by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
MOAB, Utah — Something new. Something old, well, call it a nod to the past. Something high. And something low.
As the 58th Easter Jeep Safari opens up today in and around Moab, Utah, Jeep also officially pulled the curtain back on its 2024 Jeep concept vehicles.
In all, the brand is hauling four one-off unique designs into the eastern Utah desert — two from its JL platform named Low Down and Willys Dispatcher, one Grand Wagoneer dubbed Jeep Vacationeer and a JT Gladiator called High Top. Sadly, no electrified Wrangler Magneto 4.0 this year becuase it would have been interesting to see how Jeep could top last year’s 650 horsepower, 900 lb-ft of torque beast.
The unveiling followed weeks of ‘Trail Marker’ renderings across its social media platforms teasing this year’s concept crop, and it is the first batch without longtime designer Mark Allen at the helm.
“Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, is the perfect venue for new Jeep concepts, with more than 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts gathering each year to celebrate the most iconic 4x4 brand in the world,” said Bill Peffer, senior vice president and North American head of the Jeep brand. “From 4xe electrification to unmatched 392 power, this year’s Jeep 4x4 concepts illustrate how the most capable Wrangler ever appeals to such a wide range of people.”
Jeep Vacationeer
For those in the overland camp, Jeep’s latest large body concept features its newest luxury Grand Wagoneer all touched up for long trips into the forest, desert, tundra, or wherever you want to hang an overland hat.
This vehicle seems geared to those who appreciate the older Wagoneer days popular from the 1960s through 90s, with wood paneling, large, powerful engines and, really, that ability to pretty much ‘go anywhere and do anything.’
”(It’s) a premium SUV that combines comfort and adventure with modern capability while honoring the legendary heritage of the Jeep brand,” the company said in a release.
From outside to in, everyone will first notice the distinctive Spearmint color scheme, but what really sets off the design is its woodgrain panel strip that tastefully splashes down its side. Not too large, while not miniscule either.
To set this thing up for any overlanding adventure are 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 tires set off with 18” Method Racing 701 wheels. That aggressive tread design can easily get anyone out and back again with no issues.
However, to fit these larger wheels, Jeep’s designers needed to enlarge the wheel well openings as well as fender flare extensions. The clearance comes from a 1.5-inch suspension lift, while front and rear skid plates offer enhanced undercarriage protection.
The Vacationeer’s front also shows off a Baja Design bumper complete with Warn winch, bronze-painted tow hooks and grille inserts to match that woodgrain. A trio of LED light bars also adorn the face to provide extra visibility.
Up top sits a custom carbon-fiber pass-through rooftop tent that includes its own solar-powered climate control system so adventurers can escape from any exterior weather conditions, while interior standouts are New England-themed upholstery, wood paneling and a bed-lined rear cargo area perfect for stowing gear. Designers even removed the second and third rows to make room for a small step that doubles as a table.
Powering the whole ensemble is a twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six ‘Hurricane’ engine pushing 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque.
Wrangler Low Down
This guy looks to be somewhat of an update of the popular 2009 EJS ‘Lower 40’ two-door concept — taking it into the JL era, yet keeping a stock suspension on 42-inch BFG Krawler tires. Not something anyone should try at home.
For this one, designers found a way to fit that oversized rubber without adding lift by performing some creative fabrication, as well as swapping out those stock axles for Dana 60s with 5:38 gearing.
The inner fenders were also removed, while the rear fenders required some trimming to ensure they were no longer pushing into the rear doors. Other interesting exterior features are a custom carbon hood with a see-through hood and roof offering a bespoked red-tinted bikini top engineered to allow light into the cabin while still somewhat protecting riders from inclement weather.
Even with no suspension changes, the larger rubber does add some ground clearance to this concept, which provides extra room for a custom set of carbon fiber fender flares, while shorter front and rear bumpers provide a bit of protection and enhance the look. They also keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low even though clearance, approach, breakover and departure angles are all increased.
The whole thing is set off in an eye-catching Poison Apple red paint hue, but one thing to notice is there are no exterior rear door handles. However, designers still wanted easy rear access so they left the interior handles alone so those doors could still remain active.
Just like the older Lower 40, this edition also features a V-8 engine for all its propulsion needs — the same 6.4L-liter 392 that currently adorns a Wrangler of the same name and throws out 475 horsepower. But a few tweaks on this one are a unique race-style filler cap and custom ‘rocket fuel only’ decal behind the rear left quarter panel.
Also up front are LED lights molded into the leading edge of the fenders and custom grilles cut into the top of the flare, as much to help airflow as just providing an additional visual.
Interior callouts are custom black leather seats with cloth inserts and breather rings, rhino-lined flooring and a special radio-delete instrument panel that now features large ‘392’ badging.
Gladiator Rubicon High Top
Every EJS, Jeep always creates at least one concept vehicle with the sole purpose of showing off many of its Jeep Performance Products.
This year, that duty falls to the Gladiator dubbed High Top.
Channeling visions of older 1970s J-series Jeep trucks, this version starts with a black and brown color scheme called ‘Ginger Snap’ that is sure to create some nostalgia. But it goes on to bring the vehicle into this decade with 40-inch BFG All Terrain KO3 tires, 18-inch satin black KMC Grenade beadlock wheels and an adjustable AccuAir suspension system.
From there come numerous JPP items like its sun bonnet, pedal kit, floor mats, door sill guards, as well as custom flat fender flares. Perforated leather seats are custom quilted and feature the JPP logo as well.
But JPP doesn’t provide all the exterior products as designers also incorporated a custom AEV front bumper that has a shorter hoop designed to protect its Warn winch, while using popular Rock Slide Engineering side steps for easier vehicle access and a truck bed storage system with lockable dual sliding doors.
Under the hood sits the standard V-6 Pentastar engine that is mated to an eight-speed automatic suspension.
Willys Dispatcher
A bit of where the Jeep brand has been. A bit of where it is going. That’s how Jeep describes its Willys Dispatcher concept.
And it is the second notion that should be the important takeaway. A bit of where it is going.
That’s because Jeep designers always try to hide a few things here and there that will eventually find a way into production vehicles.
For this year, maybe that means the vehicle's stamped Willys logo on a JL hood is coming. Or, more likely, that green paint hue, called Element 115, will be an offering for upcoming models.
Whatever the case, this Willys does not appear much different than the current Wrangler in its design, but a gloss black windshield definitely catches the eye almost immediately as does the white, throwback 16-inch steel wheels around 36-inch tires.
While the brand brought numerous 4xe vehicles last year to Moab, the Willys is the only hybrid along for the ride this year. It features a 2.0-liter engine delivering 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, as well as plug-in hybrid capability that usually gives around 20-30 miles of fully-electric range.
To cope with that added power, the stock axles were pulled and subbed for front and rear Dana 50s with 4:70 gearing, along with the standard eight-speed transmission.
That stamped Willys hood leads up to a front end complete with a classic 8274 Warn winch, Epic Series Winch Hook and recovery point D-rings.
Inside, saddle leather seats sport houndstooth cloth inserts while low back seats eliminate headrests for that older, vintage, Jeep look.
JPP also makes its presence felt with vinyl flooring, bikini top and an onboard air compressor.
“Our extended Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar team can’t wait to get back to Moab for the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Koval Jr, Mopar’s North American senior vice president for service, parts and customer care. “We look forward to unveiling a new set of concept vehicles that feature our latest custom and factory-tested and factory-backed production parts and accessories that allow us to tackle some of the toughest trails in the world.”
Last year, Jeep brought out seven concepts to Moab — including the third version of its powerful all-electric two-door Wrangler dubbed Magneto. Outfitted with a manual transmission, Dynatrac 60 front and 80 rear axles, and 5.38:1 gearing, this machine could push out 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque at its mild setting; then 650 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque at maximum.
Jeep plans to have an all-electric Wrangler ready to go for the 2028 model year, though most likely not something like this concept. Additionally, the brand’s all-electric Recon is set to hit showrooms this fall and will become Jeep’s first North American all-electric vehicle.
Other concepts last year highlighted the 4xe platform and included a 1978 SJ Cherokee with a turbocharged 2.0L engine with twin batteries, 37-inch tires and a retro orange/yellow interior, a Tuscadero pink Wrangler sporting the revised 2024 model year grille and some AEV Level 2 upfit items, and dark blue hued Wrangler Unlimited prominently displaying Jeep Performance Parts like lighting, front grille, tubular doors and a custom fabricated rear tire carrier.
Non-4xe platforms completing last year’s concept list were the Scrambler 392 — a lime green, two-door mash-up of Wrangler and Gladiator features that sported the brand’s powerful 392 6.4L Hemi engine; a Grand Wagoneer Overland concept with a ceiling access into a pop up carbon fiber tent, as well as a subbed out interior that had no rear seats but some beanbag chairs, throw rug and ambient lighting; and finally a Rubicon Gladiator dubbed Sideburn that offered a front fold-down grille bench, customized rear cargo shelf, boxed sides and integrated tailgate with MOLLE paneling and steps that help provide easier access into the bed.
Each year, EJS attracts thousands to the Utah desert for a week’s worth of off-roading and congregating on some of the best 4x4 trails in the world. This year’s event is set for March 25-31.
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