In 2005, Jeep unveiled the Wrangler based Gladiator pickup (pictured here) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Unfortunately, the Chrysler brand was in financial turmoil at the time and unable to ready the concept for production. Now, though, Jeep’s top bosses are mulling over the possibility of reinventing the Gladiator for the future lineup.
In a recent interview with Car Advice, Jeep President Mike Manley let slip that a decision was coming “pretty soon” about the possibility of a production read Jeep branded pickup.
As we saw with the Gladiator concept, the production spec pickup would be based on the future Wrangler platform. With this set Wrangler platform, Manley said that they could run into some problems regarding two- and four-door variants.
“One of the issues is that when you go four-door with a bed is that your break-over angle gets destroyed. We can still maintain approach and departure angles, but when we get to a certain length, the break-over becomes an issue.”
With a refreshed lineup expected for the 2015-2016 model year, we could see the pickup make its way into production then.
In the meantime, Wrangler owners can also take a look at Jeep’s JK-8 pickup truck conversion kit that’s available for $5,499, not including the work you will have to put in to it.
By Jeff Perez
PHOTO GALLERY
