Are you pining for a production version of the Jeep Gladiator concept? If so, you'll probably wish you could have a crack at the vehicle above, as well.
Tiger Auto of Japan created a special Wrangler pickup for the Tokyo Auto Gallery, and it looks just fine to us. The boys at Tiger took a standard Jeep TJ, stretched the wheelbase 600mm (23.6 in) and then custom-fabricated the rear cab enclosure and the pickup bed. They documented the whole build in a series of photoessays on their website. (Look for the links labeled "Lung Ra" pickup.)
The result is a very well-finished neo-Scrambler whose overall length matches that of a new Commander. A modest 2" lift, custom convertible top, Recaros, and wheel/tire upgrade add the finishing touches. We're big fans of the old-school embossed Jeep logo on the tailgate, too. This one-off by Tiger is much more appealing than the Scrambler concept shown at the 2005 NADA meeting. The NADA Scrambler was oddly-proportioned and pretty strange-looking.
We'd love for DaimlerChrysler to greenlight a production version of the Gladiator, but in lieu of that, we'd happily take Tiger Auto's Wrangler pickup. It may be the best Scrambler on the road today. Pity there's only one of them.
(Rear shot after the jump)
[Source: Tiger Auto via Response.jp]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JC Whitless @ Aug 2nd 2006 5:47PM
I dig it..better than the 4dr. Would be a cool gimmick to offer a matching cargo trailer so you can haul two 4-wheelers and some gear.
David @ Aug 2nd 2006 6:41PM
Looks very well executed, though the wheels may be a bit out of place on an off-roader. I especially like the use of Wrangler hood latches to secure the tailgate.
Nowhere near a one-off though. AEV has been making the Brute for a few years now, along with stretched versions of the Wrangler (pre-dating the Unlimited) and modifying the rest of the Jeep lineup. They'll even throw a HEMI into a Wrangler.
http://www.aev-conversions.com/Vehicle_Brute.html
Al Eisensteinium @ Aug 2nd 2006 7:11PM
Ah, a roadster, or perhaps more properly a cabriolet, pickup truck. It sure would be nice to be able to lower the top and still carry a load. Is there anyone at Chrysler who could be contacted and encouraged to produce this vehicle here in the States?
snakesausage @ Aug 2nd 2006 7:30PM
This is ok, but the Gladiator ROCKS!!!! JEEP IF YOU ARE LISTENING, PLEASE BUILD THE GLADIATOR! (with a diesel or I am not interested) I am saving my money and putting off buying a new truck, so please do not disappoint me.
Jaymez @ Aug 2nd 2006 7:50PM
Oh how I'd wish Chrysler would build this. I love my truck, but, I want a Jeep as well. Currently, I can't afford both. With this, I'd be able to have both at the same time. It looks far better than the Gladiator.
El Norte @ Aug 2nd 2006 9:29PM
"This one-off by Tiger is much more appealing than the Scrambler concept shown at the 2005 NADA meeting"
2003, not 2005.
Actually, that was the TJ-L which was produced by DaimlerChrysler / Egyptian cooperative (Arab American Vehicles Co) for the Egyptian military. It was shown at various events that year to gauge interest and would become the Unlimited with some minor changes. The Scrambler moniker was applied by the media at the time, and as you can tell by the crap thecarconnection proffers in that "article," they were wildly misinformed.
As for this, it's a pimple on the ass of the Brute which rocks like Gene Simmons on a bender. Chrome is silly, and any Jeeper worth their salt would unload those sidesteps on eBay soon after purchase. It's a nice idea though, and looks like something that Jeep should have produced along with the Dakar back in '99. The world still awaits the Gladiator...
Koba @ Aug 2nd 2006 11:35PM
I'd personally rather just buy an older scrambler, and restore it. For the price of a new, plastic coated, ecu encoumbered wrangler, one could do much with a scrambler. After rust proofing the thing, it should last forever. The best part? It Appreciates in value, one of the few cars that can be driven daily that actually could make you money. Any jeep with the mirrors on the doors insults me, but hey, what would I know?
TheBizofKnowledge @ Aug 3rd 2006 12:24AM
I'd definitely buy a scrambler like that in a heartbeat. I really hope Chrysler decides to go ahead with full-scale production of either this or the Gladiator!
William Nott @ Aug 12th 2006 10:18AM
Definitely a great Jeep. I would either buy one of these or a Gladiator to complement my Commander. But hurry, I'm looking to replace my second car very soon...