Seven Jeep Concepts Revealed for 50th Moab Easter Jeep Safari

FCA released images of the Jeep vehicle lineup ready for the Easter Jeep Safari’s golden anniversary meet. These seven concept vehicles have been developed with Mopar and Jeep Performance parts, and each is unique in its own way.

This year, the get-together in Moab coincides nicely with Jeep’s 75^th anniversary, which makes the event even more historic.

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Jeep Comanche Concept

This funky little pickup truck was created by cutting off the rear body section of a Renegade, stretching its wheelbase by six inches and installing a military-style, five-foot bed. Also included is a winch, a steel rear bumper, a bed-mounted spare tire, a two-inch lift kit and even a soft top. Under the hood is a diesel 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic. And of course, Jeep’s Active Drive Lock 4WD system with low range.

The Comanche is painted in a colour called “Beige Against the Machine” and boasts a black hood, black-painted wheels, custom seat covers and other minor trim details.

Jeep Crew Chief 715 Concept

This massive pickup truck is based on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and pays tribute to military Jeep vehicles of the past, especially the Kaiser M715. However, the difference is that in this case, it has four doors and a back seat.

The Crew Chief rides on 20-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 40-inch military tires, while an on-board air system to inflate the truck’s tires or help other vehicles in the trails. The pickup also features a five-foot bed, rock rails, a winch, remote reservoir shocks, leather bucket seats with canvas inserts and a “Tactical Green” paint job. It’s powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep FC 150 Concept

FC stands for Forward Control, which referred to the sensation felt behind the wheel, as the driver was basically sitting on the front axle. This modern-day FC 150 is based on a 2005 Jeep Wrangler (or TJ as it was called in Canada at the time), but with a modified chassis so a Dana 44 front axle and a Dana 60 rear axle would fit. The truck also features 17-inch white steel wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires.

The retro theme continues on the inside, as the FC 150 Concept gets vinyl seat covers, a duck hunting pattern and a CB radio. Under the hood is a 4.0-litre inline-six connected to a three-speed automatic.

Jeep Renegade Commander Concept

Probably the less eccentric of the bunch, the Renegade Commander shows off how Jeep’s subcompact SUV can be tricked out with Mopar and Jeep Performance parts. It includes a two-inch lift kit, 17-inch alloys with 29.5-inch all-terrain tires, rock rails, skid plates and a modified exhaust.

The Commander is dressed in a paint called “Fluorescent Gray,” and inside, it gets Katzkin seat covers, body-colour accenting and a pedal kit. It’s powered by a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Jeep Active Drive Low 4WD system.

Jeep Shortcut Concept

This vehicle is a throwback to the Jeep CJ-5, based on a Wrangler, but with a body shortened by 26 inches and unique body panels. It also benefits from fender flares, red-painted 17-inch alloy wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires and a modified exhaust.

The Shortcut also features Dana 44 axles front and rear, a two-inch lift kit and Fox shocks. The interior boasts leather bucket seats with plaid inserts, a red ball shifter and a safety cage. Under the hood, the Jeep Shortcut gets a 3.6-litre V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep Trailstorm Concept

Hailed as the “ultimate Jeep Wrangler for exploring off the beaten path,” the Trailstorm has an elevated body with a two-inch lift kit, 17-inch alloys with 37-inch tires, Jeep Performance Parts/Fox shocks, a winch and Dana 44 front and rear axles.

It also features Katzkin seat covers, a black grille, LED headlights and fog lamps, a vented hood, a fastback soft top and camouflage wrapping. It’s powered by a 3.6-litre V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep Trailcat Concept

The hot rod of the group, the Trailcat’s most significant feature is found underhood. FCA’s raging supercharged, 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 and a six-speed manual transmission provide 707 horsepower, and fitting this powertrain in the concept required stretching the Jeep Wrangler’s wheelbase by 12 inches. It also gets 17-inch wheels, 39.5-inch tires, Dana 60 front and rear axles as well as Fox shocks.

The Jeep Trailcat also features a chopped windshield, a vented hood, a black grille, LED headlights and fog lamps and Hellcat logos on its flanks. The interior gets sport bucket seats lifted from a Dodge Viper and covered with Katzkin leather.

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