Spy Shots: Production Jeep JT pickup caught testing!
by John Neff on Aug 15th 2007 at 5:19PM 
UPDATE: Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com speculates that Jeep may be going after the postal fleet market. These mules are right-hand drive (to reach mailboxes perhaps?) and leaf springs (to handle the heavy load of mail maybe?)
click above image for high-res gallery
Everyone fawned over the Jeep JT Concept when they saw what it could actually do. Jeep fanboys and casual admirers alike all recognized that such a small, light-duty pickup would do wonders for the Jeep brand, and if these spy photos from KGP Photography are anything to by, then it appears Jeep is listening. Read the report from KGP below and check out the gallery of high-res spy shots that confirms Jeep is at least developing a Wrangler-based pickup.We got up-close and personal with what appears to be a mule for a Wrangler-based pickup truck, right along the lines of the Jeep JT truck concept. The rear doors of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited have been welded shut, and the black composite roof structure has been extended forward to the B-pillar. The roll-down side glass has been replaced with a solid window.
More after the jump...
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Gallery: Jeep JT Pickup - spy shots
Gallery: Jeep JT
Gallery: Jeep Wrangler JT Concept
A peek inside shows what appears to be a makeshift truck bed, with a load floor that has been extended, allowing no room for any rear seats. More details that suggested a pickup truck are new leaf-springs that have been added, to accommodate heavier payloads in the rear.
Jeep's JT concept was designed to use as much of the existing Wrangler Unlimited's platform, to allow for a seamless transition from concept to production. From what we have seen here, it looks like that process is under way.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BartMack 5:27PM (8/15/2007)
This is hotter than the Ferrari Dino...
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dave 6:11PM (8/15/2007)
haha, I second that ;)
tommy 7:59PM (8/15/2007)
Why doesn't Jeep try for the "next military vehicle" contract? I know Hummer, Lambo, and probably some other companies went for the last contract... Why not use this as the Willies v2.0?
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Tyo 5:33PM (8/15/2007)
as long as it gets a hemi, or a CRD. Anything but the gutless, pathetic 3.7L v6. The least they couldve done was put something thats got more grunt than the 25+ year old 4.0l it replaced.
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1337 8:58PM (8/15/2007)
Make it the CRD from the Sprinter...the CRD in the Liberty was also gutless.
BartMack 5:39PM (8/15/2007)
+ I don't think that Chrysler has ever understood the potential of Jeep. At least the Wrangler wasn't inadvertantly discontinued, but IMO they sure showed ignorance by producing the cutesy Liberty and then that Compass fiasco-esque contraption. Jeep is uniquely cool... and handled wisely would be endlessly successful. This looks like a step in the right direction to me.
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AutoXN 5:48PM (8/15/2007)
I lost a lot of respect for Jeep with the Compass. I wish I was running Jeep right now but that is what you get when your CEO is not truck guy.
AutoXN 5:44PM (8/15/2007)
Without an extended or 4 door cab practicality, I don't see it doing well in the long run. My favorite vehicles were the old Jeep trucks. Give me a 4 door Jeep with a 5 to 6 foot bed and a decent powertrain and I will be first in line.
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d-x 7:18PM (8/15/2007)
I didn't know Jeep ever made a 4 door truck....don't even think I've ever seen a Comanche with an extended cab...
The price point will determine if JT will make it or not. Nobody wants a two seater truck with a base price of above 18k...
Ebm14 1:02PM (8/16/2007)
That was not a true 4 door.
Anyway, they should spend time making the interiors nice.
Hemidakota 6:00PM (8/15/2007)
Great job on the pics
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SocalObserver 6:05PM (8/15/2007)
It would be cool if they brought back the Comanche name.
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MadeinDetroit 6:01PM (8/15/2007)
Right hand drive? Odd... Maybe not intended for North America?
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JeremySeattle 6:10PM (8/15/2007)
I caught that, too. I wonder what's up?
John Neff 6:24PM (8/15/2007)
Some have speculated that Jeep could be going after postal fleet sales. Leaf springs to handle heavy load of mail. Right hand drive to reach mailboxes, etc. Hmm... maybe we'll do a follow up post on that later :)
sam 6:34PM (8/15/2007)
it's not improbable that this is a mule for a non-Us market, i.e. Australia is the biggest market for wranglers after the US and also uses a lot of pickups like the hilux (the fatass Ford F trucks etc are not welcome), so it makes sense that jeep would lure customers from both segments.
i'll stick with my maloo though, thanks :)
Mark 8:41PM (8/15/2007)
Right hand drive is not that odd. It is for postal/delivery companies. In fact, for 2008, right hand drive is an option on the Jeep Wrangler X (special order only).
R0v3r 6:05PM (8/15/2007)
Whats with the leaf-spring suspension?
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jdemonto 6:12PM (8/15/2007)
Looks to be a good sign!! Leafs are for payload
Jason
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Fooman 6:13PM (8/15/2007)
I think that this may not be a US spec vehicle, with the "wrong hand drive" and the leaf springs and the lack of a real cab, along with a pintle hitch and heavy duty non oem bumper and I think this may be being developed for other areas. The 2 door mini suv would be marketable in Africa and Australia. The leaf spring would make the car more heavy duty with less cost, at the expense of road feel and offroad prowess. While minor they would get screamed at for bringing back a rear leaf in the US.
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