SIX NEW VEHICLES FOR EASTER JEEP SAFARI

4x4magazine | 06/04/2012 | 0 Comments

Jeep and Mopar have created six new vehicles – all featuring a host of Jeep Authentic Parts and Accessories – for the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, USA. Now in its 46th year and taking place March 31 – April 8, the Easter Jeep Safari will be attended by thousands of die-hard off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of wheeling on some of the country’s most renowned and challenging trails.

Mopar also announced the creation of an off-road division that will create Jeep Authentic Parts and Accessories. Each part and accessory will be specifically designed, built and quality-tested in order to meet strict Jeep specifications and fulfill the Jeep brand’s requirements for 4×4 capability, craftsmanship and versatility. Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have teamed to create more than 30 unique concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept
The new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk concept takes the premium Jeep vehicle’s legendary off-road prowess to a new level, while providing a one-of-a-kind, more aggressive visual punch sure to delight Jeep enthusiasts. Leading the off-road improvement are new 18-inch Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor off-road tires – chosen to provide even more aggressive off-road performance combined with quiet highway manners – that are wrapped around new painted 5-spoke alloy Mineral Gray wheels. Grand Cherokee Trailhawk’s SilentArmor tires include additional side-wall protection that enhances durability and reduces road noise. Modified Mopar rock rails – engineered to fully protect the lower body from rugged rocky terrain – are included and add to the functional off-road capability.
Visually, while the vehicle is featured in Stone White, a Mineral Gray and Red theme is highlighted throughout. Specifically, the grille surround, lower front applique, mirror caps and rear light bar join the wheels in Mineral Gray, while contrasting in eye-catching Red are the upper grille mesh, front and rear tow hooks, Jeep logos on wheel center caps and bolt holes in the alloy wheels. A Red trim line outlines a matte black hood applique that is utilized to reduce glare during technical off-road maneuvers.
Other unique touches include black headlamp surrounds, black exterior front and rear badging, Red “Trail Rated” badges on the front fenders and a unique “Trailhawk” badge on the rear tailgate.

Jeep Wrangler Apache
Jeep enthusiasts have been asking for a V-8 powered Jeep HEMI Wrangler, and Mopar is coming through. Debuting at the Easter Jeep Safari will be the new Mopar 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine conversion kit specifically for the Jeep Wrangler. Producing approximately 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels, the Mopar V-8 conversion kit gives Jeep enthusiasts an unprecedented blend of power and capability.
Available this summer, the Mopar Wrangler V-8 conversion kit initially will mate to Chrysler Group’s W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission, and eventually to the six-speed manual transmission that drives the 2012 production Wrangler.
Other performance parts on the Jeep Wrangler Apache are Mopar Pro 60 5.13 front and rear axles, a 4.5-inch Stage 3 long arm lift kit and off-road bead-lock wheels. Aesthetic and functional modifications include high-clearance flat fenders, rock rails, front and rear half-door kits, a Stinger front bumper, a Warn 9.5ti XP winch, Katzkin leather seats, a locking center console box and a Mopar branded interior.

Jeep Mighty FC Concept
The Jeep Forward Control was built from 1956 to 1965 and offered a clever packaging solution. It kept overall length at a minimum for maneuverability but maintained a full-length cargo box for utility. Now Jeep has created a modern version of this classic.
To create the Jeep Mighty FC concept, the design team started with a 2012 Wrangler Rubicon and repositioned the cabin over and ahead of the front axle, lengthened the wheelbase, and added a custom built drop-side cargo box. The cab utilizes a roof from the Mopar JK-8 conversion kit, as well as a custom-designed front clip. The Wrangler-based interior has been enhanced with bold, heavy-duty Katzkin leather and a unique color scheme. The cargo area is handled by a full-width, drop-side tray-style bed that measures more than eight feet in length.
Off-road function is dramatically improved with the addition of Mopar’s new Portal Axle set. These offset axles offer the greatest amount of ground clearance without requiring excessive suspension lift. The axles are controlled with King coil-over assemblies along with beefy Teraflex control arms and track bars. Traction is handled by massive 40-inch tires mounted on custom Hutchinson 17-inch beadlock wheels. Other Jeep Mighty FC highlights include King coil-over reservoir shocks, Hanson bumpers, a Warn 16.5 winch and a Corsa stainless steel exhaust system.

Jeep J-12 Concept
The Jeep J-12 concept is essentially an extended version of Mopar’s recently introduced JK-8 pickup conversion kit for the Jeep Wrangler. With a new 2012 Wrangler Unlimited as the starting point, the rear of the vehicle’s frame is extended 18 inches, allowing the spare tire to be relocated under the bed floor and making the cargo box a full six feet in length. A custom hood and front fender set was created as a nod to aficionados of the beloved Jeep Gladiator series trucks.
Off-road muscle has been improved with the addition of the new Mopar three-inch suspension lift kit, as well as Teraflex sway bars controlling ARB air-locker equipped Dynatrac D-44 and D-60 axle assemblies. Traction is handled through classic 36-inch tires mounted on 16-inch steel wheels.
The cabin of the J-12 concept has been “dressed down” in support of a basic truck theme, with the carpet being replaced by rugged truck bed liner, and the bucket seats re-crafted into a modern version of a bench seat, trimmed in white with a whimsical plaid pattern.

Mopar Accessorized 2012 Jeep Wrangler
Mopar offers more than 250 accessories for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and created an ultra-capable Jeep, with a Wrangler Rubicon model as the starting point. Off-road enhancements offered through Mopar include a two-inch performance lift kit, 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires mounted on Classic five-hole wheels, front and rear off-road bumpers, a Warn 9.5ti XP winch, Mopar rock rails, Kicker dash 6.5-inch two-way speakers, Mopar all-weather mats and more.
Some prototype Mopar accessories debuting on this vehicle are a locking center console box, a rear cargo cubby cover, new windshield-mounted LED lamps, a new hard-top headliner and an “Add-A-Trunk” partition that creates secure storage space in the cargo area.
The Mopar Accessorized 2012 Jeep Wrangler includes Rubicon-standard Dana 44 front and rear axles with electric lockers, which are also available in kit form from Mopar.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Traildozer Concept
To prepare the Jeep Wrangler Traildozer for Moab’s toughest trails, Jeep Design worked closely with the American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) engineering team to bring it to life. Starting with a new Dozer Yellow 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the team added a bolt-in 470 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine mated to a Getrag 238 six-speed manual transmission. Power runs through Rubicon-specific Dana 44 axles equipped with 4:10 gears and electronic locking differentials.
To clear the 37-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radials mounted on Mopar Classic five-spoke wheels, an AEV Dualsport RS 3.5-inch suspension lift was installed. For severe off-road body protection, Mopar premium front and rear bumpers and rear corner guards were added. Additional items include a Mopar performance heat reduction hood, Mopar half-door kit and a Mopar/Warn 9.5 Cti winch.