Some of you may remember the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept study for a pickup truck version of the Wrangler, which for many reasons, never came to fruition. But if you happened to like the idea of a light-duty hauler based on the Wrangler, then Jeep may have the answer for you with its new JK-8 Independence package.
The do-it-yourself Mopar kit allows owners to convert a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck with seating for two and a pickup style bed. After the conversion, the bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The package includes all the necessary parts such as the bed floor, inner and outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.
According to Jim Sassorossi, head of Mopar Sales and Marketing, an enthusiast that is very handy and works very fast can do the conversion over a weekend, but for most people, it will take a little longer than that.
The Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence will make its public debut along with five more vehicles at the annual Moab East Safari event, which takes place in Utah from April 16-24.
The specific JK-8 Independance model seen in the video and the photo gallery bellow, takes cues from the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s and is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears, plus a 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit, 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear end of the 4×4.
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