Enthusiasts have been begging Jeep for years to produce a Wrangler-based truck, and according to Jeep CEO Michael Manley, they’re going to have to wait a while longer for the mythical Wrangler truck—that is, if it comes at all. According to Manley, a target date for any Jeep truck would be until at least 2015, when the current Jeep Wrangler is set to be refreshed.
“I am working closely with the product team because I think a pickup would be a great addition and a natural extension of the product line,” Manley said to Automotive News, although he also added that no decision has been made to build one by Chrysler’s leadership.
The Jeep Wrangler received a much-welcomed engine replacement for the 2012 model year. The 3.6-liter V-6 under the Wrangler’s hood makes 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Considering the powertrain options of all the I-4 and V-6 compact trucks in the U.S., those numbers might put any Jeep truck near the top of its class.
A Jeep truck hasn’t been offered since the Comanche, which was discontinued in 1992. For Jeep fans who can’t wait for the company to make a decision about an OEM Wrangler-based truck, there’s always the $5499 JK-8 Independence kit (pictured), which is sold through Chrysler’s Mopar accessories division. After disassembling parts off of a stock Wrangler, various parts are installed by a dealer or by the owners themselves to make the conversion to a Wrangler with a bed. About 300 kits have reportedly been sold thus far.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)
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