Jeep unveils seven special Mopar-prepared concept vehicles for the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari.
Exploring for more than eggs
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 Chrysler's parts division have collaborated on no fewer than 55 concept vehicles expressly for those Jeep aficionados in attendance. To help commemorate the event now in its 50th year, Jeep and Mopar have collaborated on seven more concept vehicles ranging from the heritage cab-over FC 150 to the Hellcat-powered Trailcat.
2016 Easter Jeep Safari concepts
The seven new concepts, revealed this week, are as follows:
Jeep Crew Chief 715
The Jeep Chief 715 pays homage to WWII-era Jeep military service vehicles, specifically the Kaiser M715.
Based on the Wrangler Unlimited to take advantage of those two extra doors and additional passenger capacity, and powered by a 3.6-liter V6, it features a "Tactical Green" paint job, steel front and rear bumpers with a winch mounted on both, rock rails, 20-inch beadlock wheels and 40-inch NDT military tires.
The interior features leather seats with canvas inserts, "aircraft-inspired" control switches, a centrally-located navigational compass and all-weather floor mats. There's also an on-board air system with a hard-mounted quick-disconnect fitting for airing up.
It has a 4-inch lift kit with Fox 2.0 reservoir shocks, front and rear Dana 60 axles, a brake master cylinder upgrade, cold air intake and modified exhaust.
Jeep Shortcut
The Jeep Shortcut concept, meant to evoke a 1950's-era Jeep CJ-5, is based on the Wrangler with a body shortened by 26 inches.
Featuring a custom grille, hood, tailgate, wheel flares and chrome front and rear bumpers, it features a special exhaust and17-inch red steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires.
The interior features low-backed leather bucket seats with plaid inserts, four point safety cage and a red ball shifter.
It has a two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, front and rear Dana 44 axles and is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Renegade Commander
The Jeep Renegade-based Commander is finished in Flourescent Gray with a MySky open-air roof with removable panels, custom body decal, front and rear auxiliary lights, rock rails, skid plates and modified exhaust. It's also equipped with a 2-inch lift kit and 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels wrapped with 29.5-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires.
Inside, it’s been outfitted with Katzkin seat covers, body color bezel accents, a pedal kit and off-road kit.
The Renegade Commander is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Low.
Jeep Comanche
The "Beige Against the Machine"-finished Comanche, a nod to past Jeep pick-em-ups and is based on the Renegade with a wheelbase stretched 6 inches. It features a satin black hood, unique lower front fascia, winch, steel rear bumper, soft top and bed-mounted spare tire. It rides on 16-inch wheels and 32-inch BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires.
Inside, it’s been outfitted with custom seat covers, pedal covers and door sill guards, while its off-road cred comes courtesy of rock rails, a 2-inch lift kit and a front-mounted winch.
The Desert Hawk is powered by the 2.0-liter diesel engine mated to a 9-speed automatic t with Jeep Active Drive Lock.
Jeep FC 150
We know you want this one. Mopar took a 960 Jeep FC 150 and mounted it on a modified 2005 Wrangler TJ chassis. Those mods include a Dana 44 front axle, Dana 60 rear axle and 17-inch white steel wheel and 33-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires.
Meanwhile, vinyl seat covers, a custom vintage duck hunting patterned headliner, CB radio and analog compass highlight the interior.
The FC 150 "heritage vehicle" is powered by a 4.0-liter PowerTech I-6 and is mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Trailcat
Talk about your ultimate off-road machine, how about a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi Hellcat V-8 engine under the hood mated to a 6-speed manual with a custom shifter ball featuring an embossed Hellcat logo? We thought so.
Designers lengthened the Wrangler's wheelbase by 12 inches and chopped the windshield by two inches. Outside, it has a vented power-dome hood satin black grille, LED headlamps and fog lamps and rock rails. There also a Hellcat decal on the front quarter panels and a "Trailcat" decal on the hood.
Inside, the seats are sport buckets from the Dodge Viper made from carbon fiber and featuring Katzkin leather covers with accent stitching.
Off-road prowess is enhanced with steel front and rear bumpers, 17-inch beadlock wheels and 39.5-inch BF Goodrich Krawler T/A KX tires, front and rear Dana 60 axles and Fox shocks.
Jeep Trailstorm
Based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the camo-wrapped Trailstorm's exterior enhancements include half doors, a winch guard, satin black grille, LED headlights and fog lights, high top fenders, power-dome vented hood, off-road rock rails, a concept fast-back soft top, tail light guards, tire carrier and a Mopar fuel filler door. Finishing the exterior upgrades are a steel front and rear Rubicon bumper.
Off-road capability is enhanced with a big brake kit, 17-inch off-road wheels, 37-inch tires, a 2-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, a winch, and Dana 44 front and rear axles.
The "bedlined" interior features Katzkin seat covers and all-weather floor mats.
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.