Jeep pickup is for reals

[haven]

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/jeep-pickup-wagoneer-grand-wagoneer-investment-confirmed/

FCA president Sergio Marchione confirmed that Jeep will build a pickup version of the Wrangler. He also said Jeep will build an XXL version of the Grand Cherokee to compete with Range Rover in the $100K market.

Still uncertain is when the pickup will be introduced. Jeep plans to convert the Toledo assembly line that currently builds the Cherokee over to building the new Wrangler. THis will allow production to continue on the old Wrangler while the new line is prepared. Once the new line is cranking out the new model, the original line will be shut down and converted to produce the new model.

I don't expect the pickup to be added to production until both lines are converted, so maybe 2019?

 

[Dan Grec]

The major question now is will there be a 2 door AND a 4 door version of the pickup.

-Dan

 

[Bobzdar]

According to an article I read, production of the JL will start in October 2017 on the current Cherokee line (they start conversion of it in March), JT (truck) will start Nov 2018. They will produce the JK and JL concurrently until end of Apr 2018 (JK called Wrangler Classic during this time), then convert the JK line to JT. I believe this was information from the UAW. JL orders starting in August or September for 2018 MY, JT orders starting the following fall for 2019 MY. Expect JL next week at Detroit auto show (not sure if they'll show the truck yet or not).

 

[AggieOE]

The major question now is will there be a 2 door AND a 4 door version of the pickup.

-Dan

That and which kid you'll have to give up to afford one. Your same question though will also apply to the upcoming Bronco...

Either way, the offroad, adventure oriented buyer should be getting pretty happy if not a little overwhelmed with so many good options on the horizon.

 

[Comanche Scott]

That and which kid you'll have to give up to afford one. Your same question though will also apply to the upcoming Bronco...

Either way, the offroad, adventure oriented buyer should be getting pretty happy if not a little overwhelmed with so many good options on the horizon.

Trade in the kids, and I'd only need a 2 door... :victory:

 

[shortbus4x4]

Jeep pick up in the four door flavor with Rubicon topping please. Still not holding my breath until I actually see them in the dealers lot.

 

[AgentOrange76]

I would be on my knees begging for a 2 door, but it doesn't matter because I have no kids to sell to buy it.....

 

[Dan Grec]

Expect JL next week at Detroit auto show (not sure if they'll show the truck yet or not).

Unfortunately not. Jeep have told the media it won't be released there.

(A friend is an editor of a Jeep magazine, I heard it from him )

-Dan

 

[NatersXJ6]

Why?

Hmmm... There will probably be some secret police coming to drag my Jeep away for saying this... But why a pickup? I just don't see the appeal. There are many good pickups in the market, for all sorts of different duties, from hauling light loads, mall crawling if you will, to actually getting work done. I've never looked at my Jeep and thought... Wow! That tiny rear space would be so much better if only 1/2 the top was off and I could spray Line X in it. I have looked at my pickup and thought I should use it to drag the Jeep to a decent jumping off point for a trip.

I suspect that to make a Wrangler into a pickup they will have to kill many of the attributes that make a Wrangler what it is. The end product will be something different with a slotted grille and round headlights. It feels to me like this has been tried before and failed, when is the last time you saw an Explorer Sport Trac? I'm sure it will sell big in the first year or two, but I would be surprised to see that continue into year 4 or 5.

Just my $0.02 and dissenting opinion... I'm putting on my FR suit now...

 

[Bobzdar]

Hmmm... There will probably be some secret police coming to drag my Jeep away for saying this... But why a pickup? I just don't see the appeal. There are many good pickups in the market, for all sorts of different duties, from hauling light loads, mall crawling if you will, to actually getting work done. I've never looked at my Jeep and thought... Wow! That tiny rear space would be so much better if only 1/2 the top was off and I could spray Line X in it. I have looked at my pickup and thought I should use it to drag the Jeep to a decent jumping off point for a trip.

I suspect that to make a Wrangler into a pickup they will have to kill many of the attributes that make a Wrangler what it is. The end product will be something different with a slotted grille and round headlights. It feels to me like this has been tried before and failed, when is the last time you saw an Explorer Sport Trac? I'm sure it will sell big in the first year or two, but I would be surprised to see that continue into year 4 or 5.

Just my $0.02 and dissenting opinion... I'm putting on my FR suit now...

I can't speak for others, but I have both a Wrangler and a pickup - a pickup is a necessity for me, a Jeep really isn't, it's more of a toy/farm implement (I drag trees around with it on my property). But, if I could get a Wrangler pickup I'd have both and wouldn't need 2 vehicles. I need to be able to tow a little over 5k lbs, be able to haul stuff to and from the dump, go to the hardware store for lumber etc. and I like to go off-roading/overlanding. I also have 2 kids, so a 4 door Wrangler that could tow a little over 5k lbs, do some light pickup work and be able to do decent off-road would be ideal. If they hadn't gimped the Colorado zr2 tow rating I'd be looking closely at that, but unfortunately they did with that cushy suspension and the lockers aren't available on the z71 that has the 7000lbs tow rating. Given a v6 Grand Cherokee can tow 6200lbs, I don't see why a Jeep pickup couldn't do within 1000lbs of that and a locker equipped Rubicon truck would be my ideal vehicle. If it gets 20+mpg (diesel? v6 GC gets 23, so it should be close) instead of the 16mpg both the Wrangler and truck get, I could get rid of my current DD car as well and replace 3 vehicles.

If the 4 door Wrangler could tow 5k lbs, I'd have one now and will consider getting the JL if it can as I can get a small utility trailer for the times I need a truck bed. However, just having a truck version would suit my needs better so that's why I'm hoping for one that can do some real truck work. I don't need full size capability (which can almost all tow 10klbs with close to 1500lbs payload), but I do need some light truck capability.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

The bed on it looks rather ugly. Why don't they build it like the concept? I would go for that.

 

[Dan Grec]

But why a pickup? I just don't see the appeal. There are many good pickups in the market, for all sorts of different duties, from hauling light loads, mall crawling if you will, to actually getting work done. ..

When you see what's on offer in the rest of the world, it's obvious North America lacks a good "little" pickup. Like the Ranger used to be, or that little thing from Mazda you see getting around sometimes.

The Colorado, and I guess now the Ranger (and the Jeep) I think are all signs that the automakers have decided there is again enough demand for such a thing, so they are making it.

For example, an F150 is completely absurd in Australia, where "little" pickups like the Hilux rain supreme.

I personally think little pickups will do really well in North America.

Will the JP be as capable as the Wrangler? maybe not, but given it will have a bed, in some ways it will be more versatile, and I'm willing to bet my bottom dollar it will be more capable offroad than an F150

-Dan

 

[AggieOE]

Hmmm... There will probably be some secret police coming to drag my Jeep away for saying this... But why a pickup? I just don't see the appeal. There are many good pickups in the market, for all sorts of different duties, from hauling light loads, mall crawling if you will, to actually getting work done. I've never looked at my Jeep and thought... Wow! That tiny rear space would be so much better if only 1/2 the top was off and I could spray Line X in it. I have looked at my pickup and thought I should use it to drag the Jeep to a decent jumping off point for a trip.

I suspect that to make a Wrangler into a pickup they will have to kill many of the attributes that make a Wrangler what it is. The end product will be something different with a slotted grille and round headlights. It feels to me like this has been tried before and failed, when is the last time you saw an Explorer Sport Trac? I'm sure it will sell big in the first year or two, but I would be surprised to see that continue into year 4 or 5.

Just my $0.02 and dissenting opinion... I'm putting on my FR suit now...

It'd be much longer than the current JK. Not like how the H2 Hummer was to the H2T. Think more like the H3 to the H3T. Imagine something along the size of a Tacoma but looks like a Wrangler, acts like a Wrangler, is a Wrangler. I'd love to have a a 2-dr JK for fun, 4-dr JK for family, and a 4-dr JL for firewood, a boat, lumber, anything.

 

[AggieOE]

The bed on it looks rather ugly. Why don't they build it like the concept? I would go for that.

I think that's a Ram 1500 bed.. just as a temporary cover.

 

[kayadog]

The one with the ugly bed is a test mule. I have heard it will have a lot in common with the 4 door Brute. I have also heard there will be a 2 door.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=80297&d=1325614250

I don't really need a pickup. I love my Jk Umlimited but the back of my Jeep is nasty from wet wetsuits and smelly mountain bike and fishing equipment and dinged up from hauling small loads of rocks and firewood. A pickup bed would just work better for me, especially if it was a little bigger than the current cargo area. I also am planning to buy and trailer a small boat so 5000lbs. towing would be nice. A Tacoma, Colorado, it Ranger would work for me but I like taking the top off and my kids love driving in the Jeep.

I'll be looking for a new vehicle right about when they come out, but I fear they will be fully loaded top dollar rigs, at least at first. I'm looking for hand cranked windows, manual locks, etc.


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