I doubt it was the Dakota as the platform was originaly a SFA design. Could have easily been a shortened Ram platform, but I am pretty sure it was a pre-production JKU. Hell it came out in 2005 and I can't remeber what I had for dinner last night, you just may be right.

 

I love the Gladiator because it reminds me of my dads 1951 Willys Truck and looks like a JK. However I love the old school simple looks of the NuKizer. Arrrrrrrrrrgh!! I would love to have either honestly. First one with a HEMI or diesel would win instantly with me. Okay NuKizer wins because of it's brawny looks.

 

Very true, I have never seen them side by side for comparison. Reguardless of which they build I would love to see a solid front axle 1/2ton with a decent tow rating and the ability to hit some moderate trails.

In the end I guess i just really have a hard time seeing the Nukizer produced. Its styling, though awesome, would only appeal to a few. The soft top would never pass any IIHS saftey test, and the overall look and function would be so watered down by EPA/CARB, IIHS, NHSTA regulations that it would be nothing more than a sad shell of what they tease us with.

 

NuKizer Hemi Soft top, with the extended cab as mentioned above and i would seriously consider selling my Wrangler. but that is the ONLY vehicle i would consider it for.

 

Currently driving a 09 Ram crew cab as a DD. I vote for the one that uses the most JKU parts. I'd take either with enough room to put a car seat in the rear!

 

These are actual dimensions of both a JK Unlimited and a Gladiator:

JK Unlimited
Length 173.4
Width 73.9
Wheel Base 116.0

Gladiator
Length 205.0
Width 76.6
Wheel Base 138.4

Trust me, I have seen both up close and side by side - the Gladiator is no JK Unlimited. Likewise, I have seen a Nukizer up close and side by side a JK Unlimited and with the exception of the front clip, leaf springs and truck bed, it's pretty much a JK.

 

I have the '10 Ram Crew Cab when i am not in the JK. I bought it for just the reason you mentioned. Plenty of room for the car seat and it is still a usefull truck. 20mpg on the freeway aint bad either!

 

You learn something new everyday. I wounder why Chrysler in all its glory wont put out a conversion kit or something. Didn't they say the Nukes front clip was one piece (fiberglass)? I am picturing something ala "Brute" for the JKU platform.

 

I hate chrome on a jeep and I dig the soft top so NuKizer all the way.

 

the front clip is carbon fiber and, now that you mention it, i wonder why they don't offer it as a conversion kit.

for whatever it's worth, i would prefer that jeep made a real truck off of something like a ram platform but, if the rumors are true, it will be made off of a JK. and, if that were the case, i would prefer that it looks like a nukizer