Times Five

Jeep has a surprisingly colourful history in pickup trucks, reports David Linklater.

4x4 Truck (1947-65)

Jeep, or Willys-Overland Motors as it was back then, got stuck into pickup trucks immediately after World War II with the 1947, um, 4x4 Truck. Yes, the company was so busy making practical machines it didn’t even have time to think of a proper name for the thing.

It was a one-tonner, just like your new Toyota Hilux, and a pretty functional vehicle. It was initially powered by the ‘‘Go Devil’’ four-cylinder engine used in the war, although a more modern unit came along in 1953.

Models included a wellside, cabchassis and half-tonne panel van. The 4x4 Truck served the company well, staying in production for 18 years.

FC Series (1956-65)

Another very trucky truck, but the FC (for its ‘‘forward control’’ cabover design) is one heritage model that Jeep enthusiasts go crazy over. The company even paid homage to it with a concept vehicle called Mighty FC in 2012.

We think its enduring appeal has a lot to do with that happy face.

Manufactured under KaiserJeep, the FC had obvious application as a work and military vehicle. Two wheelbases were offered by the factory and outside suppliers modified it for use as everything from dump trucks, to fire appliances to go-anywhere minibuses. Entry models had a modest four-cylinder engine, but you could also step up to an inline six.

Gladiator/J-Series (1962-88)

The Gladiator – which gives its name to Jeep’s new 2020 ute – is the maker’s longest-running truck to date, staying in production for an incredible 26 years.

It was launched under KaiserJeep, but when AMC purchased the company in 1970 it became the J-Series and picked up AMC engines.

The J-Series outlasted AMC’s ownership of Jeep, though. The company was sold to Chrysler in 1987 and the truck soldiered on until 1988, when it was finally phased out.

The J-Series did last long enough to cross over with Jeep’s new ‘‘lifestyle’’ ute, the Comanche. Speaking of which . . .

Comanche (1985-92)

Much less work, a lot more play for the Comanche, which was based on the Cherokee SUV and was aimed squarely at the new generation of Japanese pickup trucks like the Toyota Hilux.

The Comanche was launched right at the end of AMC’s ownership of Jeep and was still a relatively new model when Chrysler took over. So while a pickup truck didn’t really fit with the new owner’s strategy for the Jeep brand, Comanche was allowed to live until 1992.

It’s so very 1980s. And looking back through a pair of retro-tinted glasses, the Comanche might just be the coolest pickup truck ever made.

Gladiator (2020)

After 18 years away, Jeep is back in the ute game.

Like the CJ-8 Scrambler, the new Gladiator looks a lot like a Wrangler with a tray. But unlike the Scrambler, the Gladiator has unique construction from the B-pillar back; it employs a five-link suspension design adapted from the Ram 1500 pickup truck.

Like Comanche, the emphasis is on fun rather than working life: expect bright colours and cool accessories. Gladiator arrives in New Zealand in the middle of this year.