It is that time of the year, when Jeep and Mopar go mad and build some crazy concept SUVs for the annual Easter Jeep Safari which is held every year at Moab, Utah in USA. And this year, it is the Jeep Gladiator which will not only make its Easter Safari debut but also serves as the muse for all six concept vehicles. This will be the 53rd edition of the Easter Jeep Safari and it is scheduled to be held from April 13 to April 21. All six concepts use a vast variety of production and prototype performance part from Mopar (Mobility & Parts) sub-brand of Jeep and will be ready for hard-core off-roading.
(It is a classic overlander SUV, based on the Jeep Gladiator)
First up is the Jeep Wayout. The company calls it as a true overlanding vehicle, which uses the class-leading payload of the Gladiator and give it a proper tent along with a big canopy. There is also a custom bed rack which can fit two adults. Other features include amber LED task lights, auxiliary fuel tanks and an ARB on-board air system with body mounted quick-disconnect air supply line. The Wayout sits on 37-inch mud-terrain tyres on 17-inch steel wheels. Additionally there is a 2-inch high-lift kit which further increases the ground clearance on the Wayout. Furthermore, Jeep has fitted the Wayout with 5,443 kg Warn winch and Jeep Performance Parts snorkel enabling it to tackle tough terrain. The Jeep Wayout is powered by the award-winning 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
(The Jeep Flatbill concept is perfect for hauling dirt bikes on tough terrain)
The Flatbill was designed keeping in mind the desert lifestyle. It is based on the all-new Gladiator and gets a loud colour scheme along with space to carry dirt bikes and give it a sporty appearance. The exterior gets motocross inspired vented carbon hood and high-clearance flares and the front bumper has been shortened to better the approach angle along with a skid plate. In order to be able to carry dirt bikes, the tailgate has been removed and cargo bed gets wheel ramps which slide out for loading. The Flatbill gets 20-inch wheels and 40-inch tyres along with Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 axles at front and rear and a custom 4-inch lift kit. The Jeep Flatbill is powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine with a cold-air Mopar intake and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
(Inspired by the 1968 M-715, the Five-Quarters is a rugged single-cab military-style vehicle)
The Jeep M715 Five Quarter is a retro mod which is inspired by old Jeep trucks of the past that were one and one quarter tons or five quarters. Starting with a 1968 M-715, this Gladiator-based military vehicle gets a full carbon-fibre front end along with an all-new, bobbed 6-foot custom-fabricated Aluminium bed. Additional body modifications include a 3.5-inch drop to its convertible soft-top.
The M-715 Five-Quarter's off-road capability has been improved by reinforcing the original frame and replacing the leaf springs with a heavy-duty link/coil suspension system. Additionally, the front axle has been pulled forward two inches and replaced with a Dynatrac Pro-rock 60 axle and a Pro-rock 80 axle at the rear, while 20-inch beadlock wheels are wrapped with 40-inch tires. The Jeep M-715 Five-Quarter gets a 6.2-litre supercharged "Hellcrate" Hemi V-8 engine, which pumps out more than 700 horsepower.
(We quite like the Jeep J6 with the Metallic Blue colour scheme)
The Jeep J6 concept is again based on the Gladiator Rubicon and is inspired by the styling of Jeeps from 1970s and getting modern bits from Mopar. It is a single-cab pickup truck with a 6-feet cargo bay which is a foot more than on the regular Gladiator. The signature metallic blue paint scheme is inspired by the 1978 Jeep Honcho. The brawn factor is added by two-and-a-quarter-inch steel roll bar planted in the bed, which carries a set of four LED lights that shine at 4,800 lumens each. The Jeep J6 gets a prototype two-inch steel stinger bar that bolts on to the Rubicon front bumper and rock rails customised with two-inch steel tubes, welded to the standard Jeep Gladiator rails. The concept hardtop is removable, and classic Jeep J6 badging is swapped in on the tailgate and side fenders. The 3.6-litre engine receives a performance bump through the Jeep Performance Parts cold-air intake.
(The JT Scrambler is a classic old-school cool Jeep with modern, contemporary bits)
The Jeep JT Scrambler concept is yet another retro-mod which is a throwback to the iconic Jeep CJ Scrambler and gets a modern vibe from new Mopar parts. The colour scheme is Punk'N Metallic Orange and Nacho body stripes along with dashes of white. Diffused LED task lights mounted to the sport/roll bar are directed to the rear bed, providing illumination in the cargo area. The 17-inch slot wheels are from Mopar and are customised in bronze shade to match the exterior colour theme. A two-inch lift kit helps accommodate large 37-inch tyres and the JT scrambler uses a 3.6-litre engine augmented with a Mopar cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust.
(This is our favourite of the lot! The Jeep Gladiator Gravity, which is inspired by the rock-climbing culture)
And the last concept for this year is the Jeep Gladiator Gravity, which is a rock-climber themed model and is fitted with a bunch of parts and equipment from Mopar. The Gladiator Gravity gets a Punk'N Metallic Orange colour scheme, along with a cargo bed with smart storage space to carry rock-climbing gear such as ropes, carabiners, helmets and shoes. The unique Mopar/Decked truck bed storage system offers additional lockable cargo space through dual sliding drawers, while still allowing for storage on top in the bed area. The Gladiator Gravity is raised with two-inch lift kit and runs on 17-inch gear wheels shod with 35-inch tyres.
