If you see an old truck in a TV show, movie, or country music video, it’s probably a Ford or a Chevrolet of some kind. There seem to be a million Hallmark Channel flicks in which a career-focused woman moves back to her hometown and falls back in love with her high school sweetheart who’s the strong, silent type and drives a “bumpside” Ford or a “Square Body” Chevy pickup. Those are cool, but it’s a shame you don’t see more trucks like our Pick of the Day (unless you love watching the 1996 movie “Twister” over and over again). You can find this 1985 Jeep J-10 pickup listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Concord, North Carolina.
Under various owners, the Jeep brand has a long history of making trucks. For the 1963 model year, it introduced the J-series line of Gladiator full-size pickups: the J-200 with a 120-inch wheelbase and the J-300 with a 126-inch wheelbase. Both used the same platform, front-end styling, and powertrain as the Wagoneer. According to Jeep, the Gladiator name was dropped after 1971, leaving just the J-series nomenclature, which changed over the years along with wheelbase lengths. Starting in 1974, the J-series lineup consisted of the J-10, the J-20, and the heavy-duty J-30, which was available as a dually.
This Almond Beige 1985 Jeep J-10 Pioneer comes from late in the J-series’ run, which ended in 1988, leaving the XJ Cherokee-based Comanche as Jeep’s sole pickup model. As it sits, it looks ready for a mix of work and play. Under the slotted grille is a pair of aftermarket fog lights for not-so-clear conditions.
The big 360ci V8 puts its power to the road or trail through a TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic and a Jasper replacement dual-range transfer case. The toolbox right behind the cab (and directly above the auxiliary fuel tank) can hold tools to use at a job site or a campground. Whatever gets thrown in the long bed—whether it’s construction materials or camping gear—won’t scratch the bed of the floor thanks to its protective rubber mat. It also won’t go anywhere if it’s held in place using the bedside tie-down points.
The interior has been refreshed with new tan vinyl on the bench seat. Air conditioning and an AM/FM/cassette radio make coming home from a hot day at work or the beach more pleasant.
The Jeep J-series trucks may not get as much media attention as their Ford and Chevy rivals, but you can make sure everyone on your block sees one. How? By buying this 1985 Jeep J-10 for $34,995.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
