These Special Jeeps Really Make the Grade

Every Easter for the past 49 years die-hard Jeep enthusiasts have gathered in Moab, Utah to show off their vehicles, and to take on some of the country’s toughest terrain. This year, Jeep is bringing some specially modified vehicles to the trail head.

According to Jeep, there will be seven new concept vehicles on hand for the Jeep faithful to ogle at 49th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

These special Jeeps have all been modified using a range of Mopar and Jeep Performance parts:

Jeep Chief – This was built as a tribute to the classic 1970s era full-size Jeep Cherokee. Jeep said that this Wrangler-based concept vehicle, “…evokes the west coast surfer lifestyle of sun and fun with a nod to nostalgic beach rides.” It comes with vintage Ocean Blue exterior colors and a white, French Bread roof. The interior is Hawaiian-themed, with Jeep-designed “Surfer” pink, blue and white flowered cloth and leather-trimmed seats.

Jeep Staff Car – As the name implies, this Jeep is meant to evoke the classic Jeep military service vehicles. It’s an open-air Wrangler 4-door-based concept vehicle with basic wheels, minimalist fender flares, a “hungry horse” stretched canvas roof and bench seats. The Sandstorm exterior color scheme is carried throughout the vehicle, and there’s a vintage military gas can on the back.

Jeep Wrangler Africa – This Jeep is designed for back-country and overland expeditions, with room for extra gear and auxiliary fuel tanks. It features Desert Tan exterior paint, a high-clearance steel front bumper with winch, power step rock rails, power dome vented hood, an extended rear body and high-top roof.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander – Based on the Grand Cherokee, the Overlander offers Sage Green exterior paint, an integrated front winch, tow hooks, larger wheel flares, SRT tail lamps and hood, off-road rock rails, front and rear skid plates, and 18-inch milled wheels with BF Goodrich All-terrain T/A tires. There’s also a 3.0-liter diesel V-6 engine mated to the eight-speed Torqueflight transmission.

Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk – This one is based on the all-new Jeep Renegade. It features a Desert Tan exterior, and an interior with Mopar Katzkin seat covers, body color bezel accents and Mopar all-weather floor mats.

Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail – With its Desert Tan exterior and Satin Black hood, this Jeep Cherokee-based concept looks nothing like a typical grocery-getter. The interior features Mopar Katzkin leather seat covers, an embroidered logo on the headrests, body color bezel accents, a cargo tray mat, Jeep Cargo Management System, Moab Off-road bag and all-weather floor mats.

Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder – Another Wrangler-based concept, the Red Rock Responder is a support vehicle built with the best off-road equipment available. It is tailor-made to respond to any vehicle emergency with spare parts and tools stored in the built-in drawers and compartments of the cargo box.

The Easter Jeep Safari is a nine-day event that includes trail rides and day long trips. It was started in 1967 by the Moab Chamber of Commerce as a one-day trail ride, but has grown dramatically over the years. The event’s “Big Saturday” wraps it up on the Saturday of Easter weekend.