2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup: Everything We Know

Note: We're continually updating this post as we learn more info about the upcoming 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup. The last update was made on 6/6/18.

Jeep hasn't sold a pickup truck since 1992, when the XJ Cherokee-based Comanche went out of production. Since then, Jeep has made many concept pickups to tease us. Now, we know that a JL Wrangler-based pickup is on its way, and it's high on our list of cars we can't wait to drive. To say we're excited for the Wrangler pickup would be an understatement, so let's round up everything we think we know about it.

It's Actually, Finally, Really, Seriously Happening

Jeep started the Wrangler pickup fever in 2005 with the Gladiator Concept (shown above), but it never reached production. A handful of concepts since only served to whet our collective appetite further.

Finally, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed in early 2016 that Jeep would be offering a production pickup version of the JL Wrangler, the standard SUV-version of which made its debut in late 2017.

We'll Probably See It Later This Year

It hasn't been confirmed yet, but we suspect that the Wrangler Pickup will make its debut at an auto show later this year, possibly Los Angeles in November. Mark your calendars.

AutoNews reports that Jeep dealers were told at national conference that the Wrangler Pickup would arrive in their showrooms in April 2019. That means the truck will probably begin production around the end of this year.

It'll (Probably) Look Like This

Ever since the Wrangler pickup was announced, we've been receiving spy photos and detailed renderings giving us a pretty clear picture of what to expect. Unsurprisingly, it looks like a Wrangler with a truck bed. The next-generation Wrangler sports a trimmer profile with a vertical, kinked grille and integrated turn signals/DRLs in the front fenders.

We’ve only seen spy shots of four-door Wrangler Unlimited pickup prototypes, but according to the latest renderings, the truck will likely be available as a two-door as well.

It's Been Rumored for Production for a While Now

We first heard rumblings of a JL Wrangler-based pickup in September of 2015. Of course, people have been clamoring for it for a much longer time.

It'll Be Based on the New Wrangler Platform

The new Wrangler SUV debuted in late 2017 as a 2018 model, and it represents a massive improvement over its predecessor. That's good news for the pickup. We've covered all of the details of the JL Wrangler in our story about its reveal and our first drive of a Rubicon model, but here are some highlights:

The JL's body is made from aluminum, which helps save up to 200 lbs of weight over its predecessor, the JK.

The interior is much nicer than before, with better materials, sharper design, and FCA's great UConnect infotainment system.

It still comes standard with Chrysler's 3.6-liter 285-hp Pentastar V6, but a new six-speed manual and optional eight-speed automatic make the most of it. Optional is a 270-hp turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder; a diesel V6 is set to debut later.

Despite all this new stuff, the Wrangler still has a ladder frame and solid axles, exactly what off-roaders want.

It Probably Won't Have a Hellcat Engine. . .

Yes, Jeep made a Wrangler with the 707-hp supercharged V8 from the Hellcat in 2016, but it's just a one-off fever dream. Don't fret—if you really want a Hellcat motor and a seven-slat grille, there's always the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

. . .But It'll Likely Have a Diesel

According to screenshots of Jeep's dealer system on the Jeep Scrambler Forums, the JT Wrangler Pickup will offer an optional a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with auto start/stop as an engine choice.

It'll Sell Like Crazy

Americans love pickup trucks, and Americans love Jeeps. Sergio Marchionne knows this, so building a Wrangler pickup is a complete and total no-brainer. It'll also be wildly different from every other pickup currently on sale, which should help it further.

Marchionne said at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show that FCA expects to sell 100,000 examples of the pickup per year, and they'll be "expensive—intentionally so."

The Roof and Doors Will Be Removable

An image taken during a tour of Jeep's Toledo factory posted to Jeep Scrambler Forums shows the cab frame for the Wrangler pickup without doors and roof. That means you'll be able to remove the roof and doors from this truck, just as in the regular Wrangler. It also looks like the pickup will get the regular Wrangler's fold-down windshield too.

The Scrambler Forums have evidence from internal Jeep documents showing that the roof will be removable. There will likely be up to three roof configurations available—manual-folding soft top, hard top with removable roof panels, and power-sliding soft top—just like the JL Wrangler.

We Have a Name (Maybe)

Generally, folks assumed this new vehicle would just be called the Wrangler Pickup. Now, the rumor is that FCA will revive a name that last appeared on a Jeep CJ-8: Scrambler.

But we're not getting our hopes up for a new Jeep Scrambler just yet. Speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne said that he "[doesn't] know the name of the pickup truck." We'll find out in due course.