For ages, Jeep has been using the fan-directed Easter Jeep Safari in Moab as an opportunity to show off working concepts to brand faithful. This year is no different, with four machines appearing on the slickrock.
First up is the Jeep Low Down, a callback to the Wrangler Lower 40 concept of fifteen years ago. Rolling at a stock ride height, some creative clearance work has made room for massive 42-inch BFGoodrich Krawler mud-terrains on 20-inch beadlock wheels. Stock Wrangler Rubicon 392 suspension bits remain intact. Those are custom carbon fender flares and eagle eyes will note the bumpers have been shortened. Like its Lower 40 inspiration, the concept is powered by a V8 engine, though this time around it uses the 392 mill making 475 horses underneath a Also transparent hood. The rear doors are notably bereft of handles.
Next is the Jeep Willys Dispatcher, getting a retro makeover with 36-inch tires and vintage style 16-inch wheels. A custom old-school front bumper houses a classic-looking Warn winch while the interior thumbs its nose to Health & Safety by binning the headrests like nature and the original Jeeps intended. The likes of an air compressor and vinyl floors are also found. This is a 4xe rigs, meaning 375 horses and 470 lb-ft of torque.
A new Gladiator High Top concept uses Jeep’s pickup truck as its base, painted in a natty Ginger Snap hue and riding on 40-inch BFGoodrich KO3 tires with 18-inch wheels. Concept fender flares appear again, and we find a Pentastar V6 under the hood. Slung underneath are Dana 60 front and rear axles with matching 5.38:1 gearing and an AccuAir adjustable air suspension to help make easy work of yer off-road excursions.
Finally, we have the Jeep Vacationer concept, billed as a premium SUV fitted with unique bodyside woodgrain graphics and spearmint paint which harken back to classic Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. At each corner are 35-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrains wrapped around 18-inch Method racing wheels which provide a 1.5-inch lift, pairing well with larger wheel openings and custom bodyside flare extensions.
Sure, its Skyloft gear is a flight of fancy but these other alterations are what Jeep should seriously look at offering if they wish to juice flagging Wagoneer sales. There’s no reason the model can’t play both sides of the ledger, offered as an off-roader like this for the moneyed set and a slick executive express to take on the Escalade. That’s the approach Lexus is taking with the new GX with its Overtrail vs Luxury+ trims.
[Images: Jeep]
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