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Jeep JT planned for SEMA debut in November
by Jonathon Ramsey on May 10th 2007 at 10:28AM 
Chrysler's Skunkwerks is really nothing more than a bunch of folks who use their spare time to make the kinds of vehicles they'd really like to build. That makes them just like a lot of us -- except that they have the full resources of Chrysler to pull from. One of their latest creations is the Jeep Wrangler JT, which is the Jeep pickup we've all been dreaming of. Built on a Wrangler Unlimited platform, keeps the Wrangler's engine and suspension, and adds a 5-foot bed, a 3-inch lift, a winch, and 35-inch tires. It will be making an appearance at SEMA later this year.
Autoblog got to drive it (around the parking lot), along with a few other cars sprung from the minds of Chrysler's gearheads. Look for a report and pics of the JT in Moab soon. And if you're wondering just what color that JT is, it's called Hearing Aid Beige. Really.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BC 10:34AM (5/10/2007)
"Scrambler"
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Fletcher 10:42AM (5/10/2007)
Something this utilitarian and unadorned is exactly what Jeep needs to counteract the luxury-softened Grand Cherokee and Commander, and earn some credibility back after the whole Compass debacle. I like the flat paint, steel wheels, the whole package. This is my idea of a Jeep 'halo car.'
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mr.ed 10:58AM (5/10/2007)
A little too late for the insurgent market, with room for crew-served weapons in the bed. Too bad the Japanese pickups have captured this segment. Just think how many jobs this would have stayed in Toledo if Chrysler had been more on the ball(s).
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Avinash machado 10:47AM (5/10/2007)
I love it. I agree with #2 that it should be put into production. Also a Diesel engine should be an option.
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Quattrofan 11:00AM (5/10/2007)
Cool looking truck and a first Jeep I'd consider owning. Nice!
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Kurama 11:26AM (5/10/2007)
Hell yeah, I'd line up to buy that one, exactly as shown.
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Colin Smith 11:41AM (5/10/2007)
Very handsome.
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BLS 11:42AM (5/10/2007)
Not quite as good as the Gladiator
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Jason 11:46AM (5/10/2007)
Just a quick FYI on the Jeep JT... the body is the same one DCX developed for military use for Egypt (and Columbia too from what I've been told). They basically took the 2-dr LWB military body and put it on an US-spec Unlimited chassis (the mil-spec export chassis is longer, has leaf springs, and uses a 1-ton Dana 60 rear axle) and added a half-cab top (which had probably already been developed for the military version anyway).
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this truck, from the color to the wheels to everything about it, but it's more of a tease as to what some other countries get (and what DCX could easily build for us if they so chose), vs a totally one-off custom job.
I'm envious some of you guys got to drive it.
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thesawzall 11:58AM (5/10/2007)
AEV already makes these as the "Brute".
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JC3 12:09PM (5/10/2007)
Jeep finally came out with a four door Wrangler and from what I heard it's a great success.DC needs to capitalize on the appeal of the Wrangler further by re-visting the idea of a trendy Wrangler pick-up like this.And by the way ,Hummer! Where's Your Wrangler killer?C'mon get on the ball guys!You want the Japanese Co.'s to beat you on this too?
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ClutchCargo 1:04PM (5/10/2007)
I like the idea. The Cab roof is something I would change.It looks to small. There needs to be more head room. Also how about the doors from the 2 door wrangler.
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MinnesotaJoe 11:31PM (6/04/2007)
Oh what a beautiful machine! We could only hope (and pray) for a production model!
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RUBICONTRAIL.NET 12:41PM (5/10/2007)
Jeep should build this, along with a heavy duty version of the Gladiator concept. Like others have said, DCX should milk the new Wrangler's success.
Jeep should keep the Liberty, Commander, and Grand Cherokee as the more luxurious off-road capable vehicles. They should beef up the Patriot with more ground clearance and better tires and should scratch the Compass altogether.
All Jeeps should be available with only 4WD/AWD and have a choice of gasoline, diesel, or diesel hybrid engines.
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Jason 12:41PM (5/10/2007)
@thesawzall:
The Brute is a very different vehicle (cab and bed are separate, like the Gladiator concept), and it's based on the TJ, not the JK.
And AEV has actually quit building the vehicle themselves (they only do conversions on current model Jeeps) and only offer it in kit form for you to convert an existing TJ.
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kanadian 1:05PM (5/10/2007)
Want one oley crap.....and make it available with another row of seat in the bed for parties :D
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Spiritgolfer 7:54PM (5/10/2007)
This reminds me of the Jeep Commanche!
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Eleventee 1:51PM (5/10/2007)
New Skool Scrambler. Tight work.
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Jason 2:33PM (5/10/2007)
The cab roof is the same height as the regular hardtop. And the front doors are all the same btwn the 4-dr and 2-dr models -- that's the the bottom of the front doors has that funny angle on it on the 4-dr models.
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Calebe 2:49PM (5/10/2007)
The interior looks even more claustrophobic than the Comanche was. Get rid of the center console and extend the cab a few inches. The rest works pretty good. Diesel?
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