The Jeep CJ10 is the rare Jeep pickup you didn't know you needed
By Wesley Wren, July 27 2018, credit www.autoweek.com
Whenever you hear about an old Jeep pickup truck, you’re likely rewarded with seeing a Gladiator or maybe a Jeep Comanche. You probably won’t see someone pull the cover back on something like this -- a CJ-10. According to Fouwheeler, the CJ-10’s platform is based on its half-ton Gladiator brother but was “altered considerably” by the time it hit production. American Motors planned for two CJ-10 varients -- 5,900 GVW and 6,700 GVW, effectively meaning a medium-duty and heavy-duty version. The CJ-10 also had the choice of three engines -- a 151 cid I4 gas engine, a 258 cid I6 gas engine and a 3.3-liter I6 diesel built by Nissan.
These odd pickups saw use around the world but weren’t a runaway success. The Jeep CJ-10 even served time as an aircraft tug, in two-wheel-drive form, until total production stopped in 1986. During its short production run, 1981-86, the CJ-10 bounced around to different factories. The CJ-10 started its production in South Bend, Indiana, before moving south to Vehiculos Automores Mexicanos in 1983. The two-wheel-drive tugs were assembled in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Powered by a Nissan diesel engine, this Jeep CJ-10 would look right at home next to your Jeep Scrambler. This particular CJ-10 is a 1985 model, with a Nissan diesel engine under its hood. The power goes to its four-wheel-drive system by way of a 727 Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission.
Someone imported this CJ-10 before beautifully restoring it to its current condition. The truck was even featured in the Fourwheeler article mentioned above. The rub? It’s for sale for $31,500 on Craigslist. While that’s cheaper than a new Wrangler Rubicon, and likely the new Jeep pickup, it’s still a princely sum for an ‘80s Jeep. Now, considering how rare it is, it’s bound to fall into the hands of another Jeep collector.
Source: Autoweek.com
