February 9, 2018
After years of planning, the Jeep Scrambler, a Wrangler-based pickup truck will begin production between November of 2018 and April of 2019. Much like its Wrangler predecessors, the Scrambler will come with an optional soft top that can be removed or lowered. This makes the Scrambler a convertible vehicle.
After making its debut in November of 2017 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the versatile Jeep Scrambler will be built on the same line that currently produces the JK Wrangler at the FCA Toledo Assembly Complex.
It is expected that the Scrambler will have several similarities with the Crew Chief 715 when it comes to style. While the grill will keep its traditional Wrangler look. However, this endeavor also came with its fair share of growing pains. Due to new roof crush safety regulations, the roof supports had to be redesigned.
Thanks to the numerous spy images that were taken near the FCA plant in Auburn Hills, MI being passed around, it is believed that the testing phase for the new Jeep pickup truck has been well underway for several months. Experts familiar with the Jeep’s design say that there will not be many surprises when it comes to the design of this new Wrangler utilitarian vehicle. It is also suspected that the Jeep Scrambler will feature a V6 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine that is similar to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 Pentastar gasoline engines.
Although only rumored to be named the Scrambler, this Jeep pickup truck will be the first convertible pickup to come to market since 1989. The short-lived Dodge Dakota convertible was available from 1989 to 1991 but only 4,000 of these trucks were ever produced. The Scrambler is also rumored to be based on the 2018 all-new Wrangler Unlimited, complete with the option for a hard top and removable roof panels.
Consumers and Jeep enthusiasts are still in the dark as to what this vehicle will look like behind that cab as Jeep has kept the details under lock and key. Keeping up with current trends, many expect that Jeep will craft this vehicle mostly out of aluminum in order to save weight and reduce fuel consumption.
An optional soft top for the Scrambler will allow consumers to further customize their Jeep to fit their needs. The soft top gives the pickup truck a rugged yet sporty style. At about 3-feet longer than a typical SUV, this Jeep vehicle is expected to have four-doors and a short bed. The mid-sized vehicle is anticipated to compete with the likes of the Chevy Colorado, the Toyota Tacoma, and the new Ford Ranger.
Jeep’s 75-year tradition of crafting vehicles that can go anywhere will undoubtedly continue on with the Jeep Scrambler.