FCA Unveils Seven Easter Jeep Safari Concept Models in Detroit [News]

The Easter Jeep Safari is almost here! From this Saturday, March 24th through next Sunday, April 1st, a vast array of Jeeps will descend on Moab, Utah. What goes on during that time? It’s nine days of meet-ups, trail rides, and general off-road adventure in the Utah wilderness. On top of that, there is also a new set of Easter Jeep Safari concept models!

FCA turns up each year with their own Jeep concepts based around the event, and this year they have seven concepts to show us. Before the event kicks off this weekend, they’re taking the opportunity to show us these concepts in Detroits. Check out the details on each concept below!

 

4SPEED Concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeep 4SPEED

Jeep’s 4SPEED is a lightweight Easter Jeep Safari concept that builds on the Wrangler’s off road performance through saving weight. It follows 2011’s Pork Chop and 2013’s Stitch concepts (pictured below). This particular concept houses the Wrangler’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

Other highlights include a carbon fiber hood and high-clearance carbon fiber fender flares. It also has a carbon fiber rear tub with perforated aluminum panels. FCA has shortened the 4SPEED by 22 inches from the stock Wrangler, while leaving the wheelbase intact. That helps its approach and departure angles. This Easter Jeep Safari concept also uses Dana 44s in the front and the rear, as well as a 4.10 gear ratio sending power to 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrains.

 

Sandstorm concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeep Sandstorm

You see the word “sandstorm”, and you know Baja isn’t too far behind. Indeed, that’s the case with this concept. According to FCA, this Easter Jeep Safari concept is about “blitzing long, sandy straightaways while still being capable of handling daily driving duties.”

To hit on the off-road, desert-blasting side of this equation, there’s some special kit here. The Sandstorm features high-clearance tube bumpers – front and rear – as well as rock rails, an integrated air compressor, and KC Carbon series front auxiliary lights.

Mechanically speaking, it has a longer wheelbase – the rear axle’s been moved back two inches – and the concept is equipped trailing arm four-link rear suspension. Up front, there are custom coilovers and bypass shocks that allow up to 14 inches of travel. Suspension travel in the rear is 18 inches. There’s also Dynatrac 60 front and rear axles with a 5.68 gear ratio and 39.5 inch BF Goodrich Krawler tires. Under the hood, there’s a 6.4-liter V8 from the Mopar catalog and a six-speed manual transmission.

 

B-ute Concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeep B-Ute:

The B-Ute. Interesting name, but what makes this Renegade-based Easter Jeep Safari concept tick? It has a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Moreover, FCA lifted this concept 1.5 inches and threw in some rock rails. It has 17-inch, 30-millimeter offset wheels, and BF Goodrich T/A Baja Champion tires.

Cosmetically, Jeep has given the B-Ute unique front and rear fascias, a heat extractor style hood, and wider flared arches. Not only that, but the interior sees some “Carbonite” and piano black trim finishes.

 

Wagoneer Roadtrip Concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip:

This Easter Jeep Safari concept harks to a family roadtrip, and keeps its original steel body. However, FCA stretched the wheelbase by five inches and updated the drivetrain. The Wagoneer packs a 5.7-liter V8, hooked up to an old-style four-speed automatic transmission. It also has Dana 44s front and rear, with 17-inch steel wheels and 33-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

On the inside, the Wagoneer Roadtrip sports front and rear bench seats. There are also original-style panels all around, including the doors, kick panels and rear panel. Apart from the Oxblood leather, there’s also a tool box crafted from the valve cover of the original Wagoneer’s Tornado six-cylinder engine.

This is a 1965 Jeep Wagoneer. The original model was built for nearly thirty years – from 1963 to 1991.

 

Nacho Jeep Concept [Photo: FCA]

Nacho Jeep:

FCA touts the “Nacho Jeep” as a rolling parts catalog. Remember when we covered the Jeep Performance Parts catalog back at SEMA 2017? This is more or less a showcase for accessories the Mopar brand has to offer. This Easter Jeep Safari concept is built upon a Nacho Yellow JL Rubicon, with the Wrangler’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The concept features a black Mopar grille with a steel Rubicon bumper, complete with a winch kit.

In its off-road kit, the Nacho Jeep packs LED lights up front and in the rear. A rear-mounted scouting light uses LEDs to communicate the trail conditions to other off-roaders. The Nacho Jeep has a 2-inch lift kit, with 2.5-inch aluminum shocks. It has 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels clad in 37-inch tires. Finally, there are 2-inch round tube doors and thicker rock rails.

 

Jeepster Concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeepster:

This Easter Jeep Safari concept looks back to the 1966 Jeepster for inspiration. There’s a two-tone graphic theme, as well as a custom raked windshield. It also utilizes accessories from the Jeep Performance parts catalog, including a hood and graphic package.

Mechanically, this concept sports a 2-inch lift kit and 2.5-inch diameter aluminum shocks. There are also 37-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. There’s no specific information on powertrains for the Jeepster concept.

Inside, there’s a tubular roll cage and the Jeepster’s spare tire. It’s a 38-inch tire in a custom-built tire carrier. Apart from that, FCA also fitted “storage packs” to the tailgate for moving other supplies. Useful, since the tire lives where you would normally store the cargo. The Jeepster is fitted with a concept “rock step” – a combination between rock sliders and a side step.

 

J-Wagon Concept [Photo: FCA]

Jeep J-Wagon:

Finally, the J-Wagon is FCA’s seventh Easter Jeep Safari concept debuting this year. More Jeep Performance Parts are on display, fitted to a Wrangler Sahara. Finished in “Warm Neutral Grey”, the J-Wagon is fitted with Brass Monkey appearance touches on the exterior. There’s also a Jeep Performance Parts hood with a cutout for a snorkel.

As far as off-roading kit, there are 5-inch LED lights and 17-inch slot-design wheels. There’s also a black metal rock slider and a reinforced tailgate hinge bearing the weight of a spare 35-inch BF Goodrich KM3 tire.

Inside, there are camel-colored leather seats with brown piping and more Brass Monkey trim. At time of writing, there aren’t any mention of specific powertrains for this Easter Jeep Safari concept.

Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates from this year’s Easter Jeep Safari! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more videos from this year’s event.

Check back to TFLcar.com reguarly, as this post may be updated to include new photos or information, as it becomes available.