Automotive WI - Chrysler develops 4x4 SUVs without Jeep

In a scenario where Jeep is under a surviving AMC or ends up being owned by Austin/BMC, how does Chrysler go about developing suitable Jeep-like 4x4 SUV vehicles?

AFAIK am ignorant of Chrysler was capable of developing in-house Jeep analogues or whether they would initially rely on rebadged 4x4 SUVs (e.g. Mitsubishi-derived models) before developing their own.
 
Was there not the ramcharger? (Equiv to full size bronco/blazer (or smaller suburban for gm) it had the 318 and 360 up to 93 but was not as popular as ford/gm i think. )

But they had no smallish one. Maybe develop a smaller one based on dodge ram 50 (rebadged mitsubishi ) or dakota. If dakota size offer a smaller engine (4 cyl) / 3.9 and maybe 318/360 for bigger engine one?
 

Driftless

Donor
Dodge had a long history of 4x4 light trucks going back to WW2, produced in a wide variety of configurations: including pickups, staff cars, ambulances, etc. I'd think they could have either come up in-house with a smaller footprint vehicle, or teamed up with Mitsubishi to create that Jeep/Bronco/Scout counterpart. Maybe buy the Scout unit off of International Harvester?
 
I think they will first figure out if there actually is a market for an all-wheel vehicle that isn't already covered by the Ford Bronco, the Original Jeep and the different manufacturers of ATVs. In the end they might just conclude that a 4x4 version of their heavy duty pickups is all they really need and leave the pure 'jeep'-market to the other guys.
 

SwampTiger

Banned
Dodge WC24 Combat Car 4x4 and 6x6 trucks used in WW2. Continued development with the armed services through till today. The early attempts with full size Blazers, Broncos and Ramchargers of the 70's and 80's. Then, develop a softer, but still capable 4x4 wagon style vehicle in the 80's. Or develop an all-wheel drive variant of the mini-van. Either would just require the vision of AMC.
 
in 1968 Chrysler proposed a high mobility 4X4, pretty much a Unimog with a Chrysler V8
8IDrPHZ.jpg


Didn't go anywhere.

But from the '50s thru 1966, Dodge had the Town Wagon, in 2WD or 4X4

165pwtwgree.jpg

a bit bigger than a Bronco or Scout, but smaller than IH Travelall, Jeep Wagoneer or GM Suburban.

Missing from the lineup till the Ramcharger in 1974, after Chevy had success with the Pickup based Blazer since 1971
 
Your Crysler v8 4x4 in profile looks very like the land rover 101 forward control
220px-Land_Rover_101_-_geograph.org.uk_-_321220.jpg


Being American your crysler will of course have been on the steroids!!
 
AFAIK am ignorant of Chrysler was capable of developing in-house Jeep analogues or whether they would initially rely on rebadged 4x4 SUVs (e.g. Mitsubishi-derived models) before developing their own.
Can you clarify what exactly needs to be developed? The 4x4 wasn’t exactly rocket science, and the SUV bit doesn’t seem like it would be either. I think Jeep bought in most of the complicated bits from Dana, in fact. If not there is the Ferguson AWD system that I think was demoed on a charger, or they could licence something from VW (Munga/Ilti) or Steyr (Gelandewagen) if Land Rover aren’t interested.

I mean, if International Harvester of all people can sell the Scout and Travelall for 20+ years it seems like Chrysler should have no problems.
 

Driftless

Donor
I mean, if International Harvester of all people can sell the Scout and Travelall for 20+ years it seems like Chrysler should have no problems.

The Scout/Travelall customer base was mostly farmers and ranchers, consistent with I-H's strength (back then) in farm equipment. The Scout was pretty bare bones (as I remember), but it had a reputation for durability. Have Chrysler snap up that division in the mid-70's, as I-H is having financial problems. Give the Scout some new sheet metal and a few gewgaws, and it could be an interesting alternative to Jeep; and a lead in to a new market "Get 'em up Scout!" could have been a marketing tagline.
 
The Scout/Travelall customer base was mostly farmers and ranchers, consistent with I-H's strength (back then) in farm equipment. The Scout was pretty bare bones (as I remember), but it had a reputation for durability. Have Chrysler snap up that division in the mid-70's, as I-H is having financial problems. Give the Scout some new sheet metal and a few gewgaws, and it could be an interesting alternative to Jeep; and a lead in to a new market "Get 'em up Scout!" could have been a marketing tagline.

IH built around 500k Scouts from 1960 to 1980, while Jeep made 600k CJ-5 from 1954 and 1983, and 375k CJ-7 from 1976 to 1986.

IH wasn't in poor shape till 1979, by time when Chrysler was in no shape to buy anybody
 

Driftless

Donor
IH built around 500k Scouts from 1960 to 1980, while Jeep made 600k CJ-5 from 1954 and 1983, and 375k CJ-7 from 1976 to 1986.

IH wasn't in poor shape till 1979, by time when Chrysler was in no shape to buy anybody

Could Chrysler have made a worthwhile purchase offer earlier, like the mid 60's?
 
In 1979, Chrysler just got a $1.5B loan to avoid bankruptcy. AMC was bought in 1986.

By that time, IH had stopped making passenger vehicles, and the Ag stuff (along with all IH trademarks)spun off to CASE, and was now Navistar making big trucks only
 
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