For more than half a century, Jeep enthusiasts have been congregating in Moab, Utah to show off their rigs and demonstrate their capabilities. The Jeep brand showed up to the 2023 event with five Jeep concepts and one restomod to highlight how loyalists can customize their ride with real Mopar parts. On April 7th, 2023, Jeep announced just what it would bring to that year’s Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in 2023. Here’s a look at what showed up.
Jeep Wayout
Designed to show off Mopar’s overlanding accessories, the Wayout was outfitted with all you’d need to roam far from the trail. This included a bed rack and ladder topped with a roof-top tent and canopy. The rig also received two auxiliary gas tanks and body mounted air supply lines. A bed-drawer system further improved usability. All of this sat atop 37 inch tires and a 2 inch lift kit.
Jeep Flatbill
Inspired by motocross culture, the Flatbill was designed with dirt bike riders in mind. One of the most unique features is a removed tail gate and added, integrated wheel ramps that slide out for easy loading of bikes. This rig is fit with 40 inch tires, marking the first time such large rubber was mounted on a Gladiator by the Mopar team.
Jeep Five-Quarter
Jeep didn’t just bring new rides to Moab. Based on a 1968 M-715 Gladiator military vehicle, the Mopar team transformed the body, drivetrain and chassis. Custom touches included carbon fiber panels, a link/coil suspension system, a Dynatrac Pro-rock 60 front axle and a Dynatrac Pro-rock 80 in the back, with 40 inch tires all around. Power is supplied by a 6.2 liter supercharged Hellcate Hemi V8 that puts out 700 horsepower.
Jeep J6
Should Jeep make a two door truck? If they did, this is what it might look like. Built from a Rubicon, it features a six foot bed and a host of Jeep performance parts. More of a styling exercise than anything, it features a prototype paint-matched spray in bed liner and an interior that also matches.
Jeep JT Scrambler
Who doesn’t love the ’80s? This mullet inspired Gladiator, er Scrambler, is designed to cross generations and mountains. With 17-inch wheels wrapped in 37s, LED lights mounted on the roll bar, a brush guard and a cold-air intake on the 3.6 liter engine and more, you’re sure to get where you’re going in style.
Jeep Gladiator Gravity
The last ride on the list is for the rock climbers, and no, we aren’t talking about free soloing skyscapers. This is a get out and get up rig with Jeep Performance Parts 2 inch steel tube doors, a 2 inch lift kit, 35 inch tires over 17 inch gear wheels, rock rails and 7 inch auxillary LEDs up front. It also has a cold-air intake and a cat-back exhaust.
The history of Jeep is storied, getting its start as a battle-hardened rig during World War II. The Willys civilian brand that evolved from those machines launched the SUV marketplace before sports utility vehicle ever entered the nomenclature. After changing hands several times over the following decades, it has landed under the Stellantis corp, which also oversees Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall, DS, Abarth and Lancia.
