I finally saw a new Jeep "pickup" today

Oaktree · May 2, 2019

oosik said:
I was not overly impressed. If I were ever to go that way again - Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 door. Same engine/same frame.

I've owned a Jeep since my AMC CJ in 1974. Only problem - heater was a tad weak, soft top a tad breezy for the Alaska winters.

Haven't seen one in person, only articles on line, but I'm a bit underwhelmed myself. To me it seems more of a recreational/lifestyle pseudo-truck like the tacoma...more suitable for driving down dirt roads, splashing thru puddles carrying a canoe or mountain bike in the back as opposed to a vehicle that you can do any actual work with. I get why they're doing it, but it's not for me.

I've leaned towards Mopars for a long time, and with the exception of my current Gen II Dakota, they all seem to have somewhat weak heaters, or at least slow to warm up.

gojira · May 2, 2019

Oaktree said:
I've leaned towards Mopars for a long time, and with the exception of my current Gen II Dakota, they all seem to have somewhat weak heaters, or at least slow to warm up.

One thing I'll say for the GM trucks I've had - the heating and A/C always work well.

AWSubie · May 2, 2019

gojira said:
One thing I'll say for the GM trucks I've had - the heating and A/C always work well.

Chevy trucks I’ve owned as well

cdaigle430 · May 2, 2019

I was a true GM fan until I got smart in my early 30s. Had so many problems with fuel pumps, electrical, wheels falling off, transmissions and dealers I am boycotting them forever.
Switch over to Jeep, my first was a 93 JGC Limited-put 180k miles and traded it in for a 2000 JGC limited-had rear axle, transfer case, head gasket issues but traded it in when I got to 150k on it. I have had my 2005 JGC Limited since which now has 130,000 miles on it and has been most reliable, comfy vehicle I ever owned.

If I do stray from Jeep it will be to try Ford or Land Rover.....never GM Garbage ever again.

herm0016 · May 2, 2019

cdaigle430 said:
I was a true GM fan until I got smart in my early 30s. Had so many problems with fuel pumps, electrical, wheels falling off, transmissions and dealers I am boycotting them forever.
Switch over to Jeep, my first was a 93 JGC Limited-put 180k miles and traded it in for a 2000 JGC limited-had rear axle, transfer case, head gasket issues but traded it in when I got to 150k on it. I have had my 2005 JGC Limited since which now has 130,000 miles on it and has been most reliable, comfy vehicle I ever owned.

If I do stray from Jeep it will be to try Ford or Land Rover.....never GM Garbage ever again.

meh. you will be very disappointed with a land rover.

i have always had GM. a few minor issues over my 4 vehicles from them. one xterra was a POS. many issues with ford work trucks. our company switched to chevy 1 tons because of maintenance costs.

Jstpssng · May 2, 2019

cdaigle430 said:
I was a true GM fan until I got smart in my early 30s. Had so many problems with fuel pumps, electrical, wheels falling off, transmissions and dealers I am boycotting them forever.
Switch over to Jeep, my first was a 93 JGC Limited-put 180k miles and traded it in for a 2000 JGC limited-had rear axle, transfer case, head gasket issues but traded it in when I got to 150k on it. I have had my 2005 JGC Limited since which now has 130,000 miles on it and has been most reliable, comfy vehicle I ever owned.

If I do stray from Jeep it will be to try Ford or Land Rover.....never GM Garbage ever again.

I knew the time period that you were talking about before finishing your post. GM and Chrysler both had fuel pump and transmission problems in the '90s... I lost the fuel pump on my '98 GMC on the same curve as the pump on my Dakota several years earlier. I put a brand new, not rebuilt tranny in my '93 Dakota which didn't last 6 months; apparently the pump was weak from the start, and when cold weather came I would have to drive back and forth on my road, until the fluid warmed up enough so that the truck could climb the hill. By then it was just off the 12000 mile warranty...

shooterdon · May 3, 2019

Got my first Jeep Wrangler last year. 2010 used with 90k on it. Sold both my Polaris UTV's that were of limited use for my circumstances. (Having a tractor and an old 2001 plow/farm truck made the UTV's redundant for work around the place.) Have put 8k on it so far and am happy with it. I would never have one as my only vehicle but as a second "fun" car that can be taken off road as well as to the market it has a place.

Value holds up well so not expecting to take too bad a hit when I sell/trade it. Wish I had got the 4dr at times.

Don't see getting a Jeep pickup.

Oaktree · May 3, 2019

Jstpssng said:
I knew the time period that you were talking about before finishing your post. GM and Chrysler both had fuel pump and transmission problems in the '90s... I lost the fuel pump on my '98 GMC on the same curve as the pump on my Dakota several years earlier. I put a brand new, not rebuilt tranny in my '93 Dakota which didn't last 6 months; apparently the pump was weak from the start, and when cold weather came I would have to drive back and forth on my road, until the fluid warmed up enough so that the truck could climb the hill. By then it was just off the 12000 mile warranty...

I thought the Chrysler transmission problems were mostly in the minivans. Wasn't aware of anything in trucks. First Dakota I had ('88) did lose the 4th gear synchros at ~150k, so you had to double-clutch to go 5-4, but that was it. Current '02 is automatic with no issues at 150k.
Supposedly the viscious couplers in the Grand Cherokees was troublesome, but my '98 went 300+k with no drivetrain issues whatsoever.
Likewise any GMs I had from that era. Rust, yeah but no serious mechanical problems.

finn1 · May 3, 2019

Kid was at Moab a few months ago doing validation work on another product the same week that the Jeep Product team was doing sign off on the new Gladiator. There was a large of off road Jeep enthusiasts there at the same time.

He said it was cool to watch the Jeep enthusiasts going absolutely head over heels bonkers over the new Gladiator.

It is going to be a tremendously profitable product for FCA.