400 orders placed for Wrangler pickup conversion kits

haven

Expedition Leader
Wards Automotive reports that Chrysler has received 400 orders for the Wrangler JK-8 Independence kit, the set of fiberglass and steel panels that can be used to convert a four door Wrangler into a sort of pickup. The kit costs about $5500 before labor to assemble it. A Chrysler spokesperson reiterated that Jeep will look closely at producing a pickup when the next generation Wrangler is built. That should be no sooner than the 2015 model year.

http://wardsauto.com/home/1212em_mopar_jeep/
 

Metcalf

Expedition Leader
The problem is that jeep is currently selling every wrangler is can produce already....they don't really NEED to offer more interesting options.
 
Jeep has been predictable with platform changes over the past few models. YJ +/- 10 years, TJ +/- 10 years Jk +/- ?



Jeep isn't building vehicles people want? Dealers are selling JK's faster than Jeep can build them. You should change your statement to "Chrysler isn't building a Jeep I want".
 
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Frank

Explorer
No, people long for a diesel Wrangler. The sad part is, THEY ALREADY BUILD THEM! yeah, maybe we should rephrase that. AMERICA wants a diesel Wrangler.
 

The Swiss

Expedition Leader
I wont hold my breath, Jeep is yet to build and sell anything that people actually want to buy.
Strongly disagree with you. Jeep has been Chrysler's strongest asset for years; this would not have been the case if they would have built vehicles nobody wanted. XJ, ZJ, WJ, KJ, YJ, TJ and now the JK were selling very well. Plus, with Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has again a real car guy calling the shots, a guy like Lee Iaccoca, or Bob Lutz, not a been counter.

The problem is that jeep is currently selling every wrangler is can produce already....they don't really NEED to offer more interesting options.
Right. And still they made the changes to the interior in 2011 and other refinements, and made now the pick-up kit.

no, the diesel JK. The community has only been begging for centuries now.
Blame more the government and EPA than Chrysler for this. Plus, Jeep was the only 4x4 manufacturer who did bring diesels to the US, in the KJ and the WK.

Jeep isn't building vehicles people want? Dealers are selling JK's faster than Jeep can build them. You should change your statement to "Chrysler isn't building a Jeep I want".
Well said

No, people long for a diesel Wrangler. The sad part is, THEY ALREADY BUILD THEM! yeah, maybe we should rephrase that. AMERICA wants a diesel Wrangler.
And then people and America would complain that their Wrangler has an engine requiring fuel which is nearly 25% more expensive and just returns 15% better fuel consumption. Don't forget: the popularity of diesel vehicles in the rest of the world is mainly due to diesel fuel being considerably cheaper than gas.

Yes, I'm sure there are people in the US who would like a diesel in a Wrangler for various reasons. But I doubt that with the current price gap between gas and diesel, more than 5% would pay a premium for a diesel engine. I like diesels; most of my vehicles in Europe were diesels. I drove my friends diesel Wrangler in Switzerland and the torque from 1,220 rpm on is nice. If however today in the US I would have the choice between the Pentastar gas engine and the diesel, I would pick the Pentastar, with very little hesitation.

Going back to the original topic of this post: 400 kits sold is more than what I would have expected. I hope this will help adding a Wrangler pick-op to the line up in the future.
 
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Dan Grec

Expedition Leader
Blame more the government and EPA than Chrysler for this.
The 3.0 turbo diesel from VM/Motori has passed EPA testing and is confirmed for the 2013 GC.
If Jeep wants to put it in the Wrangler, nothing is stopping them.

And then people and America would complain that their Wrangler has an engine requiring fuel which is nearly 25% more expensive and just returns 15% better fuel consumption.

Many reviews of the 2.8 diesel wrangler show it gets almost double the mileage of the old 3.8 gas engine.
The 3.0 should be even better.

-Dan
 

X-plorenow

Adventurer
I think the offroad crowd,and specifically overlanders are yelling for a diesel. I want one for sure. But I don't think the general market is calling for them. I think the smelly, noisy stigma of the 80's Mercedes is still around. And stated above the higher price tag of diesel isn't helping. I see the market more leaning towards hybrids than diesel's.

And beside that, It isn't slowing Jeep. The JK saved Jeep, and Jeep has saved Chrysler.

Let's be honest, they have sold 400 kits so far, while good, this is not the economic market where any car maker is going to stick their neck out on a radical change.
 

The Swiss

Expedition Leader
The 3.0 turbo diesel from VM/Motori has passed EPA testing and is confirmed for the 2013 GC.
If Jeep wants to put it in the Wrangler, nothing is stopping them.

Many reviews of the 2.8 diesel wrangler show it gets almost double the mileage of the old 3.8 gas engine.
The 3.0 should be even better.

-Dan

The 3.0 yes, but the 2.8 of the Wrangler does not. The 2.8 gets observed 22 - 24 mpg, my old 3.8 V6 got over 64kmls about 18 mpg, my new 3.6 appears to do about 1 to 1.5 mpg better, but I have only had her for abour 3kmls; too soon to tell.
 

mikeg1713

Adventurer
Jeep wants a diesel but Chrysler isn't letting them. I've sold 2 built full factory warranty JK-8's. We build them in house at my dealer, Adams Jeep of Maryland in Aberdeen. Their cool. But way to much money for me!
 

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