The Jeep Pickup Truck has gone a long way since its beginnings in 1947 as the Willys-Overland Jeep 4x4 Truck to the final Chrysler Jeep Comanche manufactured in 1992. Six different Jeep pickup models were produced over 45 years with different ownerships.
This article will provide helpful historical information about how each Jeep pickup truck was produced.
The Willys Jeep 4x4 Truck, produced from 1947 to 1965, was the first Jeep pickup truck.
This 1-ton four-wheel-drive truck was offered as a pickup, and later became a platform stake, chassis cab, and bare chassis. A ¾ ton two-wheel drive model was created in 1949.
The Go-Devil engine powered the early models and was famous during WWII. This engine powered all Jeep vehicles used by the US and its allies. In 1953, the Go-Devil engine was replaced with a four-cylinder engine that boosted horsepower.
Over 200,000 of these vehicles were produced during its 18-year period.
Kaiser Jeep built the Jeep FC from 1957 until 1965. The cab-over style of this Jeep vehicle set it apart from other versions. The standard engine produced 72 horsepower, while the ¾ -ton FC-150 was available with a 155 horsepower inline-six engine.
Jeep FC trucks were marketed as work vehicles for businesses, governments, the military, and personal use. Outside vendors provided alternative body styles such as tow trucks, dump trucks, and fire vehicles in addition to the usual pickup beds. Some FCs had even been turned into mini buses.
The FC series was canceled after nine years and over 30,000 units were produced because of its poor sales.
From 1963 through 1987, the Jeep Gladiator was in production for 26 years. It got minor mechanical modifications over those 26 years.
AMC bought Kaiser Jeep in 1970, and the Gladiator brand was abandoned in 1971. It became known as the Jeep pickup, with model numbers like J2000 and J4000. The AMC engine series was also included in the J-series.
The AMC 401 was available from 1974 to 1978 and was recognized for its durability and power production. It generated 225 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
The J-series phased out because of its outdated model when Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987.
In 1966, the Jeepster Commando was introduced to compete with Ford and Toyota's truck options. It featured a four-cylinder engine that produced 75 horsepower.
The Jeepster was available in four different structures: pickup truck, convertible, roadster, and wagon. AMC bought Kaiser-Jeep in 1970, and the Jeepster brand was dropped the following year. The Jeep Commando was produced for another two years, until 1973.
During its seven-year career, over 77,000 Jeepster Commandos and Commandos were produced.
In 1981, AMC released the Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler. The Scrambler featured tape graphics and unique wheels, giving it an 80s look.
About 230 CJ-8s were upgraded for the Alaskan Postal Service. The truck had a full-length steel hardtop and a movable barn door opening in the back.
The vehicle also featured a right-hand drive and an automatic transmission. This truck was built on a CJ chassis and featured an 82-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
Sales of the Scrambler reached their maximum in the first year, and manufacturing numbers dropped steadily from that point until its end in 1986.
The Jeep Comanche was launched in the ballroom of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in 1985.
The Comanche had four different engines and six gearbox options, including a 2.1-liter turbo diesel with 85 horsepower., and a 6' or 7' cargo bed. The Jeep Comanche was abandoned after seven years and over 190,000 cars were made.
It also featured an optional roll bar and a short-wheelbase body was added in 1987 to make the vehicle feel safer. However, sales began to fall, so Chrysler decided that Jeep should concentrate on SUVs and Dodge on trucks.
Jeep returned to the pickup truck sector after a more than two-decade absence with the 2020 Jeep Gladiator model. Based on the Jeep Wrangler, the new Jeep Gladiator came standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and more than 80 available safety and security features.
The Gladiator features more rigid axles which improve off-road performance. It also has a three-piece detachable top that will allow owners to transform their Jeep Gladiator into a convertible pickup truck.
Jeep pickup trucks have come a long way since their first manufacturing in 1947 when the Willys-Overland Jeep 4x4 Truck was introduced. It had to stop production in 1992 due to poor sales.
However, it was revived after a decade to make the Jeep Gladiator, which is a spectacular truck.
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