Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence: DIY Mopar Kit Allows Owners To Turn Wrangler Into a Pick Up Truck

Some of you may remember the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept study for a pickup truck version of the Wrangler, which for many reasons, never came to fruition. But if you happened to like the idea of a light-duty hauler based on the Wrangler, then Jeep may have the answer for you with its new JK-8 Independence package.

The do-it-yourself Mopar kit allows owners to convert a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck with seating for two and a pickup style bed. After the conversion, the bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The package includes all the necessary parts such as the bed floor, inner and outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

According to Jim Sassorossi, head of Mopar Sales and Marketing, an enthusiast that is very handy and works very fast can do the conversion over a weekend, but for most people, it will take a little longer than that.

The Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence will make its public debut along with five more vehicles at the annual Moab East Safari event, which takes place in Utah from April 16-24.

The specific JK-8 Independance model seen in the video and the photo gallery bellow, takes cues from the Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s and is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears, plus a 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit, 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear end of the 4x4.

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Chrysler Group to Boost Ad Budget by 70% to $2.9 Billion in 2011

As the Chrysler Group continues its product renaissance with new or facelifted models, the Auburn Hills automaker is now looking to boost its marketing presence in the United States by increasing its advertising budget nearly 70 percent this year, from $1.72 billion in 2010 to around $2.9 billion in 2011.

The increase is even greater when compared to 2009, when Chrysler had just come out of bankruptcy and joined forces with the Fiat Group. According to the SEC filing, the Detroit firm spent just $677 million on advertising in the second half of 2009.

However, promoting the firm’s new models isn’t the only reason behind Chrysler’s decision to boost its advertising expenditure as the automaker also wants to convince investors that the company is on the right track ahead of an initial public stock offering expected later this year

"No matter how good or bad the new products are, it is all about perception now," analyst Ricardo de la Blanca, chief executive of DLB Group in Miami, told Detroit News. "It is safer to buy a competitor's vehicles, so the challenge is to engage consumers. If they do it right, they will be able to create hype," he added. "It is critical because they also need to satisfy investors and the government."

Source: Detroit News

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