Jeep Scrambling to Bring Back the Pick-Up?

It’s been about 25 years since they’ve been in the production, but the likeness of the Jeep Scrambler is making its way back onto the roads again one Wrangler at a time. If you’re looking for a Jeep pick-up truck, why replace the old alternator, starter, or manual front-locking hubs of a Scrambler when you can turn your own Jeep Wrangler into the same thing? This is what MOPAR set out to do with their JK-8 Independence conversion kits.

This kit, available for $5,499, comes with everything you need to turn your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pick-up truck. A new steel bed, inner and outer bedsides, sport bar extensions, a fiberglass top with sliding rear windows, you name it. MOPAR underestimated the demand for this product and is working hard to catch up on production within the coming month, beginning shipments to dealerships this week.  This isn’t the first I’ve heard about a possible return of the Jeep pick-up truck and seeing more of these on the road is bound to get Jeep thinking about this a little more seriously. And although this kit may not be exactly what Jeep enthusiasts are looking for in the next generation of the Jeep pickup, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

The only thing I’m confused about is that most current owners of the Wrangler Unlimited bought it for the extra interior space. So unless you’re ready to put the kids in the truck bed, this package seems to be for those new buyers still hoping for the Scrambler’s return.