JK8 Conversion...

Dreaming of a Jeep Pick Up

by Rebecca J. Decker

Psst...want a Jeep pickup? Has it seemed like an impossible dream since Jeep has put off building one for years? Well, sometimes dreams can come true, especially if you already have a four-door JK Unlimited. All you need is a conversion kit from Mopar, someone to install it for you, and some extra cash.

Sam Peters from Roanoke, Virginia tells us how it can be done:

"Of course it started as a 2008 stock Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. It's loaded with everything like Factory remote lockers, remote sway-bay, 4:11 gears, tilt, cruise, pwr locks, pwr windows, a/c and factory GPS. Then the Mopar JK8 Freedom conversion was done. The Jeep was factory paint matched to the detonator yellow when finished."

"This particular JK8 conversion was done by a licensed Chrysler Dealer who originally special ordered the Jeep. It was done to Jeep specifications and done right. The dealership owner drove this Jeep from brand new til 2011 with his dealership doing the conversion in 2011. I bought the Jeep and was considered the only personal owner at that point. (1 owner) other than the dealer!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"My 4x4 shop installed our 4" Zone lift which we turned into a 5" lift. We installed 2.2 shocks upside down, adjustable track-bar and of course the sway-bar can be remotely disconnected from the factory being a Rubicon! We didn't feel too many other mod's needed to be done at that point with it already being a Rubi.

We then installed New 37" BFGoodrich KM-2's on New 17x9 XD Rockstars! I cut the factory flares into flat flares which I taped off into the shape I wanted, then cut. It's a service we offer to those who don't want to buy Bushwacker flares and the factory cut flares work out great if you cut them right!"

Sam's beautiful converted Rubicon is for sale at our SellAJeep.com site:

http://www.sellajeep.com/mjs/sale/ad066/adj066.html

Here is our Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited that's had the Mopar/Jeep JK8 Freedom package added which turns this 4 door into a Truck. Very unique and Rare! Yes, it's a true Rubicon also which adds all the options including Dana 44 axles, 4:11 gears, lockers etc. All power options as well as factory Nav. system. Jeep is flawless with zero defects, and perfect Car-Fax!

 

Very unique and rare! True Rubicon which adds all the options including Dana 44 axles, 4:11 gears, lockers etc. All power options as well as factory Nav. system. Jeep is flawless with zero defects, and perfect Car-Fax!

 

Now that you've seen how it can be done, let's look at how you, too, can have a Jeep pickup truck.

First, the cost. The MSRP is $5,499 which does not include installation. The part number is 77070049. There is a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty covering the materials and the labor and workmanship if the installation is performed at a Chrysler Group dealership - Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram. Delivery may take 30 days to arrive since the kits are built to order.

Mopar JK8 Body Weld Kit Complete (All parts are sold together in one complete kit):

Freedom Panels: Fiberglass panels over front seats.

Hardtop: Made from fiberglass, the hard top may be removed and features a sliding rear window.

Bulkhead: The bulkhead for the kit is made of fiberglass and separates the cab from the bed of the truck, and permanently attaches to the vehicle.

Bed: The spacious 44-inch by 50-inch bed features strong steel construction.

Inner/Outer Bed Panels: Bed panels are stamped sheet metal and provide durability and functionality.

Sport Bar Extensions: New sport bar extensions replace the rear portion of the sport bar that is removed for the conversion. These bars complement the structure of the vehicle.

 

This conversion is not for the faint of heart. But if you have the skills and the time, it's an exciting project to complete. If you need some help, however, you can expect to pay $5,000-$6,000 in labor. The entire project from start to finish including painting can take from 12-16 hours. Once completed, the conversion is permanent.

 

 

From the Chrylser Press Release:

Conversion Process

Two processes are involved in the conversion from a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a two-door pickup truck: disassembly and reassembly.

In disassembly, each rear door is removed. Next, the rear-bumper assembly, hard top and Freedom Panels are removed, followed by the rear portion of the interior, which includes seats and carpeting. Exterior trim parts are removed and preserved; inner and outer body panels are removed by drilling out the spot welds, which allows the panels to fall away and avoids having to cut into the sheet metal. The rear sport bar is cut away and removed along with B-pillars.

Reassembly into a two-door pickup truck begins with installation of the B-pillars, cross member, floor-pan assembly (truck bed), and the inner and outer quarter panels (welding is involved in assembly). Next to be installed is the bulkhead reinforcement assembly and sport bar extensions, and finally the installation of the fiberglass bulkhead itself. The kit, with components delivered e-coated, is then prepped for paint. Windows are installed to the hard top, which is then installed on the vehicle. Exterior trim parts are then reinstalled.

Here is a video of the conversion process:

Jeep JK8 Conversion Time Lapse from the Chrysler Group LLC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPTVcyBBoqk

Places to purchase the conversion kit:

New JK8 Truck Conversion Kit!!

http://www.moparsupercenter.com/new-jk8-truck-conversion-kit-.html

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12503_8000_07.htm

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/moparr-jk-8-pickup-conversion-kit.html

Thank you to Sam for sharing this great JK8 conversion project with us. Check out the website for his Extreme 4X4 and Hobby Center in Roanoke, Virginia:

http://www.xtreme4x4center.com/

Photos courtesy of Sam Peters except bottom photo by Chrysler LLC

Rebecca J. Decker is a writer and web developer for JeepTruck.com and SellAJeep.com