The Chrysler Group couldn’t wait until this weekend for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, to show us its six new concept studies and has released both details and real life pictures. All the Jeep concepts were created in partnership with the Chrysler Group’s Mopar division.
One of the most impressive studies is the Mighty FC, inspired not by the Mercedes-Benz Unimog, as some might think, but by the Jeep Forward Control that was built from 1956 to 1965.
The modern day ‘Forward Control’ is loosely based on the Wrangler Rubicon with Jeep repositioning the cabin over and ahead of the front axle and lengthening the wheelbase. It also added a custom built drop-side cargo box, while the Wrangle-based interior has been enhanced with heavy-duty Katzkin leather and a unique color scheme.
The Jeep truck rides on a higher suspension and massive 40-inch tires mounted on custom Hutchinson 17-inch beadlock wheels.
Jeep’s second eye-catching concept is the J-12 that pays homage to the 1960s Jeep Gladiator. It is based on the 2012 Wrangler Unlimited, though the frame has been extended by 18 inches making the cargo box a full six feet in length.
Among other goods, the J-12 gets a three-inch suspension lift kit, Teraflex sway bars controlling ARB air-locker equipped Dynatrac D-44 and D-60 axle assemblies and 16-inch wheels shod in 36-inch tires. The truck’s interior was stripped down for a more utilitarian look.
Next up on our menu is the Wrangler Apache from Mopar, which swaps the standard model’s V6 engine for a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 delivering approximately 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels.
The V8 conversion kit for the Wrangler will be available for order this summer, initially with the Chrysler Group’s W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission, and later on, with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Other performance parts include the Mopar Pro 60 5.13 front and rear axles, a 4.5-inch Stage 3 long arm lift kit and off-road bead-lock wheels.
Jeep’s second Wrangler study is the Traildozer, which also features a 470HP 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine linked to a 6sp manual transmission.
Finished in a Dozer Yellow color, the Traildozer rides on 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radials mounted on Mopar Classic five-spoke wheels and gets a 3.5-inch suspension lift, and numerous Mopar parts such as the bespoke bumpers and guards.
The third Wrangler model to go on display at the Easter Safari event has been accessorized by Mopar with readily available as well as prototype parts like the locking center console box and windshield-mounted LED lamps.
The last Jeep concept is the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk that we told you about earlier today. Visually, the study stands out thanks to its bespoke color theme that combines a Stone White finish for the body with Mineral Gray and Red accents.
A new set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor off-road tires along with select Mopar upgrade parts like the underbody protection plates complete the design.
PHOTO GALLERY
