Convert Unlimited into a Scrambler?

[ScramblerKen]

Considering the Unlimited is very close to the specifications of the old CJ-8 Scrambler, has anyone considered converting an Unlimited to a small pickup truck like the Scrambler?

I doubt Jeep will ever produce the pickup variant of the Unlimited that many of us saw back in 2002. The Unlimited will never be exactly like the Scrambler, but considering Scramblers are hard to get, and many of them are reaching a mature life, converting an Unlimited to a Scrambler-like truck might be interesting. There are some obvious differences like the roll cage location, and the length of the Unlimited, but….

1) I have had correspondence with Bestop, and they are looking into releasing a version of their Half-Top for the Unlimited. This might be available in the summer of 2005.

2) I have seen several TJ owners convert the swing-gate to a tail gate. One owner used a CJ-7 tailgate to accomplish this.

3) Could the CJ-8 bulkhead (the metal divider between the cab and pickup bed) be adapted to the Unlimited? Is the width and height of the Scrambler close to the Unlimited? I think CJ-8’s were 55.8 inches wide (from the inside), and the bed height was 16.4 inches.

4) I suspect it would not be too hard to make wood side rails similar to the Scramblers. Has anyone tried this?

This might be a fun project, especially for someone that has a Scrambler. (Sadly I don’t have one).

[scrambler81]

I'm sure that the right person could do a conversion like that without much trouble, but I don't really know why someone would want to. I love Scramblers and wouldn't give mine up for the world, but they really aren't very useful. They are too short and narrow to carry any real cargo, but they can't carry 4 people either. I don't know the measurements, but I'm betting the Unlimited is 10" shorter than the Scrambler, so it would carry even less. Somehow, I think if the Scrambler had a back seat instead of the bed, they would have sold a lot more of them.
Besides, the Scrambler is popular now because of it's soul. While Wranglers are better in almost every way, they'll never have the personality the CJs had, no matter what is done to them.
Just my $.02.

[slpbear]

Being a former Scrambler Owner myself and a current Wrangler Unlimited Owner ;D here are my Observations.

1.) The Scrambler is a very unique vehicle, i was stupid when I sold mine. Scrambler owners are a great bunch of people with a vehicle that is cherished and respected.

2.) The unlimited has a soul of its own!!!! Today I would not trade my Unlimited in for a Scrambler!!!! Alot of people have bobbed their Sramblers to eliminate the 21 inch overhang off the rear tires. Unlimiteds are the perfect length.

3.) As far as Scrambler81 comment about personalities of the Scrambler, hes right and hes wrong, Unlimiteds diffinatly have a personality of its own.

4.) Easter jeep Safari here I come. The Scrambler and the Unlimited both share something in common that the CJ7's and Wrannglers do not have, 104" wheel bases, which means better ride and comfort. I took my Scrambler to moab in 03 and had a blast. The short wheel base vehicles mentioned above had difficulties with climbs and decents where the Scrambler had no problems in these areas.

5.) Wish I had kept my Scrambler.

6.) LOVE my Unlimited, best Jeep I have ever had, My first brand new Jeep.

7.) The Unlimited will never be a Scrambler no matter what you do with it. hell take the back seat out if you want it to pretend to be a Scrambler. I do Expect a Half hard top to come out in the after market sometime in the future, don't know how with the Unlimited Roll Bar design. The Half soft top/tonnuae cover from best top I do see by next summer, they make it for the wrangler now.

Thats my $.25 cents worth, with inflation. ;D Dave

[ScramblerKen]

I do appreciate the comments made so far, but it appears we are getting away from what I originally was trying to ask. I posted this to the Tech part of this forum as I was trying to find out a couple of things. I should have been more specific, so….

1) Has anyone converted their Unlimited to a pickup truck style?
2) Can the bulkhead from a CJ-8 fit the TJ, or since we have several former/current Scrambler owners, what are the dimensions of the bulkhead?

Now for my 50 cents worth of opinion/commentary (hey, the price of a barrel of oil is reaching $50, so this inflation thing is getting worse)

As I stated before, the Unlimited is not a Scrambler, nor is the Scrambler an Unlimited.

I agree that the Scrambler did not make a great pickup truck if your purpose was to haul large bulky items, but then again, the Chevy SSR, Ford Sport-Trac, Subaru Baja, and even the Ford Ranger step-side pickup truck would not be great in carrying 4X8 sheets of plywood. The Scrambler was a unique personal truck that was an open-top design. The Unlimited is the closest thing to this classic vehicle. Even in the Jeep brochure for the Unlimited, there is mention of the CJ-8.

Realistically, the Unlimited is closer to the CJ-6. I don’t disagree that there is more market appeal for a four passenger LWB Wrangler (which is why the pickup variant of the Unlimited was scrapped), but the Wrangler is such a versatile vehicle; it can be an SUV or a SUT. This is one of the major things I like about the Wrangler; I can customize it to be what ever I want.

With the Unlimited’s backseat being over the axle, I doubt many large adults would want to sit back there for any length of time. Since the vehicle is only 2-doors, getting in and out of the back is a bit of a treat, especially if you’re a tall adult. I would not be surprised that many will take out the backseat in the Unlimited to use the back area for more cargo carrying capability. I know there are many SWB Wrangler owners that also take the back seat out, and some even buy one of the various half top/tonneau combos and create a very small pickup truck like vehicle. I’m sure many of us have seen CJ-7’s with the CJ-8 half tops installed.

I’m surprised by the comment from Scrambler81 that he does not understand why anyone would want to make the Unlimited to be like the Scrambler. Both Scrambler81 and Slpbear both comment on how they liked their Scramblers. Since the cost of a used Scrambler in good condition is very expensive, turning an Unlimited into a Scrambler-like vehicle does not seem so bad.

We are all entitled to our opinions, and anyone should do whatever they want to their Jeep. That’s one of the major fun things about Jeep Wranglers, you can customize them to what ever you want it to be.

[slpbear]

Ken, First off I was not bashing anyone, Second I am sure with some work a person could turn the Unlimited into a pick-up stlye Wrangler. here is the problem the way i see it. The Scrambler bulkhead is extremely hard to get ahold of hence a bulk head would have to be custom built.

Second, Best top half top does wrap around the roll bar and seal it very well. With the sunrider top it would be a nice looking Jeep.

Third, My back seat is currently out but I put it in when I need it.

Fourth, Inflation just went up $1.00 worth.

Fifth, We are entitled to our opinions, please understand i was not making light of your question and appologize if you took it that way.

Sixth, As I mentioned in my previous post, I do expect someone to come out with a Hard Top with Bulkhead in the next year.

eighth, The Unlimited is 11 shorter than the Scrambler and if we have to compare I think it is closer to the CJ8 than the CJ6, Door cutouts.

Ninth, ScramblerKen, Welcome to the Wrangler Unlimited Board!!!! We are going to have some fun on this board and its great to have you as one of us Crazy Jeepers. ;D
have a great day. Dave ;D

[ScramblerKen]

Thanks for the info Dave.

I know Collins Brothers sells bulkheads (probably for an arm and a leg), but sometimes they pop up on E-bay, so I thought it might be easier to use one then trying to fabricate one.

Hopefully someone will produce a hardtop. I know some years ago, Steel Horse had one for the TJ, but of course it came from Steel Horse and probaly was not of any quality. Unfortunately, if the Unlimited has a short manufacturing life, we might not see too many after market products that target the Unlimited. Once the TK comes out in 2007, and with the indication Jeep is going to produce a four door Wrangler possibly off the new TK, I'm not sure the Unlimited will be produced after 2006.

I miss having a Jeep, and hope to get a Rubicon Unlimited soon. I'm still waiting to get pricing and official word my dealer can actually order one.

The crazy world of Jeep'in is great.

[MNZLNGR]

We have a friend of ours that just bought an 82 Scrambler about a month ago. He's in the process of fixing it up, getting rid of some of the rust spots in the body. It's in great shape considering the age and all. He bought it from a Maryland sheriff who had to part with it or his corvette....I think he got it for like $6K and he's slowly working on it. Looks nice......runs great. The sheriff who owned it put a lot of work into it and took care of it, but like all older vehicles, they need some TLC.

[05hemilj]

Local Rubi owner here in Vegas: community.webshots.com/album/353089696IwRoIH

[04unlimited]

05hemilj said:

Local Rubi owner here in Vegas: community.webshots.com/album/353089696IwRoIH

Now that is an awesome looking Jeep. I like the fact that he put a full cage in there. That would certainly make me feel a lot better about chopping the rear part of the sport bar. If my LJ wasn't planning on being a family mobile at some point I might be more apt to consider this mod.

I guess I will have to hold off til this thing is a bucket. Then the boss will let me do what I want with it.

[unscramble]

I know this is an old thread but the answer to your original question is in www.gr8tops.com .