Meet Sand Ship Discovery II

With unlimited gratitude Patty Upton and Connie Rodman thank American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) for their support with a bespoke 2023 AEV JL370 Wrangler Rubicon equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine and automatic transmission christened “Sand Ship Discovery II” paying homage to the original Sand Ship Discovery.

As part of the AEV upgrades, the JL370 package includes AEV’s 2.5-inch DualSport XP Suspension, EX Front Bumper and skid plate, Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier, Snorkel, 7000 Series Off-Road Lights, Warn Zeon 10-S Winch, and 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 Tires. The typically included 10.2-gallon Fuel Caddy auxiliary fuel tank was removed to stay in compliance with Rebelle Rally rules.

In a nod back to the original Sand Ship Discovery, AEV has created a livery that mimics and pays respect to the original. Starting with a factory Flame Red exterior, AEV added color-matched Salta XR wheels, a color-matched hardtop with AEV Venture Panels, and an AEV-designed graphics package that incorporates personal touches Loren Upton had on the original CJ-5.

Because the JL370 is so well outfitted from the factory, minimal additional modifications were needed, but include a Goose Gear full rear seat delete system and Fridge Mount, a Terra Trip odometer (required by Rebelle Rally), American Adventure Labs MaxTrax Mount, Fire Extinguisher Mount and Paper Towel Holder, and a custom interior spare tire mount for the second spare.