9 Jeep Pickups from Over the Years
There have been rumors of a new Wrangler pickup truck coming with the next generation, but then there are always rumors of a new Jeep pickup. Let's look back on some of the trucks that make people wish for another one.
1. 1946-64 Willys Jeep Truck
The Willys Jeep pickup truck was produced from 1946 to 1964, and more than 200,000 were made. But the vast majority lead hard lives on the farm or ranch, and these days you hardly ever see them on the road. This 1952 Willys is from Pennsylvania, where is was rescued from a barn and give new life thanks to Chevy S10 running gear. Originally offered with the same Go-Devil engine as the CJ, they later got the 4 cylinder Hurricane engine, then the straight 6 Super Hurricane, and OHC Tornado 6. You can read all about them here.
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2. 1956-65 Jeep Forward Control
From 1956 to 1965 there was an awkward-looking truck called Jeep Forward Control, aka Jeep FC. This Jeep was front heavy, it rode roughly, and it looked awkward; however, underneath was the same rugged platform that was battle tested in the original CJ series, and eventually more than 30,000 were made. By moving the passengers forward, over the front wheels, a normal sized truck bed could be fitted into a tiny wheelbase, for excellent maneuverability. The Jeep FC was tough and it can take serious abuse, as it was designed as a work truck for towing, hauling, and even military use. Don't overlook this little ugly beast if you need a haul stuff, it knows how to work hard. You can read more about the FC trucks and vans here.
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3. 1962-88 Jeep Gladiator J10/J20
When Jeep introduced the larger Wagoneer in 1962, they produced a full sized pickup truck to go along with it called the Gladiator. Available in both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton ratings, with a step side bed or smooth bed sides that matched the Wagoneer, this was one good looking truck. But make no mistake, under the skin it was all Jeep, and perfectly suited to hard use where the roads end. After 1971 the name Gladiator was dropped, but with only minor updates it continued along until 1988. You can read all about these trucks here.
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4. 1967-69 Jeep M715 and M725
The Jeep M715 and M725 are military versions of the Jeep Gladiator, with a very utilitarian step side bed. This Jeep truck was only produced from 1967 to 1969, because the military found the 6-cylinder engine wasn't very reliable, and in war, breaking down isn't good strategy. Compared to the civilian version Jeep made these heaver duty with a 1 1/4 ton rating, or 5/4, and used them as ambulances, troop carriers, and cargo trucks, often with a fold down canvas top. Oddly enough, in Korea, Kia still makes a version of the M175 for their own military to use. You can read more about them here.
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5. 1966-73 Jeepster Commando Pickup
This Jeep was produced from 1966 to 1973, in an attempt to make a softer, more passenger friendly version of the tough CJ line. Not only did this Jeepster Commander look great, it was also the only convertible pickup truck offered at the time, which is one of many reasons it remains loved for decades after. Power came from the Hurricane 4 cylinder, which was reliable if slow, or the Dauntless V-6 borrowed from Buick, or later the AMC straight six or 304 V8. You can learn more about these stylish little trucks here.
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6. 1981-86 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
With small 4x4 trucks from Toyota, Datsun and others eating into Jeep sales, AMC once again wanted a pickup truck, so they stretched the current CJ-7 to produce the CJ-8 Scrambler in 1981. With a 10 inch wheelbase increase, plus the additional rear overhang, the Scrambler had a respectable 61" long bed. Power was from the Pontiac 4 cylinder or the AMC straight 6, but fuel economy was nowhere near what the Japanese trucks offered. Fewer than 30,000 were made over the years, but Ronald Reagan loved his. More on these trucks can be found here.
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7. 1985-92 Jeep Comanche
You may have seen this one around, but the compact Cherokee based Comanche is still a rare Jeep to find these days. Building this truck was not as easy as back when the Gladiator was carved out of the original Wagoneer, because the Cherokee was a unibody design the needed revisions to become a real truck. The result was a popular and attractive truck that gained many fans, but was doomed when Chrysler bought AMC because they already had both the Dakota and the Mitsubishi D50 trucks on the market. In a very un-Jeep-like way, they also raced these in SCCA road racing and won the championship! Read up on the compact Comanche here.
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8. 2007-16 Jeep Wrangler Conversion Kits
This is a modern version of the Jeep Wrangler pickup, thanks to a factory kit called the JK-8. When the kit went out of production, several other companies started selling similar products like the GR8 Tops JKUte, the Teraflix Action Truck, and the ultimate, the AEV Conversions Brute Double Cab. Considering the kit nature of these conversions, all of them are very well done. The Brute Double Cab basically required a body shop to weld in a rear panel to the stock Jeep body, then drops a composite bed onto the frame.
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9. 2016 Jeep Comanche Concept
Perhaps the most interesting Jeep pickup to come along in years was the Comanche concept shown at last year's Easter Safari in Moab. Based on the compact, Fiat engineered, Renegade platform, the mini truck was stretched and a M175 like step side bed was fabricated, then a not available in the US turbo diesel motor was added for maximum torque. Currently there are no plant to offer it for sale, but there would certainly be some active sports, outdoorsy types who would love to buy a fuel efficient, east to park truck for mountain bikes and such. Here's the low down on this little trucklet.
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