prospector, it just went.
Even with 41-inch tires, the Prospector XL adjusted and accommodated these huge tires, and at no point did we have any friction issues. This is truly incredible considering the conservative lift height, showing how well thought out the suspension system is along the fenders..
The big 2,65-inch piston Bilstein shocks had no problem controlling all that weight, whether the truck was crawling over obstacles at low speeds or going over bumps at high speeds. The truth is that the RAM Prospector XL was comfortable and easy to drive on the trail.
You must be thinking: “I already imagined that PXL would do well on earth”; just like us, and that's exactly what happens. But that's not the main point of this pickup. The most important part of the subject belongs to the “ON-ROAD” experience.
With the commanding view of the road and the audible hum of the IROKs [the normal 40″ tires that come with the kit have a lower noise profile that will hardly be noticed], the Prospector XL behaves incredibly close to the original RAM on the road. In fact, it can offer a better ride than the original on all, not just rougher surfaces.
Thanks to the low center of gravity and rollover, the Prospector tire on a RAM or other pickup trucks, would require such a large suspension lift that the good driving characteristics and comfort of an original pickup would often be lost.
This is usually a disadvantage that people are willing to accept at face value. This is NOT the case with the Prospector XL. Use it on a high-speed highway or highway, drive to your farm on a bumpy, winding dirt road, or use it every day to get to work.
Wherever you need to go, the Prospector XL will get you there in comfort and style, without any depreciation in the driving experience compared to a stock RAM. During our testing, we didn't notice any creaking or rattling, sometimes a characteristic of lower quality products.
Wherever you need to go, the RAM Prospector XL will get you there in comfort and style, without any reduction in the driving experience compared to a stock RAM. During our test, we didn't notice any squeaking or rattling noises – sometimes a characteristic of lower quality products.
All of this left us wondering: what exactly is the downside to this? What usability sacrifices are you really making by owning this truck?
In fact, almost none. You may need to avoid narrower trails and avoid parking pillars (even though the kit raises the total height of the RAM by just 15cm) but what you lose in convenience is more than made up for by have a vehicle that can go anywhere at any time.
There was a time when 40-inch tires were only found on show trucks and buggies without fenders. Who would have thought we would see the day when they would be installed on a factory 4×4 pickup with a full body and just 3 inches of suspension lift?
What's even more surprising is that everything about the Prospector XL that came from RAM works as designed, with no inaccurate gauges, dashboard check lights, or traction control issues. Everything that has been modified as part of the conversion is there for a purpose, adding capability without compromising the integrity of the initial vehicle..
We've rarely been so impressed with a factory design, but AEV got almost everything right in the Prospector XL transformation. If you've ever wanted a new full-size pickup truck with a full warranty and unparalleled capability that speaks to your inner 10-year-old, look no further than you can now have a RAM AEV Prospector XL. You deserve.
Article written and originally published in English by Motortrend®, translated and adapted for the Brazilian market by the STRIKE BRASIL team.
STRIKE BRASIL is now converting RAMs into Prospector XLs, an adventure machine for Brazilian enthusiasts looking to explore the limits of nature - or the city - with style and confidence. For more information or to customize your own RAM with the Prospector XL Kit, visit the official STK® Expedition Vehicles website at www.strikebrasil.com.br/aev.
