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Chrysler's unveiling of the government/military-issue Jeep J8 struck a chord in Jeep aficionados. Whether it was the Wrangler Unlimited-based vehicle's added payload, beefed-up suspension, or available 2-door pickup bodystyle, many of you responded by screaming for a civilian version. The Chrysler Blog has posted a conversation with Dave Cushing, manager of complete knockdown projects, and Jack Robinson, international market manager for the Middle East and Africa, in which the pair talk specifically about the J8.
Though it was developed for non-US military and government agencies (hence the diesel), it became clear along the way that the American military operating overseas would be able to use the J8 as well. Suited for a variety of light-duty applications, the J8's 3,000-lb payload also gives it flexibility that's simply unavailable in the consumer-grade Wrangler (whose payload, by comparison, is 1,000 lbs). The J8 is able to haul more people and/or equipment, and can be armored without a problem. Cushing and Robinson state that there are "no definite plans" to sell the J8 in the US, as the diesel it uses doesn't meet US emissions standards and there is no gasoline version available. Let's hope that changes. Even if the J8 itself can't be sold, we're sure Jeep could score another hit by dropping the new 2-door pickup body on the existing Wrangler's mechanicals and putting it in showrooms at some point in the future. For now, however, the J8 might as well be called the Jeep Unicorn, as far as the North American consumer is concerned. You can read the Chrysler Blog post in its entirety by clicking the "Read" link below.
[Source: Chrysler Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Random Task @ Sep 28th 2007 10:19AM
And why couldn't they have designed this with US homologation in mind in the first place? Way to go guys, it's not as if anyone's been asking for a Wrangler pickup for over 20 years. And get a damn diesel in the Wrangler while you're at it, I don't feel like getting 16mpg on the highway.
Guenther @ Sep 28th 2007 11:34AM
With leaves that will carry 3000lbs payload, that thing has to ride like a brick. Some lighter leaves with the D44 and the regular gasoline V-6 would be ok. The pick-up body would be cool, although I would prefer it be a little longer behind the axle. As long as they call it what it is- a Scrambler.
Robert @ Sep 28th 2007 10:22AM
Chrysler (Cerberus), Please make the pickup and diesel available in the US. I want one!
John P. @ Sep 28th 2007 10:35AM
I'd buy one today if they sold it with the diesel. Jeep? Chrysler? Come on Guys!!!
cowboy bob @ Sep 28th 2007 11:02AM
Being no expert on the subject- can one here in the states buy one of these either thru military surplus in the future, or make a purchass say in Spain, or north Africa and have it shipped here? Could you licence and run it here if you got it?
Jared @ Sep 28th 2007 11:17AM
Nope, you can't bring it into the US and title it for road use, since it doesn't meet EPA and DOT regulations.
Well, that's not entirely correct. You could bring it in but then you would have to bring it up to standard and prove that it meets those standards (i.e., emissions testing, crash testing, etc.). It is not economically feasible unless you've got $1M to blow.
geo.stewart @ Sep 28th 2007 11:20AM
I think you can bring it in for a year as 'research' or something. there are some loopholes but on the whole, if its not certified as a US vehicle, then no.
Maytag @ Sep 28th 2007 4:54PM
G&K Automotive Conversion in California has done conversion with DOT/EPA approval of European-market Smarts -- since that market now disappears, maybe they can pick this one up....
tio @ Sep 28th 2007 12:38PM
Even if it is just the Pick up body sold, they need to do it. There are other Diesel engines than the VM 2.8 available to Chrysler via Benz , VM , Cummins and VW as it uses each company's engines already. Somewhere there has to be an engine that can be used at a reasonable cost for something like this. The wranglers engine bay will hold about any size engine. Come on Chrysler, Show us you mean business.
J. D. Billiford @ Sep 28th 2007 1:01PM
>>> Keep the faith folks. A U.S.-acceptable version of the J8 could still make it to your local Jeep dealership in the not-to-distant future. Remember, it ain't over 'till it's over, the fat lady sings and the lights are turned out.
The clock is still ticking, I don't hear anyone and the lights are still on!
SPG @ Sep 28th 2007 2:01PM
I think we all know that a J8 sold to civilians is not going to happen.
For those of you wanting one, hit up a military auction in a few years.
Maybe a diesel one day soon, maybe a pickup truck version but even those would probably not last on the market too long.
These are capable and awesome vehicles.
I would love one.
However, to a huge segment of their customers these are fashion accessories.
Much like the capable road hugging MX5 is.
DelayedZ @ Sep 28th 2007 4:12PM
Buy a wrangler, buy this get it shipped here, chop up your wrangler slap a few pieces on the J8 and call it a kit car, lol
Level @ Sep 28th 2007 8:08PM
I love the fact that car manufactures can make cars that everyone loves but doesn't make them available....
mfdaly1 @ Sep 29th 2007 10:10AM
I want one too!
vielzebub @ Sep 30th 2007 8:41AM
Bah.
I'm angry at Jeep. I'm a Jeep faithful who has been teased by truck concepts for years. Had one come to market I'd own it today.
Instead, I traded in my Cherokee for a Tacoma because I got tired of waiting and had little faith a truck would ever be built.
One more thing, if the Jeep brand is so closely linked to the great outdoors and the exploring of it, why don't they have a clean, efficient diesel engine in it? You could travel farther and be more environmentally responsible.
I just don't see where they're coming from anymore...