It's been a long time coming for a Jeep truck, but will the highly anticipated Scrambler measure up?
We first got word that a Jeep pickup would be coming back in early 2016 by Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. When it was first announced, Jeep stated that the truck would be available by the end of 2017.
But now, the Scrambler is set to enter production late 2018 or early 2019. Jeep CEO, Mike Manley, provides this reason: "The key thing for me is to make sure the new Wrangler is fully up and running."
Well, it's finally up and running. And now Jeep can turn its focus onto the Scrambler.
Over the last several months, we've been given snippets of what to expect in this new pickup. While Jeep has stayed pretty hush-hush about it all, we've gathered the details of what's been discussed so far.
The Jeep Scrambler is set to be built on the same body-on-frame foundation of the JK Wrangler, and it will share a majority of its parts with the Wrangler Unlimited.
A black 3-piece hardtop, a body-color 3-piece hardtop, and a fold-down canvas soft top are up for grabs. These choices of tops will make the Scrambler a convertible pickup—the only one in the U.S.
The last convertible pickup available in the States was the Dodge Dakota Convertible, which ran from 1989-1991. Only 4,000 models were produced.
While the engine options have yet to be discussed in detail, one has been confirmed: a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel, hopefully hinting at great towing power. It will also feature stop-start technology.
There has been no talk about transmission choices.
If you think the Scrambler name sounds familiar, you'd be right. Jeep actually manufactured a Jeep CJ-based two-door pickup—called the Scrambler—that was on the market from 1981-1986.
Although only 28,000 units were made, the original Scrambler certainly made an impact.
The Scrambler wasn't Jeep's only contribution to the pickup class though. In fact, it steadily produced trucks from 1947 with the Willys-Overland 4x4, to 1992 with the Comanche.
Enthusiasts have been waiting for Jeep's long-overdue reentry into the truck segment, and it's now finally happening.
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