Jeep plans to launch the Wrangler pickup truck in late 2019, which means that the customers aiming for this vehicle will have to arm themselves with patience. Some earlier speculations suggested that it should arrive in late 2018, but it is now obvious that this is not going to happen. Once it does go in production and hits the market, there is a possibility that it will be based on the platform from the RAM 1500 instead of the new Wrangler chassis.
The reason for this delay is the size of the factory in Toledo, Ohio, says Automotive News. They report that the northern part of the plant assembles the standard Wrangler model according to schedule, but the southern half of the plant need retooling for pickup production. Jeep will also need a new paint shop since the one they have is not large enough to put a pickup truck in there and the construction of a larger shop can take some time.
Automotive News continues that RAM apparently wants to move some of the production of heavy-duty trucks into that southern part of the facility in Toledo, instead of moving it all the way to Mexico. If this turns out to be true, the trucks could use the same chassis, which would make a job a lot easier that manufacturing two different platforms.
The name of the new Wrangler pickup remains unknown, but The Detroit News reports that the company is toying with the idea to use the name from the history for the new model. Thus, the Gladiator moniker might be the perfect name for the truck, and we shouldn’t forget that Jeep owns the rights to Jeepster, which is also a possibility.
Based on the latest spy photos, we believe that the new Jeep Wrangler might come with removable roof panels and if any trim gets those, it will be the four-door Unlimited. Jeep should also offer a soft top as an option, whereas the design of the new model will continue to be boxy. The new engine that will be available is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, while the diesel and hybrid versions are not excluded. Expect the new Jeep Wrangler pickup to debut at the LA Auto Show.
