Jeep Wrangler Truck JT First Pictures!

Photographers recently captured images of Jeep testing a Wrangler-based pickup truck, which is the first time we’ve spied Chrysler engineers testing the long-rumored (and recently confirmed) truck-based Wrangler.

Jeep hasn’t produced a production-model pickup since the Comanche in 1992 (see: 6 Jeep Pickup Trucks). Although Chrysler, and now FCA, has floated the idea of a Wrangler pickup with the Gladiator concept in 2005, and the J-12 concept at the 2012 Moab Easter Jeep Safari, and even the JK-8 conversion kit that transformed the modern JK Wrangler Unlimited platform into a pickup (though removed the backseat in the process).

The prototype images recently captured show a four-door Unlimited body style of the new JL-based Wrangler with a large pickup bed. Photographers, however, noted that the placement of the rear wheels in the wheel well might indicate this isn’t the final bed design. There are also some aggressive off-road-ready tires on this test car, which appears to be fitted with weights in the bed to test out either its carry capacity and/or its ride quality with a cargo load.

The new Wrangler, which carries the codename “JL,” will start production in Q4 of 2017 as a 2018 model. The Wrangler pickup, which carries the codename “JT,” will go into production in Q3 or Q4 of 2018, making the pickup a 2019 model year vehicle. Both will be built at the Toledo, Ohio, plant.

The entire Wrangler lineup will be riding on a new chassis that will feature more weight-saving materials. Sources say there will be only limited use of aluminum, however. We’ve also confirmed the new Wrangler will still feature live axles front and rear (more: 2018 Wrangler: What We Know So Far).

The new Wrangler will be offered with a 2.0L, turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.6L V6, and a turbo diesel (most likely the Ecodiesel engine found in the Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500). There are also rumors of a plug-in hybrid variant.

Gallery: 2019 Jeep Wrangler JT Pickup Truck