Jeep and Mopar collaborate on seven new concept vehicles for this year's annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari.
No eggs or rabbits
As far as real Jeep aficionados are concerned, you can forget about peeps, furry rabbits, and spending time hunting for Easter eggs. Because for a few thousand Jeep owners, Easter break is all about trekking out to the Utah town of Moab for the annual week-long Moab Easter Jeep Safari.
Since 2002, Jeep and FCA's parts division have collaborated on sixty-two concept vehicles expressly for those Jeep fans in attendance. To help commemorate the event, now in its 51st year, Jeep and Mopar have developed seven more concept vehicles. This year, they range from the heritage-celebrating Jeep Grand One to a sand-inspired, Hemi-powered, gasser-styled Wrangler.
Let the fun begin.
2017 Easter Jeep Safari concepts
Jeep Grand One
Based on a 1993 ZJ, the Grand One is Jeep's way of marking the 25th anniversary of the original Grand Cherokee.
Powered by a 5.2-liter V-8 engine that's mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the Grand One features an extended wheelbase and comes with retro front and rear fascias and 18-inch lace-style wheels wrapped with 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires; fender flares, and subtle wood-grain body-side trim.
The chassis features a two-inch suspension lift, while the front and rear axles are equipped with selectable locking differentials.
Inside, the carpet has been replaced by a spray-in bedliner, while accessories include an "old-school" car phone.
Jeep Safari
Jeep describes the Wrangler-based Safari, with a reduced overall length for better performance on trails, as "family-focused." Its features include a translucent hard-top roof panel and a two-level aluminum cargo rack that incorporates a drone. The windows are constructed of lightweight aluminum and clear vinyl and are hinged to open like a cabinet, while the doors incorporate zipper openings to let in fresh air.
Special exterior bits include a raked windshield, "boatsided" rocker panels, LED headlamps, and custom LED tail lamps and parking/turn lamps.
Custom interior equipment includes an instrument panel-mounted iPad as well as two rear bucket seats which are rotated outboard, enabling rear seat occupants to view out the side of the vehicle.
Powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic, drivetrain upgrades include front and rear Dana 44 axles with selectable differential lockers and 2-inch lift, 35-inch BFGoodrich tires on custom 18-inch wheels, full-length skid plates, steel front and rear bumpers, an integrated on-board air system, upgraded brakes and a custom cold air intake.
Jeep Quicksand
Powered by a 392 Hemi engine with eight-stack injection mated to a six-speed Getrag manual transmission, the Wrangler-based Quicksand features a "peekaboo" hood cutout and gasser-style downturned open headers.
Exterior modifications include a longer wheelbase, a trimmed front and rear body, and a chopped hard top and windshield. The interior, described as "minimalist," includes red accents, low-back front bucket seats, flat aluminum door panels, tilt-out windshield glass and a chrome roll bar.
Chassis revisions include a staggered tire setup (something never seen before on any Jeep concept), BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires (32-inch in the front and 37-inch in the rear) mounted on18-inch vintage “kidney bean” alloys, and coilover shocks.
Additional features include a concealed Warn winch in the front-mounted Moon tank and a recovery rope replacing the traditional drag racers rear parachute.
Jeep Trailpass
With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Compass-based Trailpass features a 1.5-inch lift kit and Continental TerrainContact tires wrapped around 18-inch alloy wheels.
Exterior enhancements include Gloss Black mirror caps, a hood graphic, side stripes, tinted headlamps and tail lamps, a Mopar/Thule roof basket with roof bag and traction mats, and cross rails and rock rails.
Inside, the look is completed with Katzkin leather seats, body-color bezel accents and all-weather floor mats.
Jeep Switchback
The Wrangler Unlimited-based Switchback is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Off-road upgrades include front and rear Dana 44 axles, a 4-inch lift with Remote Reservoir Fox shocks, cast differential covers, and 10th Anniversary steel front and rear bumpers. Additional enhancements include a Rubicon winch, grille, winch guard and cold air intake; an axle-back exhaust, 17-inch wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires.
The exterior features a one-off hood and half doors and concept "Safari" hard top and roof rack. High-top fender flares, black fuel door and tail lamp guards, reinforced swing gate hinge, and oversized spare tire carrier complete the look.
The lighting system consists of an LED off-road windshield light bar, LED off-road A-pillar lights, LED tail lights, and LED head lights and fog lights.
Interior trim consists of Katzkin leather seats, body-color bezel accents, sport bar grab handles, a spray-in bed liner floor and all-weather mats. There's also a swing gate storage rack with first aid and roadside safety kits in the storage area.
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Jeep CJ66
The Jeep CJ66 made its debut at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Powered by a 383 horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi engine/6-speed manual transmission combination with a Mopar cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust, the CJ66 consists of a Jeep Wrangler TJ frame, 1966 Jeep Wrangler CJ universal Tuxedo Park body, and elements of the Wrangler JK.
Drivetrain upgrades include front and rear Dana 44 Crate axles, 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock wheels, a 2-inch lift kit and a two-way air system to quickly air up or air down tires.
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Finished in Copper Canyon, the exterior features oversized fender flares, 10th Anniversary Wrangler JK Rubicon Bumper Kits, skid and front bumper plates and custom rock rails.
The hood, bezel, latch, and CJ66 graphic are finished in matte black, as is the seven-slot Jeep grille and headlight bezels. LED amber fog lights, a Warn winch, and a fuel filler cap shifted to the inside fender wheel well complete the look.
Custom interior touches include Dodge Viper seats, concept seat risers, a custom-built roll cage, a bikini top netting, Wrangler JK center console and shifter, and Mopar instrument panel gauges and all-weather mats.
Jeep Luminator
The Wrangler-based Luminator features an advanced off-road lighting system from Magneti Marelli that includes magnetic underbody rock lights, 7-inch LED projector headlights, LED tail lights, and A-pillar-mounted LED spot lights. It also includes upper bumper LED auxiliary lighting with steering angle-controlled cornering fog lamps, and LED auxiliary spot lights behind the windshield. Additional lighting includes LED versions of the standard Wrangler 100 mm fog lamp and grille-mounted turn signals.
A scanning LED light bar with active spot and dynamic following technology, is located on the hood while, in back, the center high-mount stop light serves a dual function as a scouting/trail lamp with four-color LEDs that, in addition to a rear flood light (white), indicate stop (red), 1-3 miles per hour (amber), and 3-25 mph (green)
Additional elements include a roof-mounted solar panel, a drone landing pad with lighted drone and removable spare tire storage case, and a driver’s side rear window touchscreen linked to GPS and internet services.
