Jeep Blends Retro and Modern Themes in Latest Moab Concepts

• The Easter Jeep Safari is a massive off-road gathering in Moab, Utah, during the last week in March.
  

• The design team prepared a custom Gladiator, Grand Wagoneer, and a pair of custom Wranglers ahead of the event.

• These custom concepts highlight the design team’s prowess but also feature pieces available out of the Jeep Performance Parts catalog.

It’s March, and that means two things: College basketball and Jeep concepts. Ahead of the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, the team at Jeep has revealed the latest round of customized Jeep products.

Spread across the portfolio, Jeep prepared a Gladiator, Grand Wagoneer, and two different approaches at a custom Wrangler. While these custom concepts won’t hit the dealership anytime soon, the company has borrowed some ideas from these concepts over the years and shuffled them into production.

Jeep Wrangler Low Down Concept

Kicking off the concept run, it’s probably most wise to discuss the pair of Wrangler machines. The first Wrangler echoes another Easter Jeep Concept that was dubbed the Lower 40 concept over a decade ago and is clearly the inspiration for the modern Low Down Concept.

This new concept rides on 42 inches of BFGoodrich Krawler rubber that wraps a set of 20-inch wheels. Surprisingly, these massive tires are managed by a stock Wrangler Rubicon suspension. Dana 60 axles fore and aft pack 5.38:1 gearsets to take the power from the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and send it to that big tire package.

Naturally, there’s plenty of custom bodywork. High-clearance fender flares are tasked with covering the tires and keeping things from rubbing. Shortened front and rear bumpers help with approach and departure angles. Jeep also made a custom see-through power dome hood to show off the 6.4-liter mill.

The rear door handles were deleted to make it look like an LJ-series Wrangler despite having two more doors. Jeep finished this custom Wrangler in poison apple red. A minimalist, motorsport-inspired interior helps round out this Wrangler.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys Dispatcher Concept

The second custom Wrangler dubbed the Jeep Willys Dispatcher started life as a Jeep Wrangler 4xe. This custom 4xe rides on a set of 36-inch Traxion tires that wrap a set of 16-inch by 7-inch alloy faux steel wheels. This tall and narrow concept harks back to vintage offroading, and it sports a Warn winch housed in the custom front bumper and is finished in element 115 green.

While the outside is relatively mild, this PHEV Wrangler features an over-the-top interior, with custom houndstooth and leather seat covers to accent the vintage vibe. A JPP swimsuit top and vinyl floor covering round out the old-school aesthetic.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon High Top Concept

Jeep’s custom Gladiator also leans into yesterday’s styling with a wild custom finish. Dubbed Gingersnap, this Gladiator sports a two-tone ginger snap metallic finish with a black graphic package—looking like it was ripped right out of the 1980s.

This custom pickup rides on a set of 40-inch BFGoodrich K03 tires that wrap 18-inch KMC Grenade Crawl wheels. Concept JPP flat fenders advance the vintage style and could one day make their way to the JPP catalog.

Like the other off-roaders, this Gladiator sports a set of Dana 60 axles that pack 5.38 to 1 gears. A modified AEV front bumper houses a Warn winch, and an AccuAir air suspension gives you an adjustable ride height.

Jeep Vacationeer Concept

Rounding out the custom Jeeps is the Vacationeer. Based on the Grand Wagoneer Series III, this custom luxe family hauler leans into the overlanding lifestyle. Riding on a set of 35-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires that wrap 18-inch wheels, this Jeep still has some off-roading chops. There’s also a custom woodgrain graphic that ties its spearmint paint to the Wagoneer’s heritage.

While the color looks cool, the biggest change might be the roof tent and interior. The folks at Jeep removed the second and third row of seats to make this rig better suited for sleeping. There’s also a custom, carbon-fiber RedTail Overland SkyLoft that sits on the roof.

Accessing this pop-up tent is as easy as climbing through the hole in the roof that Jeep made. That’s right: You climb into the roof tent from inside the cabin. A custom Kiel James interior rounds out the major changes.

Sorry, none of these custom machines are for sale, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of these styling decisions trickle down to the production lines—namely, that woodgrain graphic. If you want to see these in person, they’ll all be at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah this month.

Have a favorite of these Moab concepts? Tell us below.