For years, Jeep fans have clamored for a Wrangler pickup truck, and it seems their wishes might finally be answered. While some aspects of the Wrangler pickup truck are still just rumors, there are other pieces of confirmed information.
Brand Extension
Even though Jeep has showcased pickup trucks using the body of a Wrangler as concept vehicles, the company has only toyed with the idea of releasing a Wrangler pickup truck until now. This extension of the Jeep brand created a big stir when CEO Mike Manley, who admits he’s been a fan of a Wrangler pickup truck, confirmed rumors of the long-awaited release.
Platform
The next-generation Wrangler is on its way, and the Wrangler pickup truck will be built on this body. While Jeep hasn’t released a lot of details about the new Wrangler, we do know it will still have its usual body-on-frame construction and steel frame.
However, there are some rumors that it could have new plastic side panels and an aluminum body to reduce the weight of the vehicle and help with fuel economy. Photographs show a stretched out wheelbase with four doors and a bed that’s around five feet long. While certainly longer than the usual Wrangler, this size isn’t much bigger than a Suburban or a half-ton truck.
Powertrain
Don’t expect any change from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that’s currently in the Wrangler. However, it’s said that Jeep is working on a two-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine nicknamed Hurricane for the next-generation Wrangler. If so, this could also make an appearance in the Wrangler pickup truck. There are also plans to include a diesel engine in the near future, and a hybrid after 2020. Since these engines are still in the works, there’s no way of knowing if they’ll eventually end up in the Wrangler pickup truck.
There should also be a manual and an automatic transmission, however, the current five-speed will probably get replaced with an eight-speed. Of course, four-wheel drive will be available, but since this is a pickup truck, Jeep could also offer rear-wheel drive.
Production
Like the rest of the Wrangler line, Jeep will also build the Wrangler pickup truck in Toledo, Ohio. However, since Jeep sells out of every Wrangler made in the Toledo plant, it might have to move Cherokee production, which is also made in Toledo, to a different plant to make sure there are no shortages of the popular Wrangler and what most likely will be an equally popular Wrangler pickup truck.
Arrival Time and Price
Manley says he expects the Wrangler pickup truck to arrive in late 2017. So far, the company has said nothing to indicate a change in this timetable. Since there’s still a lot we don’t know about the Wrangler pickup truck, coming up with a price at this point is just guesswork. However, industry experts suspect it will start around $25,000 to $30,000.
Confirmation of a Wrangler pickup truck is exciting news for plenty of Jeep enthusiasts. As the company continues to verify more information, expect the buzz to continue to grow.
Image by Michael is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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