Jeep Gladiator 4-Door Pickup "Truck" Coming in 2013
Last September in Orlando, Jeep CEO Michael Manley, set Jeep forums and internet chat rooms ablaze by hinting that a Jeep pickup truck was coming in the future. No one knew what the tuck was or where it came from… Until now.
By hinting we mean, Manley concluded a speech to Jeep deal group by saying, ” “You never know what might show up in your showroom someday” and coolly exited the stage as the stunned audience glimpsed a yellow Jeep concept through sheer curtains.
Speculation was set aflame by the fact that no one got more a fleeting glance of the truck. There were no images of video footoage taken. Was it based on the Nukizer M715 Jeep released that year in Moab? Perhaps a take off of the J8 Egyptian Military Spec Jeep, the 2005 Gladiator Concept, or something new all together? The Jeep design team certainly didn’t know. They were busy sketching concepts of the redesigned Wrangler due out in 2012. The guys in charge of the Ram Truck division offered a hearty, “Hell, no!” when asked about the possibility of production.
Automotive News and other news sites were quick to debunk the production of a Jeep based truck; calling it all hype. Ram certainly wasn’t happen about a the possibility of it’s sister brand cannibalizing their sales. Let’s face it Michael Manley never said the Jeep was headed for production when he walked off the stage. But what no one counted on was the fact that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was behind the idea.
The Jeep is none other than the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept with a new yellow job covering the original Armour Green. After crisscrossing the states for media blitzes and auto shows in 2005 the concept was retired to the Walter p. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. After disappearing from display for a few short weeks it is now sitting back behind the velvet rope sporting its new bright yellow paint.
The 2013 Gladiator will most likely be a cross between the 2005 concept and the Nukizer M715. It will be powered by the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, 280 horsepower (209 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm, that sits under the hood of the 2011 Grand Cherokee, and will power all Jeep Wrangler in 2012. The bed will be shortened to 5ft too add two more feet to the passenger compartment, but will use a tailgate extender (like the Ford Explorer Sport) to accommodate larger objects.
Like the current Wrangler the new Jeep truck will be built in Toledo and will sit atop a front Dana 30 and rear Dana 44 axles, and be mated with a new Fiat transmission. The word is the Jeep is consider using the Gladiator name or reviving the Scrambler moniker.
Photo Credit: Yellow Jeep (USA Today)
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26 Comments
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…Is the Jeep Gladiator Concept Pickup going to get the nod from Chrysler Jeep or will the prototype be just another model in a fairly long list of never produced concept Jeep ideas? What does it take to get Jeep to approve consumer available production of this concept Gladiator?Granted every automaker has come up with concept ideas prototypes that never reach production…some for good reason ..while others are uncertain.
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What the jeesh are they thinking with that Dana 30 up Front, should be both 44′s if its gonna be a tough truck.
I jump around the net on a daily basis looking for info on compact trucks that may go to production. I’m sure I read something recently (March 2011) that Jeep dropped the above stated idea in favor of having MOPAR provide a truck conversion kit for the Jeep Unlimited that is based on the 80′s Jeep Scrambler CJ-8. That’s great for Tuners and Motorheads but I need to have it manufactured and dealership supported. Hope the above info in article is on the money. Going crazy here with the silly promo teasing. Need to start making real plans for purchase in 1 year.
Dean, we have a follow-up article with images that will be posted this week. Jeep is planning on testing the waters of the Jeep truck market with a kit to debuted at this year’s Easter Jeep Safari.
Jeep really needs to quit screwing around and BUILD this vehicle. In the same tradition as the Wrangler, make it unstoppable, no whimpy aluminum engine or flimsy axles. The kit idea is silly, who is going to be able to afford and have all the knowledge and equiptment to “convert” their JK into a truck. Guys, just build the darn thing! We’ll buy ‘em!
It’s about time that Jeep did what America does best – build one fine long lasting tough S.O.Bitching truck. I’m tired of seeing these street cruisers that won’t carry a piece of plywood, and Heaven help the owner that gets a scratch in that paint. Our nation has become soft, thank goodness Jeep hasn’t!!
Nice article and the most detail I have heard on the subject since last September. 2013 works for me!!!!
Well, I have been in love with this concept since I had the privilege of seeing the photos. I currently own a 2009 Jeep Wrangler, and I am planning on paying her off as much as possible. With that, 2013 works for me and so does a Detonator Yellow Gladiator!
Jeep Gladiator is the right vehicle for a daily commute. Yes it is better than wrangler, rightly designed and efficient
Hey, Niki. Yes , you are right. Jeep manufactures efficient and performance oriented vehicles.
Lets see the greatest machines built in america were during ww2. P-51 mustang rifles b-17 JEEP. Why dont they grow balls….and just build the thing? are there no real men anymore?
I saw one of the new jeeps driving around in Alaska a week ago (july 24, 2011)
And I want one. I did not even know, with the economy the way it is, that they were still planning on it.
I about broke my neck trying to get a good look at it. It was the turnigan arm road up the cook inliet outside of anchorage
It’s time to build this truck.
We baby boomers are looking for an off-roader with creature comforts. That’s where the money is. The hardcore nuts can still do mod’s if they wish but that is a very small percentage of the market. The been there and done that’s want to get to the back country and back again and lug a little gear and maybe a grandkid or two. I like the concept as is do not shorten the box. Remember the target market now have grown children and they are not rushing out to have kids of their own so the full size 4 door cab will fade. I do like the comment requiring 44′s front and back. A 30 in front creates a weak spot.
Waiting to buy one.
GC
A 4-door pickup trunk is a great idea, and the pictures that you have posted in this blog provides an initial idea about how it looks.Thanks…
i really need this truck im tired of seeing wranglers. jeep needs more trucks on the road. if you made it a true four door on this gladiator that would make it awesome.
As a past CJ-8 (Scrambler) owner I’ve been waiting for Jeep, or Dodge, to come out with something similar that will turn the heads of those young girls, and moms as well, like the Scrambler did 27+ years ago. Come on guys, what are you waiting for, have we ever let you down in the past? I think the popularity of the Wrangler speaks for itself and a truck version of it will too. Bring it on!
3 questions:
1: what is the towing capacity ?
2 What is the size and capacity of the bed ?
3 What are the towed parameters ?
when I learn tese answers and they fit my parameters , I will be first in line
This is why i got interested in Jeeps,I may be looking to buy a new vehichle soon.If they release this soon, i’ll wait and buy. If not,then i’ll look somewhere’s else. Sorry Jeep, i cant wait forever for you to make an obvious choice.
I’m with you. Why are they so insecure about releasing a pick up truck? Is it the communications technology that intimidates them? Have the other makers beaten them to exclusivity? I need to turn in my lease last week of February 2012 but I’ve lost hope for a Gladiator. If they are so easily scared, may be it is the name that has them stolled–should they name it Kitty? Ibis
Been waiting a while for this, but, pickup truck sales are driven by contractors and contractors only buy trucks that can be written off as business-use vehicles according to Section 179 of the tax code. My understanding of that section is that a pickup must have a six foot bed to qualify for the deduction. The vehicle you describe has a five foot bed which would make it a non-starter in the construction industry. As a contractor, I just can’t concieve of buying a truck for my business that didn’t qualify as a business investment under the section 179 guidelines. If I’m right, the Gladiator you describe would be built to fail. Hope you’re wrong!
Jeep has done it again. I have a Jeep SRT8 for on road driving, cant wait to purchase the Jeep Gladiator for off roading and during small projects. I like the 2 door extended cab with the longer bed better than the 4 door model if the bed is going to be smaller in this design. Make them both… You go Jeep! Keep up the good work!!!
I agree with the contractor comment. What made the ford rsnger so sucessful is they went with a half cab instead of a mini crew. This satisfied the contractor/ construction crowd. If everyone wanted a four door vehicle that could haul anything, they’d be crying for a Wagoneer concept;)
Great idea of a Jeep truck but if Jeep is planning a diesel in 2013 please offer it in the Jeep truck and put the 44s on front and back and and an 8 speed tranny. Wow, nothing could match this monster and I am here waiting with my cash.