Wrangler Pickup Confirmed for '17

I believe there is a market for the small truck, and I REALLY hope the new Jeep truck is a small (maybe wrangler based) version. I love the Tacoma, but I'd look at a Jeep if it was small. Here's what I want:

-SMALL
-Simple, rugged
-Simple, reliable
-2 speed transfer case
-fairly inexpensive

Here is why I think there is a market for this: Certain fleet vehicles, industrial and agricultural applications, work trucks, niche daily driver, and the off road community. Will it sell a million a year? No. But there are many vehicles out there that are profitable is smaller markets. To me, there is a vacuum in the market and a vehicle like this can really fill a void. My dream is that Toyota would do it... but right now the best hope may be this Jeep or a return of the Ranger.

 

neither do crew cab GMs nor Rams nor Tundras. Your point?

 

I will own one and fulfill my dream of dding a Jeep on 37s. Will wait a year or two though considering I just got my Ram.

 

I wonder what you might mean by "small" but I think the Wrangler Truck will be around the same size as the Gen 3 Tacoma. The cab is already the same size.

I don't think they'll make a single cab truck, just the crew cab style so they can deal with the more recent government regulations that say a vehicle needs to get at least x MPG per passenger that is pushing all trucks to be at least extended, if not crew cab.

There will be a decent market just from the existing Wrangler fan-base, but also from anyone wanting an alternative to the Tacoma/Colorado truck space in the US.

 

yes

 

I really really really love the jeep concepts this year

 

That concept made me balk at pursuing a new DCSB this year, and even second guess the TRD Pro for 2017. I won't make any truck buying decision until the Wrangler Truck reveal which can't come soon enough. Sadly I think there won't be anything to see for at least another 6 months, but probably closer to a year. I read somewhere recently (and forget where now) that the Truck plan is possibly pushed back to 2018. I'll have to go searching.

 

I can see a Wrangler based (or smaller) extend cab / 2-door with a 6' or less bed being what I'd consider "small." Jeep has felt a pick-up would cut into its other models' sales, but apparently they now believe they can pull enough truck owners into a new model. I think they can, if they differentiate the product against what is out there... which means a smaller utility truck. If they simply come out with a Tacoma clone, then good luck to them.

 

All it really has to have for me to be happy is a solid front axle and either a ecodiesel/hemi option. They wouldn't be able to build them fast enough. And really, the engine isn't really a deal breaker for me

 

I don't have high expectations about an eco-diesel, though there are indications of some sort of diesel coming along in 2018-ish.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/next-gen-jeep-wrangler-to-get-diesel-hybrid-powertrains/

I don't expect them to ever sell a Jeep Wrangler with a Hemi.

The other part that's going to be dodgy is the suspension... they'll likely stay with the shock/spring suspension instead of leaf springs which will make the payload less than ideal. This will be a "lifestyle truck" more than a workhorse.

(These are all just my semi-educated predictions, I've been following Jeeps for a long while and the more recent truck trends since they were hinted last fall.)

 

I'm good with Springs. I have them on my Ram and they are great.

 

I didn't realize the Ram had springs, I'm glad to hear it... I'll have to read up more on their performance then. (c:

Edit: Adding a link for anyone that cares to compare.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/suspension-brakes/154-1204-leaf-springs-vs-multi-link-suspension/

I suppose I'll just need to drive it to see what I think, but I imagine a coil suspension is probably fine for my needs. I sure hope they don't take too long showing us what they plan to do.

 

I'm just really hoping there is a Rubicon version. Oh man, I can't wait.