Quirky Jeep Scrambler Influences Modern-Day Jeep JT
The 1980’s: quite possibly one of the coolest periods for American trucks. Yeah, drivers cringed at emissions control and a long-running era of under-powered engines carried through the decade. But it’s not all about what’s under the hood. Performance cars may have been suffering, yet some of the coolest pickup trucks to date were born during this ten-year stretch. Square bodies were everywhere, flaunting radical paint schemes that were complemented by some of the best advertising the automotive world has ever seen. Even Jeep was in the truck game. And they weren’t just running with the full-sized trucks either. Oh no, during this era, we witnessed the birth of the CJ-8 Scrambler.
The OG Jeep Pickup
The CJ-8 Scrambler was a pickup version of the CJ-7. Naturally, this wasn’t designed to play with the full-sized trucks of the time, since Jeep already offered a full-sized option known as the J-series (something south of successful). Rather, it was designed as Jeep’s retaliation to the invasion of mini trucks coming from the east. Wisely, Jeep moved on to compete with more suitable mid-sized trucks. Though, as time would tell unfortunately, this CJ rehash only lived for a few short years—four to be exact (1981-1985).
But there was no holding back on the production of the Scrambler. It came with two engine options. The smaller was a 4-cylinder that produced a whopping 85 hp. The larger, a 4.2 inline six making 110 ponies. This may seem under-powered, and it is, but it was typical for the time. And in the CJ Jeeps, it was enough to get the job done. In the first year, one would only be able to purchase it with either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. In the second year of production, a 5-speed manual was introduced. Like the CJ-7, this was a part time 4-wheel-drive with manual locking hubs.
Not So Different
This Jeep oddity actually shared many similarities to the CJ-7. The styling features were the same; and throughout the short lifespan, it shared a lot of the same mechanical components. The difference being the Scrambler was considerably larger than the CJ-7. Actually, it was approximately 2’ longer and the wheel base was right around ten inches bigger.
Like the CJ-7, the Scrambler came with a removable top. Throughout its production, drivers could get their hands on a hardtop, soft top, or a bikini top (with the top, it resembled a longer CJ-7). It was clear that this model took some pointers from its fellow American, the Ford Bronco. The Scrambler was like a mash-up of a SUV version with the top on, and something of a short bed pick-up when the top was removed.
Little, But Fierce
No, this wasn’t a big powerful truck capable of high payloads. And it may not have been at the front of the pack for the in-crowd. But it served its purpose. The Jeep Scrambler was a compact, nimble 4×4 that could go off the beaten trail with a considerable amount of cargo packed in.
Some saw even more useful purposes for this vehicle. There was another version of the Scrambler available, which was dubbed as the World Van. This option was equipped with a steel top. The US postal Service ordered over 200 of them to be converted to right-hand drive and was utilized in Alaska. During its short production years, Jeep managed to pump out just under 30,000 Scramblers. Though technically produced in 1986, it’s really considered the run off of 1985 since only an approximate 128 went to market.
So… Where’d It Go?
So, why was the quirky Scrambler killed off? Well, the year 1986 was the end of the CJ series. The subsequent birth of the YJ had a direct influence. Also, similar to the J-series trucks, sales just didn’t support its continuation. This could have something to do with the fact that it was just poorly marketed to the masses. It was regularly left out of the Jeep line-up, so few actually knew about this fabled creature. Also, the late 1980’s was huge for the Jeep brand. In 1987 they were adopted by the Chrysler family, and play-it-safe tactics were the reason a YJ version of the Scrambler wasn’t introduced. (Too bad, because today these gems go for a considerable market price!)
Dusting off a Hidden Gem
Scramblers aren’t for everyone, but you’re never going to pull up and not have things to talk about when it comes to this truck—guaranteed. The uniqueness and usefulness of the Scrambler is all too great. And as contributing writer and Keystone Marketing Coordinator Kris Lavery always says, the Jeep badge is the ultimate “customized thing”. Although it was only four years old when it was killed off, the influence is still at large. The Jeep badge is getting ready to release its JT pickup in 2019, which will be dubbed—you guessed it—the Jeep Scrambler. It, too, will feature a removable top, both hard and soft.
We think it’s great to see Jeep go back to their archives and revive one of their most unique unsung heroes. Perhaps the world just wasn’t ready for the Scrambler first time around, and now its true moment has come. As the saying goes, “the star that burns twice as bright lasts half as long.” The Jeep Scrambler was but a flicker in the 4×4 night sky of the 80’s, but it sure was bold enough to live on.
