Jeep Gladiator Gets Six Moab Easter Safari Concepts

Jeep’s 2019 Moab Easter Safari lineup is an all-pickup affair, with the off-road specialist bringing six custom-built concepts to the annual event that takes place in Moab, Utah (April 13-21).

All six concepts are based on the all-new Gladiator pickup truck. Besides the M-715 Five-Quarter restomod, all other concepts seem to be ready for production with the right amount of Mopar goodies. Whether they’ll make it to production or not it depends on Jeep and the public reception.

All Gladiator-based concepts feature the standard model’s 3.6-liter engine albeit with a performance bump courtesy of a Jeep Performance Parts cold-air intake. So, without further ado, here’s what each Jeep pickup concept is about.

Jeep J6: does it preview a Gladiator single cab?

We start off with the J6 Concept, which envisions what a single-cab version of the Gladiator could look like. It mixes the classic Jeep truck styling of the late 1970s with prototype and production Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar with spectacular results.

The J6 is a customized two-door Rubicon that features a six-foot (1,829-mm) functional bed “box” area that is 12 inches (305 mm) longer than the standard Gladiator bed. The truck is 201-inches (5,105-mm) long overall, while the wheelbase is the same as the Wrangler JL at 118.4 inches (2,916 mm).

The Metallic Brilliant Blue paint is a homage to the exterior look of the 1978 Jeep Honcho, while the prototype 17-inch beadlock wheels with a silver ring feature a deep dish design and Brass Monkey finish. Thanks to a production Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, the J6 can accommodate massive 37-inch tires for extra trail clearance.

Other off-road hardware includes a 2.15-inch (54.6-mm) steel prototype sport/roll bar planted in the bed and fitted with LED lights, a 2-inch (50.8-mm) stinger bar, and rock rails customized with 2-inch steel tubes, among other things. The interior features Katzkin leather seats and armrests accented with body-color blue stitching, bright pedal kit, all-weather floor mats and more.

Jeep Wayout: the Gladiator for overlanding enthusiasts

This concept envisions an overland version of the all-new Gladiator that comes with a full roof-top tent and custom canopy, custom bed rack with an integrated ladder, two custom-fit auxiliary fuel tanks, ARB onboard air system, and more. The roof-top tent is said to sleep two adults comfortably, while the 270-degree awning with amber LED task lighting helps travelers set up camp.

The concept also features a new Gator Green color that will be available on production Gladiator models, a Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit for more ground clearance, and 17-inch steel wheels shod with 37-inch mud-terrain tires. Other off-road upgrades include a 12,000-lb (5,443-kg) Warn winch and Jeep Performance Parts snorkel.

Jeep JT Scrambler: the nostalgic Gladiator

The retro-styled JT Scrambler combines the color palette and graphics of the iconic CJ Scrambler with Jeep Performance Parts and conceptual touches. Based on the Gladiator Rubicon, the Scrambler is kitted with many accessories from Mopar’s Performance Parts line.

Those include additional LED lights on the sport/roll bar, A-pillars, and front brush guard, spray-in bedliner, two-inch steel prototype tube sport/roll bar with a total of eight tie-down points, custom 17-inch slot wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires, a two-inch Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, and rock rails.

The Scrambler color theme is carried over inside on the Katzkin Amaretto Brown leather seats, dash panel, and armrests bordered in orange thread.

Jeep Flatbill: a desert truck that can haul two dirt-bikes

This Gladiator has been tweaked to deliver extreme 4×4 capability and utility while accommodating motorbike lovers. Designed with the desert lifestyle in mind, it serves “as the ultimate hauler for an array of toys.”

Design highlights include a vented carbon hood, high-clearance flares, custom-designed shortened front bumper and skid plate, a tube rear bumper, and custom bodywork on the bed lowers. The bed can accommodate two dirt bikes thanks to the removal of the tailgate and the addition of dedicated wheel ramps that slide out for easy access and loading.

The Flatbill also comes equipped with Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 front and rear axles, Off-Road Evolution custom four-inch (101.6-mm) lift kit, large rear bypass shocks, as well as massive 20-inch wheels and 40-inch tires — a first for any Gladiator. The interior adds bright bed-lined floors and custom-trimmed seats.

Jeep Gladiator Gravity: made using only launch-ready Jeep Performance Parts

This custom model is the closest to a production vehicle, as it’s exclusively made using launch-ready Performance Parts. The rock-climber-themed trail vehicle features Mopar cross rails and cargo carrier basket in the bed that enable storage of rock-climbing gear such as ropes, carabiners, helmets, and shoes.

Painted in Punk’N Metallic Orange, the truck also packs a unique Mopar/Decked truck bed storage system that offers additional lockable cargo space through dual sliding drawers.

Highlights also include two-inch round steel tube doors, a mesh sunbonnet that provides cover while keeping the top-down feel, tie-down straps that secure the windshield when lowered, and more. As with most of the other concepts, it has a 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch wheels and 35-inch tires. Inside, the Katzkin leather seats feature the Jeep grille logo embroidered in Tungsten stitching.

Jeep M-715 Five-Quarter: 1968 M-175 military truck returns as 707hp restomod project

This spectacular custom concept continues the Easter Jeep Safari tradition of restomods with a 1968 M-175 that has been kitted out with modern components and a menacing look. The name is a reference to historical Jeep trucks that were one-and-one-quarter tons, or “five quarters.”

Based on the classic Gladiator SJ, the military truck brings design and functional improvements to the chassis, drivetrain and cargo configurations. On the outside, the original front sheet metal was replaced with a full carbon fiber front end, while an all-new, bobbed 6-foot custom-fabricated aluminum bed was installed. Other modifications include a 3.5-inch drop to the convertible soft-top, functional rock rails that run the length of the body side, modified front Jeep Gladiator Rubicon steel bumpers, as well as new HID lights, LED auxiliary lights, and LED halo lights.

Hardware-wise, the original frame was reinforced and the leaf springs were replaced with a heavy-duty link/coil suspension system. Furthermore, the front axle has been pulled forward two inches and replaced with a Dynatrac Pro-rock 60 front axle. The rear axle is Dynatrac Pro-rock 80, while the 20-inch beadlock wheels are wrapped with large 40-inch tires.

Inside, the M-715 Five-Quarter features new Jeep Wrangler seats without headrests, as well as a new lightweight instrument panel and door panels with water-jetted aluminum components. Finally, power comes from a 6.2-liter supercharged “Hellcrate” HEMI V8 that produces 707 horsepower.