The more Wrangler variants available the better. It would seem to be so easy to turn the Unlimited into a Scrambler. At least build a limited production of maybe 1000 or so to see what kind of demand there would be for it. It's not something that would appeal to me but, build it for those that it would appeal to. Sometimes it seems like the people running Jeep spend too much time thinking instead of just doing. Same thing with the Rescue, just build the damn thing. There are plenty of individuals and commercial buyers to make it profitable. There is one exception to this line of thinking and that is that Treo
thing. DC needs to melt that thing down and pass out powerful enough drugs to
erase that thing from the minds of every Jeep fan on the planet.

I don’t think this is an April’s fool joke as the date on the article is 3-17. There have been some rumors that Jeep was planning on releasing the pickup in 2005 to allow production of the 4 passenger Unlimited to get rolling. Supposedly, the 5 speed manual comes in 2005 also. No word on a Rubicon edition.

Jeep might be clever in releasing the pickup for next year to keep interest in the Unlimited going next year. The pickup is basically the Unlimited just with a different roll cage and removable top.

We have seen mention of this before, but George Murphy, VP of Jeep Global sales was the source used. see:

http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,Jeep.spy?artid=20029&pg=4

So now we have 2 different high level reps within Jeep hinting at the possibility of the SUT. After Camp Jeep 2002, the prototype for the 4 passenger Unlimited and the pickup were shown to various survey groups last year. Most of the time when vehicles get to this stage, they are very close to being made production. This was done with the PT Cruiser convertible, and I saw that at one of these research surveys back last summer, before it hit the auto shows. I was not selected for the Jeep showing, but I heard from some that went, and the vehicles shown were more refined than the ones at Camp Jeep.

Jeeper is correct that the photo shown in the article is the AEV Brute, but at the last SEMA show, the Brute was listed in the media kit as “Jeep Wrangler Scrambler” and the vehicle was part of the Jeep display. Jeep officials stated that Jeep had no plans to build it. See:

http://www.motortrend.com/autoshows/events/112_0307_sema/index1.html

As far as quoting the new Unlimited as a 4 door, I think this was just a slip up. I think she meant 4 passenger. Ironically, I was poking around Jeeps web site searching for Unlimiteds at my local Jeep dealers. They finally are showing up, but ironically, they are listed as 4 doors in the search report.

To amplify on Scrambler Ken's Jeep information I stopped in the local dealership and picked up an Unlimited brochure ( I too am considering building my own Scrambler off an Unlimited ) and the brochure stated the Unlimited follows in the tradition of Jeep's legendary Scrambler. I hope this is a tease that a Scrambler is coming.

I just have to believe that a Scrambler of a Jeep SUT is the vehicle Jeep should build to grow their customer base.

Of course, after seeing the Brute we all assume the Scrambler will look just like it. I bet not. It will need all the upgrades to get it to visually resemble the Brute, and to have the same capabilites. If DC built the Scrambler in a Rubicon version, it would at least be close. DC should just have AEV build the Scrambler to get the capability we all really want.

The Scrambler saga continues.......One report I read was the Scrambler would be the first of the Wrangler replacements. I just wish they would build the darn thing.

I found the very last quote very encouraging. It looks like maybe they are starting to understand that Soccermom stationwagons with AWD and IRS can't be badged as Jeeps. I'm also encouraged that DC wants to expand the Jeep lineup. I'd love to see a PU, a Scrambler, and a Cherokee replacement. They'd better do the latter soon, as the Hummer H3 is taking aim at that segment abondoned by Jeep a few years ago. The H-3 will have 34 inch BFG tires STANDARD, plus lockers, etc. I also hope we can start getting Jeeps with Turbo Diesel as an option, as Regular gas cost $2.21 a gallon here and my Jeep uses lots of the stuff.

Good point Scramblewishes, I forgot about the brochure. I think the brochure you have is the same one that you can download from the Jasper Jeep site. The Unlimited is more like the CJ6, but the brochure mentions the CJ8 (Scrambler) instead. I think this was done because more people remember the Scrambler then the CJ6, but you never know.

As far as assuming a new Jeep Scrambler will be like the Brute, I’ve always mentioned the potential new Scrambler was just the Unlimited with a different roll cage and hard top. The Brute is drastically different. It is much longer and has a separate pickup bed. I must admit, I would rather have the Brute, but my wallet says no.

As much as AEV builds some awesome vehicles, they are a small outfit, and will be lucky to build 50 Brutes a year. AEV has also had issues with building the Brute because of safety problems with the fuel cell. The next fun you have is trying to get insurance on one of these customs vehicles. An SUT based on the Wrangler Unlimited is a far cry from the Brute, but on the other hand, most of us could afford it, and with time, we can build it up to a nice rock crawler. Hey, isn’t building up a Wrangler part of the whole Jeep fun and experience?

Sadly, Jeep passed up on building the Brute. Everything was all set, and Jeep was going to use the old Plymouth Prowler plant for production. Unfortunately, high execs at DCX put a stop to the project.

I guess bottom line, if Jeep is listening, you have some potential customers for the Wrangler Unlimited SUT, so bring it on out!

The article shows a picture of an AEV Brute and calls it a Jeep Scrambler. Why do they say the new Unlimited is a 4 Door? Didn't we see this same article not long ago?

April fools?

I agree with skramblerwishes and hope Jeep just starts building these things. There have also been a couple of other rumors:

1) Jeep is supposed to get a pickup truck built off of the new Dodge Dakota platform, like they are doing for Mitsubishi. I hope this is not true as I dislike the thought of just re-badging vehicles. Personally, let Jeep design and build their own pickup truck.

2) The next generation Wrangler (2007 model) is suppose to have another vehicle built off this new platform. It has not been said if it would be another Jeep. Hints have been it might be the Dodge Power Wagon or a small SUV for the struggling Mitsubishi group.

Another possible hint that Jeep might have plans to build the SUT version of the Wrangler Unlimited is in the Jeep Customer Presentation Guide. Take a look at:

http://www.jasperjeep.com/jeep_unlimited.htm

drill down to the ‘PDF Jeep Unlimited Presentation Guide’.

The Jeep Unlimited is compared to 2 non-Jeeps. The Chevrolet Tracker is a likely choice, but the other vehicle is the Ford Ranger pick-up. Now if you think about it, the Ford Ranger with the step-side pickup box is not much bigger than the Jeep Unlimited SUT. Ok, ok, I know this is a bit of a stretch, but it does seem odd that a Jeep presentation is comparing the Unlimited to a pickup truck.