I guess this mean’s there really isn’t a compact pickup market, because the Dakota is huge–bigger than full-sizers a few decades ago.

this looks like a 1960’s farm truck.
You want to be seen in this farm truck?
Not unless you’re a farmer.
Try picking up hot babes in this farm truck.
You’ll want to die.

This was a cool design. Oh well.

Jeep is working on reverse psychology lately…

Exhibit A
They produce the Compass but cancel the Gladiator.

It’s obvious which of these two vehicles actually played into Jeep’s branding.

Dodge showed a really cute small pick up truck concept recently, how come they never built that? Id have bought the M80 but nooooooo Dodge has to do the huge, ugly gas guzzling Rampage. Way to go Dodge with gas over $3 a gallon.

I thought only gay guys in COlorado drove Commanches? A pretty limited market.

Bring back the Wagoneer

Damn.

Kinda like the Erector set look…

(Not proud of typing a certain person’s password, tho..)

well why not? small ass patriot and weird ass compass can make it but not gladiator? do it jeep. and there should be a gladiator SRT too

I like this truck it’s very aggressive looking and tough. Yeah I guess you could say that it looks like a “farmers truck” but it’s still cool looking. As long as it would have a diesel, and good mpg then I would have bought it. Unluckily of course it isn’t going into production.
I agree with Matt, they have been having sort of a reverse psycology lately. They’ve changed their image from an off road brand to less of an off road brand, if you get what I’m trying to say.

Yes I think I’m getting what your trying to say Jay. Jeep is no longer the very rugged off road brand it used to be. The Grand Cheroke and after have all been less fitting of Jeeps rugged image. I think they should have stuck with the Wrangler and maybe the Grand Cheroke and should have stayed that way.
Anyways I love this truck, it looks rugged fitting to Jeeps rugged image. Put a diesel and a good 4wd system into it, and I will be your first customer! But… unluckily it probably won’t go into production

sry about that last sentence I meant to say “it won’t go into production”

I’d have apologized for all of it JC2 as most of it was unintelligable. What was it you were trying to say?

the only thing is….the dakota ISN’T fit to compete in the compact/midsize truck segment…i mean come on now, the V8 that it has that it brags about all the time makes less BHP, is slower, and uses more gas than the V6’s found in the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. lame.

That is too bad…

But it is ok because when Land Rover introduces the Defender 110 pickup in the US then there will not be any competition.

Jeep is no longer the rugged brand it used to be. They should have stuck with the rugged image. This truck looks rugged like a Jeep should be.
I believe you can read, right MGBYG? Good well that was short enough for any little kid to read, I hope your American enough to read English, the American language, where the majority of us here are living. Not to be racist or anything
British Rover, do you have any info on the Defender 110? I just want to read more about it that’s all. I will do some research myself.

SFA, Freedom top, 205hp, 245 torque, 18/27 mpg… There is no reason this vehicle should not be produced. There was a MASSIVE ammount of buzz surrounding it, there was more interest in this vehicle than almost any other vehicle I have seen in recent years… and interest has been sustained.

DCX is making a HUGE mistake not making this vehicle.

Agreed with MKbruin.

John, it’s hotter than a pickup Escalade or H2. One could most certainly pick up chicks from inside one.

What asshole is using my sign-in?

Sorry JC2…not the real MGBYG up there.

Is there a web master to keep people from doing childishmeasures?

What a shame, that’s a perfect vehicle for people in the proletariat rut.

JC2 just go to the main http://www.landrover.com site and select the UK site. The defender is sold all over the world but the US so you could select any country in the world but the US basicly, all 190 something of them, but at least the UK site is in english.

The defender is sold in eight or nine different variations

Defender 90 hard top, soft top, pick up and station wagon
Defender 110 station wagon, hard top, double cab pick up and double cab high capacity.

There is also a 130 high capacity and double cab pick up.

http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/Vehicles/Defender/Models/model_comparison.htm

Hmmm kinda looks like the Hummer H3T…

God damnit. Dodge is doing great, but leave them to f*ck over us Jeep boys. My family has 5, yes 5 Jeeps! One being a Comanchee… and ever since the Dakota took over the Comanchee body, it jus has gotten uglier, other than looking like the Ram’s stepbrother…. we neeeed another Jeep pickup! What about a new fullsize J-10/J-20??? I’de buy 2!

Rats.

Liberty is one of the most fun vehicles ever made.

THAT SUCKS!!!

Good! Not even Steve McQueen could pick up anything but sheep in this car..? Jeeps have lost their appeal; where’s the tough look gone? My mother would like to drive a Jeep nowadays…Yikes!

Love those short overhangs and the diesel engine.

Hey Ridenour so you feel the Dodge Dakota is sufficient to compete in the compact pickup arena. So why did you build the Compasss – that thing gives me nightmares of the days of AMC Pacer!!!

So I get it if Consumers like it don’t build it but if we loathe it – you’ll build it.

Here’s an article date back near the beging of August…

Consumers like Caliber, loathe Compass

An impressive ten out of ten consumers on a Detroit News panel said they would recommend the Dodge Caliber to their families and friends, and six out of ten said they’d consider buying one themeless. But things weren’t as good for the Caliber’s stablemate, the Jeep Compass. Only two out of 10 said they would recommend the five-passenger Compass to their families and friends. “Jeep, to me, no longer can justify having that ‘rugged’ reputation attached to its brand name,” wrote Michael Lysaght. “That thing is ugly,” said bus driver Julian Franklin Jr. “It really is. It just didn’t do anything for you.” And consumers don’t seem as oblivious to badge engineering as one might think. “The whole time I was driving it, I kept saying to myself, ‘This is all psychological,’ ” said Amy Bowman. “‘It’s the same as the Caliber.’” The Compass “sounds like a dying zebra when you turn the ignition,” wrote panelist Paul Tassi. “It needs a lot more power for how heavy it is.”

Come on Jeep get back on track and build the Pick up! Give it a diesel engine.

Remeber it’s a Jeep thing and unless you’ve owned one most people don’t get it.

Damn it, this sucks!

If Jeep keeps on doing this crap you will no longer have the Jeep flavor! Save the plastic junk rigs for the other auto makers. Tell you what, Give us 10 more years of no corners cut real 4×4’s & I will be happy! Good motors as stout as the 4.0L. Good strong frames like the Wrangler from 87-06. Keep the live axle Jeep alive for a while with GOOD axles! Pick up a 4×4 magazine & just look at all the stuff you can get for Jeep’s now. It won’t be long till these same companys say “we will not support some new JEEP road duster with a lift kit or beefy bumper”! I wanted to see a “factory” Jeep burning up for the Hummer 1 & the Dodge Power Wagon!

I think this truck is cool looking. Jeep has issues these days. All their cars are turning soft. They are losing their rugged appeal. This pickup would have looked sweet with some nice rims and tints.

Here are some spec’s for this truck!!
The engine is a 2.8 liter diesel.
The front and rear suspension are multi-link designs for a smooth ride over all surfaces with plenty of suspension travel for capable off roading. Coilover shocks are used at all four corners for superb control. The rear incorporates dual, concentric springs for a comfortable ride while offering a 1,500-pound payload. Key off-roading specifications include a ground clearance of 13.7 inches (348 mm), break-over angle of 23.2 degrees and an approach/departure angle of 47.6 /38.0 degrees, respectively. Tires in the front and rear are 34 inches in diameter (265/75R18) mounted on 18×8 inch wheels.

For more info & images check out…

http://www.allpar.com/model/jeep/gladiator.html

It wudda/cudda been great in limited numbers with diesel. And you guys who think you need a cool ride to PU chicas need to shower and brush your teeth first. The girls who get in cars – expect to get paid.

j i m

The tooling for the front clip, cab, interior, wiring, suspension, axles, engines (3.8l and CRD), t-case all exist in the new wrangler.

They would need to develop the frame from the cab-back, a new bed, tub, rear leaf-spring suspension, rear driveshaft.

All other tooling, mounts, electrical, etc is existing. This is a BIG mistake.

I like the retro look to this Jeep. It really embodies the Jeep legend and is what most people over 40 think of when they think of Jeep history. In the past, Jeep has only been about function and far less about the asthetics of the vehicle. This would have been a great rig to start rebuilding that foundation for Jeep.

Hey Ridenour:
I know how about bring back the Jeep Scrambler.
Now – Jeep Wrangler (2 door)
Soon – Jeep Wrangler Unlimited(4 door)
Next – Jeep Scrambler (pickup)

Oh and once you’ve done that create the Jeep Resuce Concept to compete with the H2?

I find it funny they think this would make no money, yet the think the Compass will? I have had 3 friends of mine that own Jeep Wranglers LAUGH about that Soft SUV and are like, “Jeep’s gotta be kidding me??” Yet I remember when they saw this they were all for it. I think sometimes they rely to much on data from these so called clinics. My friends would not be caught dead in the ugly new Dakota. They love their Wranglers and one was ready to put money down on this when we saw it at the auto show! LOL! But I guess he can save it for a new Wrangler. Sometimes I wonder about DC….the want to build the Firepower, which has an extremely limited number that could be sold….but won’t build this, where I already know of 3 potential buyes in just a 2 mile radius….

I agree with ya Atomicbri most Jeep owners I’ve talked to Loved this new direction that Jeep seemed to be going (2005) with the “Gladiator” & at the same breath loathe Compass that will have a “Jeep” name on it. DC better be very careful in the direction they are selecting to go with Jeep – I don’t want Vanilla!
Wake up and look what Toyota just did with the FJ Cruiser – from over 50 years of Land Cruiser’s history.
Bring back a legend. “Legends don’t die, they are reincarnated” – like Toyota say’s!

FJ Cruiser? you must be joking. Toyota dropped the ball on the FJ, it should have been a removable top and smaller to compete head-to-head with the Wrangler. a 2 door based on a shortened 4 runner frame pissed on the name of the FJ nearly as bad as what Ford appears to be planning for the Bronco.

Down with the Dakota. It’s through. We want the Gladiator. Wrong move here Jeep…

1952 MG TD Wow – I’m not saying they did it totally right!
Look in 2003 Toyota unveiled the FJ concept truck with similar styling features, the overwhelming reaction was, “Build it!” They built it & they are selling like crazy.
It seems anything Retro will sell –
There just seems to be a great buzz to create this New Retro pickup there is nothing out there like it. Also despite a favorable consumer response. Damm Ridenour pull the trigger dump the Dakota if you have to & Build the Gladitor!
The other thing commented by dell is Ridenour said “he feels the Dodge Dakota is sufficient to compete in the compact pickup arena.” Ah dude the Dakota is a Mid-Size truck! And in that class Toyota’s winning in both 2wd & 4wd personally I’d dump the Dakota.
Come on DC look at the compact trucks they all look very close.
GM= Chevy=Isuzu or you have Ford=Mazda.
You add Gladiator to this mix & you’ve got something!

Whats the problem? I would’nt buy a dakota in a million years! The last truck I bought was a 1988 suberban and untill I saw the Gladiator there was’nt anything out there I wanted. Now I guess there is still nothing I would want! Least of all a Dakota!!!!!!!!!!! Get with the program DC and build somthing that people would really want!

“Dodge showed a really cute small pick up truck concept recently, how come they never built that? Id have bought the M80 but nooooooo Dodge has to do the huge, ugly gas guzzling Rampage. …..”

I remember the M80 too, that was one of my all time favorites, and it’s exactly the the kind of vehicle I’m looking for now- a small, cool, manueverable truck, I don’t want one of those massive behemoths out there. There is nothing at all with any style, is there? Certainly not the Ford Ranger, that thing’s ancient and not especially cool looking.

The Gladiator was my second choice after the M80, I was sure they would build it. Now, barring any pleasant surprises, the only small truck I might consider is the H3 truck, but even that may be too big….. we’ll see. I’d also consider an El Camino, but Chevy has no clue either.

Is there a big enough gap in the market for the small car based pick ups to return?

Some of us out here are not current Jeep/truck owners, are looking for a smaller, nimbler, decent fuel-mileage pickup that could be used for weekend camping trips or picking up a load of mulch, but during the week need to commute (not use it for work or for towing/hauling items). I’ve been looking at the Toyota pickups, but I really thought that the Gladiator might be the perfect fit. I was really attracted to the diesel engine, for both longevity and fuel mileage. If Ridenour wants me to buy a Dakota, where are the small diesel engines? Not everyone needs to tow a boat or trailer…

LOVE A SMALL PICKUP… remember of the Subaru Outback Baja? don’t worry, neither did anyone else in the buying public…

Steve, remember that had this been built, and had it used the wrangler, it also would have used the wranglers 3.8l v6, rated in the Unlimited at 205hp, 245 torque, and the unlimited EPA certified at 18/27

compared to competition, that is FRICKING SPECTACULAR. That is higher than the 3.0 bluetec in the grand cherokee. (although the GC does have 425lb ft)

its a damned shame, DCX really missed the boat here. GM, show us the way with the H3.

dont get me wrong i like the current dakota.but they are not enough option with the truck. you only have two cab styles. and i wanna know the damn idoit that decided that they was no use for a reg cab!!that was one big mistake!! two v8s one underpowed!and a puny v6..4×4 and 2×4 all ride the same hight???why not have a base reg cab dakota with option of a 4 banger engine or diesel(the new blue-tec) or both!!that jeep gladiator is kool truck we all think its a bad choice not to put it thought production.

yea the m80 was a cool little truck to bad they **** canned it tho!!!..

i absolutely would have bought this truck….i was looking forward to them announcing that it would be built…dakota is too big and yes,hard on gas.the styling isn’t as nice as previous versions either.

I think the M80 would fly off dealer lots, but where is it?

the m80 had a brother called a m81 you wanna know what it was????the dodge nitro!

Thank you British Rover for the information.

If they were to put this in production it would do good for Jeep. It would help restore Jeeps image as a very rugged, off road brand, which currently has been watered down by the Liberty, Compass, and the Commander. It would bring a few truck loyalists to Jeep if it were to enter (or re-enter) the small/compact truck segment (whatever you want to call it). This would not do good for Dodges small/compact trucks, even though they aren’t… so small. The price could have been kept down by using parts from the Jeep Wrangler, even make a four door version
Besides for the competition with Dodge which would overall hurt Chrysler this car would have been a good idea.

But the m81 was good looking, the Nitro is bland, another me too SUV, apart from the headlamps what is the real difference between the Nitro and the terribly named Liberty?

sorry I meant m80 not m81

Soft?The Commander and the Liberty are both 1st class buys.Outstandingly entertaining enjoyable vehicles.

Box-ter you are too funny STOP!

Bax-ter,Have you driven the Commander or the Liberty?I would buy both.Liberty for fun.Commander for utility.What on earth do you look for in a Jeep-type vehicle?Also what do you currently drive or would drive?

Having driven the Liberty in some serious off road torture tests I can vouch for its ‘trail rating’. It won’t match the Wrangler (stock) but it is a pretty darn good little suv.
Hope the diesel makes a come back.

Once again, a high-paid automotive type who just doesn’t get it. People LOVE Wranglers (fka CJ’s, etc). We all know how successful of a vehicle it has been for years. But there are those of us who love it, but won’t buy one because they too impractical. Give me a Wrangler with a truck bed (Gladiator), and I’ll rush to a Jeep dealer. But NOOOO. DCX says we have the Dakota. Please!! How many “Dakota” clubs are there? How many Dakota rallies? How many magazines filled with pics of Dakotas? Not that Dakotas are bad trucks, but they sure as hell aren’t exciting. In the current market if you can’t build the most reliable cars (i.e., Toyota), then at least build cars people want when they see them. Dakota?! I can’t believe someone gets paid big money to make such stupid decisions.

For those of you who love the Gladiator and would like to take a shot at getting Ridenour to reverse this decision, call Chryler at 800-925-5337. The lady I talked to was quite knowledgeable, and the call really might make a difference. It’s worth a shot. Either that, or buy a Dakota : (

DCX says the dacota is “sufficient” , its a passing grade, a C-, its enough to get by.
I wouldn’t brush up against one in a parking lot for fear of getting that junk on me!
Hey DCX, your the best sale staff your competition could ask for! I’ll take the Frontier in red. Thanks for making that decision easier.

Hows that comander selling? OH, cant answer because you’re choking on those huge, (looks a cherokee got stung by a bee and is swelling up), pieces of crap. GOOD!, choke on em. IDIOTS!

Was waiting to see the release date on the Gladiator as I’m in need of a pickup truck. As a long time Jeep owner (Currently 03 Wrangler, previously 00 Wrangler, 89 Cherokee, 88 Comanche, 82 CJ7) the release of the Gladiator would allow me to keep my purchases in the Jeep family, while getting the vehicle I will need for the next 5+ years. After reading this news, I will be trading in the Wrangler for a Toyota Tacoma. I don’t like the Dodge trucks enough to go that route.

Oh Well… I loved and have been a loyal buyer of the Jeep line for many years, but like all good things…it must come to an end. Oh, and if you see me driving a Tacoma while wearing a Jeep shirt… don’t laugh to hard.

I can not believe that Jeep is refusing to make this vehicle. Who’s leading the charge over there, a Frenchman?

they could at least offer a reg cab dakota..gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!

The Commander is great.I was very impressed.Would love to own one.A formidable truck.Liberty is also one of my favourite of all time vehicles ever made.The Liberty in a 2 door would be close to the perfect vehicle for me.Instant sale.Snap decision.I’d buy the 4 door anyway.

the new “restyled ” dakota is a ugly piece of cr*p .

i will never buy one .

if the jeep gladiator was produced , with the diesel engine and 6 speed tranny , i would very seriously consider buying one . in fact i have put off buying a new truck when i first read about the concept truck , in the hopes it would be produced soon.

“Though redesigned for ’05, sales of the Dodge Dakota are down 30.6% through July, reflecting a first-half segment-wide slide of 10.3%, according to Ward’s data.”

Too bad JEEP is owned by a company that would sacrifice customer loyalty and common sense to keep the sagging sales numbers of third rate product like ‘dukota’, by killing a truck that would be unique in the market place and has clearly been well recieved by JEEPS customers.
“We have ‘dicota’”. ya you have 30.6% more of them than you had hoped. IDIOTS!

Big mistake. I can’t believe some of the crap they are making, and then something that lives up to the Jeep name and they deny it. I give up on this company. Dakota? No way, it’s Gladiator or some foreign job. I can’t support a company that can’t see a good thing.

Wake up guys the Gladiator would outsell Dakota
4 to 1 if it were built, and would steal much
market share from its would be competetors. I would
place my bet would Eric? –Hell no its not his money
and I bet he has never SOLD RETAIL a New or USED Car, Truck, SUV or VAN in his Life- I’m sure he is a nice guy,just the wrong Guy, if he had anything to do with this decission. Hey ERIC I have $500,000. cool ones
to bet do you?

Number one JEEP did not need another suv how meny do thay think they need? A pickup whould have been nice and I thought the Gladiadiator looked bad ass but the same person who think Jeep needs more suv’s like the Compiss or a spinoff of the liberty thinks differently. Probley a damm Commi. Get rid of two suv’s and make a fullsise and a small pickup Jeep and watch the mony roll in .