Jeep's Easter Safari Builds Go All Retro For 2024Stellantis
With the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari well underway in Moab, Utah, Stellantis has pulled the cover off of four brand-new off-road concepts. The lineup includes two highly-modified Wranglers, a big-tired Gladiator pickup, and a seriously retro take on the Grand Wagoneer, all of which take a look back at some of the Jeep’s greatest work for inspiration. Here’s what you need to know about these factory-modified wheelers.
Stellantis
Wrangler Low Down Concept
Jeep has built more than 100 of these custom 4x4s since 2008, but only a select few have managed to stick in the minds of the Jeep faithful. The new Rubicon 392-based Wrangler Low Down concept pays homage to one of the most famous Easter Jeep Safari builds, the Lower 40 concept from 2009. That early build featured a V-8 engine swap under the hood, and made use of gigantic 40-inch rubber despite a stock ride height. The new truck is a bit more extreme, trading that old-school 5.7-liter V-8 for the potent 6.4-liter engine provided by the Rubicon 392. The new build also retains the stock suspension package from the Rubicon 392 model, but swaps out the stock Dana 44 axle for more robust Dana 60s with 5.38 gears. Those beefier axles help support the truck’s massive 42-inch BFGoodrich Krawler mud-terrain tires, which come installed on a set of 20-inch beadlock wheels. The stock fenders have been replaced with a set of flared carbon units, which help give the truck a purposeful stance. A Poison Apple Red paint job and a red-tinted swimsuit top are a nice nod to the original concept as well.
Stellantis
Wrangler 4xe Willys Dispatcher Concept
The second Wrangler build looks even further back in brand history, paying respects to the early civilian model Jeep from the post-war era. Based on the 4xe hybrid model, this Willys Dispatcher Concept gets some old-school appearance tweaks, including custom steel bumpers at both ends. The hood also features stamped “Willys” branding, which it shares with the original seven-barred product. Upgraded Dana 50 axles with 4.70 gears help increase capability, as do the Super Traxion 36-inch tires. That rubber comes wrapped around retro-style steel wheels, which are finished in a cream hue. The SUV itself is finished in a bespoke shade of Element 115 Green paint, which is accented nicely by the blacked out windshield banner. The best looking part of this custom SUV is the interior, complete with distressed saddle leather and houndstooth inserts throughout. The headrests have been pulled from the seats to improve that retro appearance. It’s the sort of thing we’d love to see make its way to the production models, however unlikely. The throwback style Warn Winch is another nice touch and helps to round out the package.
Stellantis
Gladiator High Top Concept
The Gladiator High Top Concept is a bit less of an involved build, borrowing mostly from the Jeep Performance Parts catalog. Upgrades include items like an AccuAir air suspension system, which work with Dana 60 axles at both ends to support 4x4 endeavors. The suspension system is put to the ground via a gigantic set of 40-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3s, which come wrapped around a set of 18-inch KMC Grenade Crawl beadlock wheels. A set of flat fender flares and AEV bumpers ensure that the large rubber is covered and ready for road-use, while giving the pickup some additional flair. Out back you’ll find a truck bed storage system by Decked, which brings a bit of overlanding capability to the build. A Warn Winch and some rock slider steps have also been added should any off-roading adventures take a turn for the worse.
Stellantis
Vacationeer Concept
Rounding out the 2024 Easter Jeep Safari lineup is the Grand Wagoneer-based Vacationeer Concept. The design is a clear nod to the original Wagoneer models, complete with the oh-so lovely wood grain graphics missing from the current production model. The woody look pairs very nicely with the Spearmint paint, which has slightly more white in the mix than the aforementioned Element 115 color. The wheel openings have also been massaged to make room for the larger 35-inch tires, which come wrapped around 18-inch Method Race wheels. A 1.5-inch suspension lift adds a bit of aggression to the stance, while bringing a bit more off-road capability to the table. The rear rows of seats have been removed in favor of a carbon-fiber RedTail Overland Skyloft, which serves as a passthrough rooftop tent for ideal camping conditions. Under the hood sits a high output variant of the Hurricane inline-six engine, which provides 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. That said, the real highlight of this build is found on the interior, where Jeep enlisted the assistance of fashion designer Kiel James Patrick. The custom flannel seats feature famous Jeep models from years gone by, and fit with the theme perfectly. This is exactly how the Grand Wagoneer should have looked in production form, but we’ll settle for a concept like this one.
The Easter Jeep Safari runs through March 31st, 2024 in Moab, Utah. If you’re a diehard Jeeper, it might be worth the trek to lay eyes on these unique concept vehicles.
