The Jeep Scrambler is not a truck, it’s a Jeep.

I want to get this straight right now because I am already starting to see truck blogs covering the new Jeep Scrambler because they know it is going to have a lot of interest and it’s good for their website. But we need to remind them that the Jeep Scrambler is 100% Jeep.

One of my best friends has a 2015 F-150 Ecoboost Crew Cab and it’s built like an off-road limousine. I love the truck and I really pushed him into it and he is very excited about it and I am excited for him. It is a great size for a family, it hauls a ton of stuff, the inside is super luxurious, and it’s very quick. That being said, even with the FX4 off-road package, I’m pretty sure my stock Jeep TJ is more trail capable than the F150 could ever be. And that’s ok. It’s impossible to build a vehicle that can literally do everything for everyone, so if my friend’s tradeoff is he has to rent a Jeep a few times a year in Moab, so be it. If I had to drive more than 20 miles a day I might not be driving a Wrangler with a soft top. We all have our priorities.

So this is what I predict for the future. When the Jeep Scrambler finally hits the automotive editors and reviewers, the truck guys will be comparing this to what they know, trucks. They are used to Dodge Rams, F150s, Silverados, and bigger models like F250s etc. They care about TOWING, ROOMINESS, and BIG KNOBS! They talk PAYLOAD, DISPLACEMENT, and COMFORT, and I totally understand that.

However, the Jeep Scrambler is not a truck, it’s a Jeep. It’s designed to tackle real off-road situations. It’s designed to be hosed out when the stream you crossed was deeper than you thought. It’s designed for utility first and comfort second. Jeeps have come a long way just in my lifetime, hell, I feel like he 4-door is still a new idea, and now we are going to add a bed to that idea! And it will have pros and cons just like every iteration of any iconic vehicle has.

I’m thinking very hard about pushing back mods on my 2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler and starting to save up for the Jeep Scrambler. I have owned 5 Jeeps in my life, but I have also owned a full-size Bronco, Expedition and two F150s. The Jeep Scrambler seems like a good mix for my love of fun and solid Utah off-roading and my weekly duties as a father and amateur repairman. But let’s get one thing clear…I want to stay in the Jeep family, not in the truck family. If the Jeep Scrambler is handicapped on the trails, I’ll be looking at a Jeep JKU. If the Scrambler costs over $30,000 for a base model, I’ll be looking at a used JKU. Time will only tell but I am very excited that Jeep is adding the Scrambler to the line up.

Please visit JLWranglerForums for continuing coverage on the all new Jeep Scrambler. Also, special thanks to Chris Doane who took these awesome spy shots of the Jeep Scrambler in Detroit.