 Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conversion Kit? |
The guys over at AllPar.com have done it again with some nice photos of a Jeep pickup based on the 2007 Wrangler. They're calling it a "Scrambler" (which has some history in the Jeep pickup heritage), but for now, it's just a car for this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas.
The vehicle was created by American Expedition Vehicles who has a long history in creating custom Jeep-based vehicles, including the AEV Brute - a Wrangler based pickup truck.
There currently appears to be some confusion (no doubt due to lack of "official" information) about the availabilty of an "official" Jeep pickup. According to AllPar,
Intrigued by what we saw, we dug a little deeper, and it appears we have unearthed a clever program that may finally return a pickup to the Jeep model-range. Set for an introduction at the SEMA show in about a week, this new pickup concept reportedly consists of two variations. Sources familiar with the strategy tell us that DaimlerChrysler hopes to produce these pickups in small volumes at the Viper Plant, using mechanicals from the 2007 Wrangler, while aftermarket kits will also be made available to fit previous-generation Wranglers. We'll have to await the official announcement in about a week to see exactly how the distribution and manufacturing details will be carried out. But a program such as these Jeep pickups, if our information is correct, is the perfect marriage of the SEMA show's current status: It's a major manufacturer future-product announcement with a clever nod to the aftermarket built right in.
While we presume that the '07-based pickups will be sold through Jeep dealerships, we're told that the kits will reportedly be available to transform 1997-2006 Wranglers into the pickups you see here. Sources suggested that the kits will cost about $8,000-$10,000 (assembly not included), and would require lengthening the frame with parts supplied in the kit. The truck we photographed had a wheelbase extended to approximately 119-inches. Whether the modern DCX-built '07-based trucks will differ in its proportions, or will have any unique styling cues is currently unclear, but our insiders tell us that the modern-build and kit versions are very much the same in look and feel.
The article continues with numerous updates regarding if/how/when an offiical Jeep pickup conversion kit will be available. Hopefully we'll all know more after the SEMA show in Vegas next week. Either way, check out the pics over at AllPar's site.
Digg This Story
Save This Page to del.icio.usThe comments are owned by the poster.
We aren't responsible for their content.
You must login or register to post a comment.
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| gianni80 | Posted: 2009/2/6 6:57 Updated: 2009/2/6 6:57 |
Just popping in   Joined: 2009/2/6 From: Posts: 2 |
 Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver...Greetings. Explore my site with quality informations: Utube, facebook privacy
|
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| skywater55 | Posted: 2006/11/6 15:52 Updated: 2006/11/6 15:52 |
Just can't stay away  Joined: 2006/8/28 From: Posts: 85 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... Its great jeep is offering a conversion but at 8-10K im out....it would be nice to be able to order a conversion from the factory
|
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| myhotwheels22981 | Posted: 2006/10/28 5:21 Updated: 2006/10/30 2:03 |
Home away from home  Joined: 2002/3/21 From: Posts: 183 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... I do believe that I said a while back that with the new Wrangler production hierarchy at the newly rebuilt production plant, It would make sense for AEV to set up shop in one of the DCX 'supplier' plants, pull semi-produced Wranglers off the line, and finish the conversion there, instead of shipping a new Wrangler to the middle of the country to tear it apart and do a conversion.
I do hope we will see a HEMI in the Wrangler, or even the 4.0 V-6. By the way, we are Commander owners now, and I can definitely say that JEEP did their homework on this one,,,next stop 2.25" Rocky Road suspension lift. Ok...Its monday morning, 2am...It just hit me.... Here is my conspiracy theory for the day...DCX builds the Jeep pickup on a modified TJ platform, based on the AEV Brute. Pickup trucks are not required to meet as stringent of crash test ratings as, say, a carryall, thereby not necessatating the side air bags that the TJ doesn't have... This would continue aftermarket support and development for the TJ platform, and continue operations of the TJ platform, which like it's predecessors, will probably continue in production outside of the U.S. (HECK, THE CJ-2A IS STILL IN PRODUCTION IN INDIA). |
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| CanJeepYJ | Posted: 2006/10/27 13:03 Updated: 2006/10/27 13:03 |
Just can't stay away  Joined: 2005/7/18 From: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 90 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... All pictures are of TJ. The kit is for that gen only.
Will be shown at SEMA....however, it is the chatter that is interesting. If DCX feels like people love this vehicle....a production kit/Scrambler will be made available. The Gladiator was too long for the current platform, this is what will be around the corner. Take what you can get eh? |
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| Jeepin | Posted: 2006/10/27 10:05 Updated: 2006/10/27 10:05 |
Home away from home Joined: 2005/11/28 From: TX Posts: 187 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... Allpar's info is a bit confusing because it's showing AEV Brute trucks, which in this case are based on TJ's. Both trucks in the Allpar article are sporting AEV's new Highlight front fenders and hood, and the rear bed has been redesigned from the original Brutes that AEV built.
AEV isn't Jeeps "skunkworks", though they might as well be. Jeep actually has their own 'official' Skunkwerks team which I don't believe is part of AEV directly. From what I've heard recently, as a result of all the talk about the Allpar article, is that AEV has been in talks with DCX to actually go into a joint production run on the Brute truck, using the brand new JK. I'm expecting to see a JK Brute (not the Gladiator) unveiled at SEMA. It's also starting to look like AEV might actually be coming out with a Brute retrofit kit. |
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| BigDuke6 | Posted: 2006/10/27 9:11 Updated: 2006/10/27 9:11 |
Just popping in Joined: 2006/1/9 From: Missoula, Montana Posts: 20 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... Since AEV is Jeeps 'skunkworks', ya never know what kind of cool stuff they are gonna come up with. At my local Jeep dealer, they have AEV modified rigs for sale on the lot. If I see any of these crusing around town, I will let y'all know.
|
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| jeepxk | Posted: 2006/10/27 8:40 Updated: 2006/10/27 8:41 |
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Peoria Posts: 148 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... The photos look like a TJ to me.
|
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| RUBICON | Posted: 2006/10/27 8:39 Updated: 2006/10/27 8:39 |
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Chandler, AZ Posts: 357 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... Allpar.com isn't always 100% right.
I truly doubt that Jeep would put an "official" endorsement on any aftermarket conversion kit for a last-generation model. This this would bring them headaches with all kinds of warranty and quality issues. Now, no doubt that Jeep has worked closely with AEV before (AEV designed the prototype pre-2007 Jeep Unlimited) and probably did work with them on the design of this kit. The "official" part probably refers to the second rumored option of the limited production 2007 pickups. I guess I am just not getting my hopes up (already did that with the Gladiator concept). Plus dang it, I just spent a fortune on a new Commander and spent a bunch on upgrading my Cherokee, I can't justify buying a third Jeep already.  |
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| MarkH | Posted: 2006/10/27 8:02 Updated: 2006/10/27 8:02 |
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/20 From: The Great White North Posts: 406 |
Re: Official Jeep 2007 Wrangler Pickup (Scrambler) Conver... The wheel centercaps appear to have the AEV logo --which makes sense if it's a modified AEV Brute (which we've seen before).
There was another company called RoadArmor that was thinking of offering a "Scrambler kit" for converting Wranglers, but it never seemed to come to fruition, other than their one-off. Check here: http://www.roadarmor.com/ra3/summitsut.html |
