Each year, Jeep debuts concept vehicles at the annual Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) in Moab, Utah. Moab, often called “the spiritual home” of the brand, EJS attracts tens of thousands of Jeep enthusiasts to Moab for a week of wheeling, custom rigs, and “Jeep Waves.”
This year marked 60 years of EJS and 85 years of the Jeep brand.
Jeep’s yearly concepts always offer one-off design features mixed with popular modifications to create things that “could be.” The rigs are often an amalgam of in-house customization and aftermarket parts to create Jeeps that the public looks forward to every year around Easter. Plus, they are often a preview of trends and parts to come.
Driving Jeep’s 6 EJS Concepts in Moab
Jeep showcased six concepts this year, and I drove all of them. They even showed up with a race car (no seat time in that, however). Our setting was the fantastic Fins & Things trail, offering a little of everything Moab has: steep slick rock, sand, and craggy stair steps.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Commander Concept
The Grand Wagoneer Commander represents Jeep’s full-size 7+ passenger SUV. With a 2-inch Rock Krawler lift, 35×11.50R20 Nitto Recon Grappler A/T tires, and Raceline wheels, this Grand Wagoneer got more off-road ability. A custom roof rack and Baja Designs lights added functionality; a topo map graphic mimicked the old woodgrain decals from Grand Wagoneers of days past, but with a modern flair.
This was a big vehicle to take off-road, and being a mild build, we didn’t attempt the trail’s steep slickrock climb. But the Commander Concept is still a Jeep and completed the course. However, with the lowest ground clearance of the bunch, you had to be extra careful picking a line.
Even though I have 20 years of off-roading experience, I came down on a rock and broke an attachment point for the electric running boards. Jeep removed the running boards after my drive. Perhaps custom rock sliders would’ve been a better choice for the build.
With a low-range transfer case, “rock” driving mode, and the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, the Commander Concept levels up Jeep’s big SUV. Even with a fully independent suspension, this Grand Wagoneer proved it can take you and the entire family way off the pavement.
Jeep Wrangler BUZZCUT Concept
BUZZCUT is a two-door Wrangler JL with a chopped top, custom roof rack, and loads of Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) items. With a 2-inch JPP lift and Bilstein shocks, 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires, and lots of TYRI lights, BUZZCUT shows what can be built using items from the JPP catalog.
Powered by the peppy 2.0L turbocharged engine, BUZZCUT made short work of the big climb and stairsteps on Fins & Things. It was nimble and super-capable, and it looked great. The bypass shocks also helped provide a supple ride over bumps.
The chopped top narrowed the windshield, making it harder to see out of, though. But no matter, this was a very cool Jeep. And who doesn’t love Vitamin C orange?
Jeep Gladiator Red Rock Concept
Red Rock was built for the organizers of the Easter Jeep Safari, the Red Rock 4 Wheelers. I was there when they handed over the keys to the organization! But before turning the truck over, we got to take it for a spin.
Built to help maintain trails and scout new ones, this Gladiator was built with get-it-done parts. The Rock Krawler Overland X PRO 3-inch lift kit and 37-inch BFG tires made the big climb effortless, as did the Gladiator’s long wheelbase.
It felt stable and confident everywhere. We didn’t need the WARN winch, Leitner rack, or the TYRI lights, but they’ll no doubt get used by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers when working on the trail. This was a case of all the parts coming together to create a great off-roader.
One of the coolest features was the upholstered interior roof panels. They featured photos and news clippings printed on fabric to showcase the club’s storied history. This rig will be in good hands with the Red Rock 4 Wheelers.
Jeep Cherokee XJ Pioneer Concept
Everyone knows someone who owned a Cherokee XJ — that’s true for me. My friend Doug had a 1987, and my father had a 1990 and a 2001. That ’01 eventually became mine.
This ’84 concept had the original 2.8L V6 with only 88,000 miles on it. It had a small lift from Old Man Emu, and 33-inch all-terrains from BFG on custom 17-inch wheels that looked like steelies.
The original gold paint was complemented by a brown roof. And while teals and hot pinks were signature ’80s colors, people often forget there were plenty of golds and browns too!
There were gobs of period-correct Easter eggs throughout, as well. From the Apple computer in the back, to the Rubix cube in the dash cubby — this was totally ’80s.
I got in, put it into drive, and ensured the Selec-Trac 4WD was engaged. It proceeded up a big climb without issue. The XJ didn’t have lockers and wore small tires compared to everything else. As I was cresting the climb, it got hung up in a hole, hopped a couple of times, and part of the driveline (a U-joint) let go, and I carefully coasted backward down the slickrock hill.
Unfortunately, that took the 42-year-old XJ out of commission toward the end of the day. I felt terrible, but hey, parts break — it’s part of off-roading. Regardless, this was such a cool, special retro rig.
Jeep Wrangler Laredo Concept
Back in the 1980s, the original Laredo package added just a chrome grille and chrome wheels to a Jeep CJ-7. Jeep took the Laredo’s minimalist spirit and applied it to a Wrangler Willys to create this retro ride concept. In fact, they even used a six-speed manual transmission to keep the old-school vibe alive. The slotted mag wheels were also perfect for this concept!
This was the first manual Jeep Wrangler JL I had ever driven. The shifter was light, and the clutch easy to modulate. To make it up the big climb, I simply kept it in low range and first gear.
If you regulate the throttle correctly, you’re easily up the hill. I stalled it toward the top, however. But starting on the hill was easy, thanks to hill hold, something I don’t have in my ’90s 4x4s with manuals.
This rig only had a rear locker, but that was enough to get around this trail. I loved the western-themed interior, overall retro vibe, and manual transmission. If I were going to take home a concept, this is the one I’d choose. It’s not over the top; it’s just right.
Jeep Wrangler ANVIL 715 Concept
With the famous 392 V8, a military-inspired style, and an overland theme, ANVIL 715 is stylistically the most interesting of the concepts this year. From the fixed roof with safari windows to the Kaiser-inspired front end, this is a rad rig.
The stout V8 requires nearly zero throttle input when climbing because it makes so much power. Beefy 37-inch BFG KO3 all-terrain tires provided plenty of grip on a big climb.
The center stack featured a large tablet with Trails Offroad maps for easy navigation, green seats, and a matching dash complemented the military-esque paintwork outside. The roof had a multitude of windows, and the headliner was a contrasting red. Yellow Baja Designs LEDs replaced the headlights for a menacing look.
FYI, the “715” was a nod to the Kaiser Jeep M-715 military rig. This is such a cool concept, and it fits Jeep’s goal of a blank canvas for overlanding. With a cool style, powerful V8, and perfect mods, ANVIL 715 was a crowd pleaser and a head-turner.
Not Driven: Jeep Wrangler Striker Race Rig
Mixed in with our ready-to-drive concepts was the Wrangler Striker Concept. This was a race-ready Wrangler built for speed.
Its heart was a fire-breathing Hellcat crate engine making 707 horsepower. This built beast had a tube chassis, 30 inches of rear suspension travel, and 20 inches of front travel thanks to custom independent suspension featuring FOX shocks, 42-inch Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires on bead-lock wheels, Currie axles, Wilwood brakes, and other race car bits.
And while it might seem like a sacrilege to put IFS on a Wrangler, if you want to win desert races, it’s what you use.
This was a real race vehicle, and it’ll be driven by racer Casey Currie. In fact, Striker was co-developed with Currie. We didn’t get to drive it or even ride in it. However, Currie started it up and revved it a couple of times. This thing was a total beast! It should be capable of speeds of 130+ mph for blasting through whatever the desert will throw at this behemoth.
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