Would the Wrangler (4 dr) and the Gladiator make good military garrison vehicles?

[N9NWO]

Now that Jeep has a diesel for the Gladiator and the 4 door Wrangler, how would they do as garrison (lighter duty) military vehicles? We would still have to have the light tactical vehicles that are armored.

When I was in Afghanistan we used the diesel Toyota truck (Hi-Lux) for on base but switched to the armor tactical vehicles for field use. Could the military use the Jeep in the same manner here on CONUS bases?

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[KVJ]

Hell Yah!

 

[CerOf]

Ingress/egress from the back doors is a tight squeeze.

 

[N9NWO]

Ingress/egress from the back doors is a tight squeeze.

So no overweight generals

 

[robinja]

A couple things in the works...

 

[Bbannongmu]

J8 Jeeps have been purchased for some limited Special Forces duty through Hendricks Defense. These are JK based but have Dana 60 rear axles. I’ve seen pics of a J8 in a CH47 Helo. The Egyptian and Israelis both use a J8 version for their militaries. The Chinese military used a J8 too. Some variants are armored. The Popemobile is a stretched armored J8.
I belive these are all 2.8L VM diesel or a Chinese knock off. Seems like these would be so much cheaper COTS alternatives to the current tactical vehicles.

 

[N9NWO]

J8 Jeeps have been purchased for some limited Special Forces duty through Hendricks Defense. These are JK based but have Dana 60 rear axles. I’ve seen pics of a J8 in a CH47 Helo. The Egyptian and Israelis both use a J8 version for their militaries. The Chinese military used a J8 too. Some variants are armored. The Popemobile is a stretched armored J8.
I belive these are all 2.8L VM diesel or a Chinese knock off. Seems like these would be so much cheaper COTS alternatives to the current tactical vehicles.

The big reason that the light tactical is so expensive is the armor. To up armor a Gladiator would be another $100,000.

 

[Bbannongmu]

The big reason that the light tactical is so expensive is the armor. To up armor a Gladiator would be another $100,000.

So if a J8 costs $75k and another $100k to armor it we’d be at $175k. A JLTV costs over $465k and requires a specialized inventory of parts. Not that we eliminate the JLTV but there is probably some room in the tactical fleet and some missions that need a smaller, cheaper, lighter, helo transportable, and more “disposable” vehicles that use COTS parts.

 

[Blade1668]

A simple answer is yes, it's been done before. It will be done again but some palms will have to be greased for it to be Jeeps. I remember back in early 90s the TMP motor pool full of Jeep MJ's and XJ's. for non-tactical use. (I went through hell at times being my MJ was just like a "TMP" truck and routinely got harassed by TMP personnel, Range Control and MP's over it.) During the same time our company had a rattle trap pickup that was donated to the company for general use stuff. It got passed from 1 Sgt to next or somebody company.
Back in 99-01, I talked with some top leadership about using some lower costing non-mil spec vehicles for training as a cost saving. It should have been done then since the Div. was already doing the same thing with Div. combat vehicles most of the time, only used on the post for local training.
During the Clinton years we did a lot of "truck assault" after the air lift part would be nixed to save $$.
a long answer to a short question.. ?

 

[Smittie]

Ingress/egress from the back doors is a tight squeeze.

So no overweight generals

Trying to get in and out of the back doors in full battle rattle with an M16 (vice an M4) would be a bit like birthing elephants, even for APFT 300 soldiers. For a garrison vehicle that might be OK.

 

[HjStrater]

FCA missed their opportunity to make this a thing. Chevy ZR2 won the contract.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34518940/gm-4x4-colorado-based-military/

 

[Freebooter]

We had some Chevy Blazers when I was in the Army, mid 1980's. Would have loved a Wrangler or Gladiator!

 

[KurtP]

They absolutely would. Ive used the solid axle 70 series land cruisers operationally and they rock. which is in many ways what the Gladiator is...the pick up 70 series land cruiser, and its the exact reason i bought it.

 

[Smittie]

So if a J8 costs $75k and another $100k to armor it we’d be at $175k. A JLTV costs over $465k and requires a specialized inventory of parts. Not that we eliminate the JLTV but there is probably some room in the tactical fleet and some missions that need a smaller, cheaper, lighter, helo transportable, and more “disposable” vehicles that use COTS parts.

I wonder if that $100K includes a complete redesign of the frame, suspension and drive train to handle the added weight and drastic changes to handling? This was an interesting problem with the HMMWV's that got up armor kits in '05-'06. Even for a medium protection upgrade, there's going to be a fair amount of engineering required.

I don't disagree with Bbannongmu. There is room in the tactical vehicle inventory for something lighter, faster, and more agile that still offers some protection. And I agree that being able to use COTS parts as much as possible would be a huge boon.

We worked with the Australian Navy. Almost everything on the interior of the ship was COTS. And their ships were more comfortable.

 

[Mayhem 6]

They absolutely would. Ive used the solid axle 70 series land cruisers operationally and they rock. which is in many ways what the Gladiator is...the pick up 70 series land cruiser, and its the exact reason i bought it.

Same. The TLC70 trucks are legit...

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