Easter Jeep Safari

Every year, the Easter Jeep Safari takes over Moab, Utah, and brings with it a host of new concepts from Jeep. 

For 2015, seven custom concepts have been put together by the brand. Many of the parts used are currently available through Mopar, though some are prototypes. A small team of dedicated engineers put together this group of custom Jeeps, each one of which is fully functional.

This Wrangler-based concept is inspired by the 1970s Jeep Cherokee and is tailored to fit the west-coast surfer lifestyle. Finished in Ocean Blue, the Chief gets a custom razor grille that was made famous by the original Wagoneer, halogen headlights, removable sides, chrome front and rear bumpers and 17-inch slotted mag wheels.

Two inches were taken off the doors and windshield, while the Chief has been lifted by two inches and fitted with Dana 44 locking axles, a cold air intake and Rubicon rock rails. Power comes from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 mated to a six-speed manual.

Inside, pink, blue and white flowered cloth along with leather wrap the seats while surf stickers dot the center console and door handles. The front-passenger handle has been replaced with Rosewood and of course the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen is present.

A salute to the legendary military Jeeps, this Wrangler-based concept comes fitted with basic steel wheels, small fender flares, a stretched canvas roof and bench seats. A Sandstorm paint finish keeps the exterior true Jeep’s military heritage, just like the removal of the doors and b-pillars. Round headlights, Jeep J8 front and rear bumpers, fender-mounted blackout lamps and a rear-mounted spare tire and gas can complete the look.

A little added performance comes from Dana 44 locking axles and a two-inch lift.

The interior features just two bench seats along with an integrated roll cage and a painted steel floor.  An integrated cooler is also built in to this concept, made from an old wooden artillery box.

Power for the staff car also comes from the Pentastar V6 hooked through a six-speed manual.

Jeep wants to go on safari with the Wrangler Africa. A high-clearance steel front bumper with a winch, power step rock rails, a vented hood and an exteneded rear body with a high-top roof prepare this concept for duty. Fender-mounted fuel cans, 17-inch body color steel wheels and big 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires complete this concept.

Power comes from a 2.8-liter diesel engine hooked to an automatic transmission. A two-inch lift kit complete with Fox shocks and Dana 44 axles are found on the Africa, while the cargo area, inner roof and floor are all coated with a spray-in truck bedliner.

The Overlander is based on the Grand Cherokee and is meant to show the SUVs capability for off-roading and camping. A one-off front fascia, tow hooks, flared fenders, SRT taillights and hood, off-road rock rails and skid plates make sure that the Overlander is ready to get you into the wilderness.

On the roof, a two-person hard-shell tent is fitted and ready to keep you protected in the wild.

A 3.0-liter V6 diesel powers this concept.

Jeep didn’t forget about the new Renegade compact crossover when it was putting together these concepts. Called the Desert Hawk, this special edition gets off-road rock rails, a skid plate, a hood decal that shows the Fins and Things Moab trail in detail and is finished in Desert Tan.

Inside, Mopar Katzkin seat covers are found along with body color bezels and Mopar all-weather floor mats.

Power is delivered by a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine hooked to a nine-speed automatic.

This Cherokee is ready to tackle Moab thanks to JPP off-road rock rails, a two-piece fuel tank skid plate, two-piece underbody skid plate, oil pan and front suspension skid plates, along with concept 17-inch painted wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires.

The Canyon Trail is finished in Desert Tan, accented by a Satin Black hood with a topographical map decal showing Hell’s Revenge, a famous Moab trail. Inside, Katzkin leather seat covers, embroidered logos on the headrests, body color accents, a cargo tray mat, all-weather floormats and a Moab off-road bag can all be found.

The 2.4-liter Tigershark powers this concept, sending its juice through a nine-speed automatic

Finally, we have the Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder. This concept was put together to tackle an emergency situation in a remote area and is packed with spare parts and tools to get the job done. To get there, the Responder packs a four-inch lift, Fox shocks, Dana 60 axles front and rear, a cold-air intake, off-road rock rails and a Warn winch.

Side cargo boxes make sure that the Responder can do its job once it arrives, housing a hi-lift jack, fire extinguisher, road side accessory kit, first aid kit, snap-on tools and a small air compressor complete with air hose and accessories.

Steel front and rear bumpers along with high top fenders are fitted while the Responder Red paint job finishes the look. 17-inch beadlock wheels with a body color beadlock ring are also included.

The Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to an automatic transmission.