Jeep Wrangler JK8 Independence Arrives at Mopar Dealers
Billed as Mopar’s answer for the call for a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck, the JK8 Independence conversion kit goes on sell this week as dealerships. The kit priced at $5,499, enables owners to transform their Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck.
• Priced at $5,499, the Mopar® JK-8 Kit enables owners to transform their Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup
• Kit now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships
• Dealership or skilled do-it-yourselfers may do the installation
• Major components of the Mopar JK-8 kit include steel bed, inner and outer bedsides, sport bar extensions, Freedom panel assemblies, fiberglass hardtop and bulkhead
• Kit shipped in JK-8 and Mopar-stamped wooden crate (85.25-inch by 62.25-inch by 30-inch), instructions included
Auburn Hills, Mich. — Jeep enthusiasts now have the opportunity to transform their four-door Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck. The kit will fit all 2007-2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds (the four door model) as well as the upcoming 2011-2012 models. By calling this kit the answer to the Jeep pickup Chrysler is ruling out production of a Jeep pickup until at least the 2014 model year. Mopar currently has 1,000 of the kits slatted for manufacturing.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Mopar JK-8 kit is $5,499. The kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is now available for ordering through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships. The warranty covers kit materials and workmanship performed at a Chrysler Group dealership.
“Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are some of our most accessorized vehicles,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO, Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “New Jeep Wrangler owners typically spend more than $500 on Mopar accessories. For Jeep Wrangler Unlimited owners, our new Mopar JK-8 kit answers the call for even more radical customization. And it’s yet another example of how Mopar will continue to support our brands with innovative features.”
Mopar first revealed its JK-8 kit at this year’s Moab Jeep Safari. The kit takes cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s. Major components include a spacious 44-inch by 50-inch steel bed, inner and outer bedsides constructed from stamped sheet metal, sport bar extensions, Freedom Panel assemblies, a removable fiberglass hardtop with a sliding rear window, two fixed side windows and a fiberglass bulkhead.
Staying true to the Jeep brand, the JK-8 kit offers Jeep Wrangler Unlimited capability in the form of a mini pickup. In addition, the top may be completely removed for an open-air experience.
A special badge is featured on the left rear quarter panel of each kit, celebrating the heritage of the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8, along with design implementations that were adopted from original J-8 military Jeep pickups.
For ease of purchase, the kit is available as a single part number (77070049) with all hardware and body panels included. The kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership.
Conversion Process:
Two processes are involved in the conversion from a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a two-door pickup truck: disassembly and reassembly.
In disassembly, each rear door is removed. Next, the rear-bumper assembly, hard top and Freedom Panels are removed, followed by the rear portion of the interior, which includes seats and carpeting. Exterior trim parts are removed and preserved; inner and outer body panels are removed by drilling out the spot welds, which allows the panels to fall away and avoids having to cut into the sheet metal. The rear sport bar is cut away and removed along with B-pillars.
Reassembly into a two-door pickup truck begins with installation of the B-pillars, cross member, floor-pan assembly (truck bed), and the inner and outer quarter panels (welding is involved in assembly). Next to be installed is the bulkhead reinforcement assembly and sport bar extensions, and finally the installation of the fiberglass bulkhead itself. The kit, with components delivered e-coated, is then prepped for paint. Windows are installed to the hard top, which is then installed on the vehicle. Exterior trim parts are then reinstalled.
Following is information regarding some of the main components included in the Mopar JK-8 kit.
Mopar JK-8 Body Weld Kit Complete (All parts are sold together in one complete kit)
Freedom Panels: Fiberglass panels over front seats.
Hardtop: Made from fiberglass, the hard top may be removed and features a sliding rear window.
Bulkhead: The bulkhead for the kit is made of fiberglass and separates the cab from the bed of the truck, and permanently attaches to the vehicle.
Bed: The spacious 44-inch by 50-inch bed features strong steel construction.
Inner/Outer Bed Panels: Bed panels are stamped sheet metal and provide durability and functionality.
Sport Bar Extensions: New sport bar extensions replace the rear portion of the sport bar that is removed for the conversion. These bars complement the structure of the vehicle.
Watch a time lapsed build of the JK8 performed by the Mopar team at the recent Easter Jeep Safari in Moab:
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2 Comments
This thing will fall apart on the first outing…..Oh my God. Is this the only thing our tax dollars got us? a bolt on kit? good luck selling that people
Mopar also offer a kit with a weld in bulk head. I understand the need for both kits, to appeal to the weekend warrior (bolt-in) as well as the more hardcore off-roaders (weld-on).