Opinions Wanted

[712edf]

Outbred

Looks like someone bred a newer Ford with a J10! While I'm here, to me the 09 Rams look just like a 59 Chrysler in front, which isn't that bad. Also at a traffic light I got to see the rear of a 09 Ram next to the rear of a 02-08 Ram. Newer truck looked way smaller.

Bucky

[W_A_Watson_II]

The rest of the body looks good, but something about the grill/front end design isn't right. I think it would be better with a version of the Commander grill.

[Gsmith]

I like it overall, I love the J10! The back fenderline to me looks too non Dodge or non Jeep though.

[Desoto61]

The exercise is to make a low cost, utility truck with few options, that won't directly compete against Dodge, but use enough off the shelf parts to be cost effective.

I guess I'm not sure why put this on the Jeep brand vs just offer it under the Dodge Ram line as an option pack then.

There is already a Jeep Truck Kit in the form of the J-8 and the Brute. However they are expensive in limited numbers and not sold directly through Jeep.

Right but with the longer 4-door wrangler platform I'd think it wouldn't be too hard to modify the body setup to offer a similar factory deal. Some of the sales are going to be Jeep people but I think it would have a better chance of bringing in new buyers than another full-size truck.

We're trying to show that a Jeep Truck is viable enough to sell 30-35,000 units per year.
Since a vehicle or vehicle platform must sell 100,000 units per year to be profitable, a Jeep Truck that can also be built on the existing Ram line (or the Wrangler line for that matter) is the only realistic shot of building a Jeep Truck.

Agreed, I just think the Wrangler line is a better place, the truck market has shrunk enough I'm not sure who this is supposed to attract.

A one-off, stand alone Jeep Truck would cost about 2 billion and not see a ROI that works in todays world.
...Now maybe in your case a Willys retro built upon the Wrangler platform might work, but would they sell enough to make it worthwhile?
As much as I would like to see that Willys retro, you have to remember that todays federal mandates would make that truck as big and as bloated as the current Dodge. The Willys would never meet crash and other standards, which border upon bizare....

I didn't mean a whole new platform, I just thought if they were going to lift a grill style from an old jeep they'd be better off going with something that looked like the Willys than something that looked like the J10.

[MoparNorm]

Looks like someone bred a newer Ford with a J10! While I'm here, to me the 09 Rams look just like a 59 Chrysler in front, which isn't that bad. Also at a traffic light I got to see the rear of a 09 Ram next to the rear of a 02-08 Ram. Newer truck looked way smaller.

Bucky

Interesting, a few of us from the CAB have commented that it is "fordlike", however the sheet metal silhouette is inch per inch, 2009 Ram. We think the ford look comes from the ride height vs. width.
Also interesting that the 09 Ram is dimensionally larger inside than the 02-08.

[MoparNorm]

I guess I'm not sure why put this on the Jeep brand vs just offer it under the Dodge Ram line as an option pack then.

Primarily because there are a lot of Jeep buyers that are not Dodge buyers and do not associate Jeep ability with the Ram.
Frankly, outside of the new Power Wagon, 1500 Dodge 4x4's are too low, have an IFS front axle, have too much front and rear overhang and that new nose is too bulbous and tall for good approach angle and "crest-over", driver vision.
An affordable Jeep Truck might strike a cord with those buyers.
There would be the small light Cummins diesel as the only engine option, no carpet, but a base, wash-out, spartan truck that would be better suited for work and play.

Right but with the longer 4-door wrangler platform I'd think it wouldn't be too hard to modify the body setup to offer a similar factory deal. Some of the sales are going to be Jeep people but I think it would have a better chance of bringing in new buyers than another full-size truck.

It is extremely costly to certify a vehicle these days and former Jeep executives did not feel that there was enough of a market. Frankly I think that they are wrong, but right now there is new management that is looking at everything and the opportunity may exist if enough customer pressure is felt.
Go to the Chrysler Group website, click on "We Listen" and tell them you want a Jeep Truck based upon the Wrangler or what ever you want. If they get enough feedback, maybe they will consider it. Remember that a new vehicle takes about 5 years to create from concept to assembly line production. Re-skinning a Ram with a few Power Wagon, off the shelf parts cuts that time and the associated costs considerably.

[QuantumJo]

Just wondering...

Is the image of the truck a photo of a mock-up or a computer generated image?

[rickt4498]

spartan Jeep pickup

after reading all the above posts...and NORM'S clarifications...

a lot of good points brought forth...

the grille is TOO TOOTHY making it look out of proportion

a single seat washable rubber floored truck would be great IF you made it deep enough for us long legged AMERICANS, my 34" inseam legs need to fit...give the seat adjuster a longer track with some room behind the seat

small diesel would be GREAT...

a REAL WORK truck with a GOOD CD radio and a BRIGHT cop car style domelight and I'd be happy

[712edf]

That is a Dodge Truck that you're looking at, the only items changed, are the hood, fender skins, outer door skins and bed side skin. All the rest, including core support, body sub-framing and frame, drivetrain and platform points are unchanged. To design a truck from the ground up would be a non-starter for both cost and return on investment (ROI).

I'm not big on two vehicles being the same on the inside (mechanical) and different on the outside (looks). I understand the need for that type of thing (money wise) but feel that is one of the things that killed the US auto industry. Lincoln/Ford/Mercury did it,GM did it, Chryco did it. If two brands can't be different throughout, eliminate one. Otherwise its the same as what's out there in the riding lawn mower market: 50 makes/models powered by 1 of 3 or 4 engines.

Just my $.02

Bucky

[greg rider]

I think it would sell easier as a Jeep if it had more Jeep recognition to it,so, I think I agree with others and say that a Wrangler version would be better. People would know right away that it was a real Jeep. Make the frame a tad longer and make a cab that utilizes Wrangler parts, doors, seats, front clip, etc. They could even use some of the rear body parts, side panels, rear panels, gate, etc. It would not have to be a heavy hauler or huge bed capacity.

[MoparNorm]

I'd really like to see a Jeep Wrangler version too.

However the goal of this exercise is to make as little changes as possible to the PW, to create a distinct product, and to fill a niche that is currently unfilled, ie: a short, rugged truck, capable with off-road capabilities that has cargo and towing abilities.
Wrangler doesn't have the towing or payload ability unless you use the J8 base which has not been certified for use in the USA.

[MoparNorm]

...

the grille is TOO TOOTHY making it look out of proportion

How about the Wagoneer grill wihtout the 7 toothy slots?....= )

[Desoto61]

I like that better, though the headlights look dated now. I also think it sells better as a regular cab. Jeep off-road capability is a little hard to believe in a 27-foot long crew-cab. It should have some more aggressive tires too.

[712edf]

new jeep truck

Be sure the passenger side automatic door lock mechanism breaks within the first year, as per every cherokee we've had. Woundn't want to NOT have to reach over & unlock the door for my mom so she can enter and critize my driving.

Bucky

[W_A_Watson_II]

With the taller chrome at the top middle of the grill it needs to have a shape carried down to make it look right. With both options shown, it looks like a bad grill gob on a truck that had a different shaped front end.