It’s that wonderful time to of the year to be a Jeep Fan! Of course, we’re talking about the Easter Jeep Safari and Jeep’s project reveals. What hints are we seeing now that will be used in future Jeeps?

The Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) is the event that fans of the brand salivate over, wanting to see what projects the brand of freedom has created. Sometimes these displays show the directions Jeep wants to go with current or even future products. Many times, though, these are just prototypes that won’t be used for anything more than just displays. However, builders take many of the ideas from these projects and makes them come to life in one way or another.

It’s a Gladiator year for EJS. Of course, this is the latest vehicle to debut from Jeep so it shouldn’t be a surprise it’s getting such attention. That’s not to say that some of the elements in these truck Jeeps can’t be applied to the JL or even the JK by a talented builder or fabricator. Let’s look at some of the EJS Jeeps that you’ll see this year in 2019.

 

The Jeep Gladiator Gravity

If you’re looking for what you can do when you buy your Gladiator from the dealer, the Jeep Gladiator Gravity shows what Mopar has to offer. This one even features a brilliant factory color – Punk’N Metallic Orange.

Even with a bed, the Gladiator will always need ways to carry more stuff beyond its cargo area. Mopar responded with a set of cross rails that work with a cargo carrier basket. Underneath, in the cargo box, is a Mopar-branded Decked truck bed storage system. Decked has been long popular with the overlanding and outdoor sports communities, so it’s no surprise to see them apply their trade to the new Gladiator.

 

To enhance that open-air feeling that you can only get with a Wrangler and Gladiator, the Gravity is equipped with a set of Mopar tubular steel doors made from 2-inch OD tubing. A mesh net covers the occupants without cutting out the sunlight.

Installed is the new Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit for the Gladiator, which allows the installation of 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires on 17-inch Jeep Gear wheels. Jeep Performance Parts rock rails are thicker than the stock rails and longer while also getting powder coated in a non-slip finish – just like Ram Truck beadliners are done. Jeep Performance parts five-inch LED lights flank the A-pillars while two matching seven-inch LED lights are installed on a bullbar.

 

Interior parts include a set of Katzkin leather seats with the Jeep grille logo in Tungsten stitching, Mopar grab handles on the roof bars, MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) bags for storage, and all-weather floor mats and a plug system for draining water and debris from the floor.

 

The Jeep Wayout

Overlanding just continues to gain popularity in the off-road world, despite hardcore trail drivers trying to pass it up as a fad. Jeep has taken that lifestyle and applied it to a Gladiator with the Wayout concept painted in a factory Gator Green on the body and desert tan roof.

 

Sitting on top of a custom bed rack is a roof matching custom tent. Also attached to the passenger side is a canopy with amber LED task lights that the give Wayout campers a shaded area to sit and grill at. Inside the bed is a Mopar-branded Decked bed storage system. However, the unique pair of items are the bed-integrated jerry cans with quick twist mounts that flank each rear side of the 37-inch tall Falken Wildepeak M/T tires on custom 17-inch solid face steel wheels. Its stance comes from a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift.

 

The Jeep Flatbill

Well, the name seems somewhat condescending to motocross guys to us. However, the Jeep Flatbill offers all the things a Gladiator Rubicon would need to run a pair of dirtbikes and have a matching design to that lifestyle.

 

Under its wild livery are a set of carbon-fiber high-clearance fenders, vented carbon hood (with the “Rubicon” logo cutout), shortened front bumper with an improved skid plate for better approach angles. The rear features a custom tube bumper that helps increase departure angle with a bed that was modified to make loading motorcycles easier, including lowering the bed floor, removing the tailgate, and integrating a set of sliding loading ramps.

 

The stock Gladiator Dana 44s have been replaced by a pair of Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 axles that have an Off-Road Evolution four-inch custom lift installed along with a set of King Off-Road Racing Shocks bypass shocks. On the 20-inch Method Race Wheels are a set of 40-inch Maxxis Razr MT tires.

 

The Jeep J6

The Jeep J6 is a callback to the original Jeep Truck made by custom-designed, two-door Gladiator. Those who had complained about the Gladiator being too long are most likely salivating at this concept.

 

It was originally a Rubicon frame that was cut, shortened, and sectioned to make it into a two-door vehicle. However, cargo space wasn’t sacrificed as it utilizes a six-foot bed (that’s 12-inches longer than the production Gladiator bed). It’s also sprayed in a color-matching bedliner that Jeep is prototyping in this concept – Metallic Brilliant Blue from the 1978 Jeep Honcho. Despite the section and longer bed, the wheelbase of the J6 is 118.4-inches, the same length as the Jeep JL Wrangler Unlimited.

 

Inside the bed and expanding upwards is a prototype sport roll bar made from 2.25-inch OD steel tube with four Jeep Performance Parts LED lights over the roof and tow pointed into the bed. Attached to the bed floor is a prototype spare tire carrier that mount the 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 spare tire in a prerunner style. It’s mounted on a Jeep Prototype 17-inch Beadlock in Brass Monkey bronze on the wheel with a brilliant silver color on the ring which matches what’s attached to the axles.

To clear those 37-inch tires, a Jeep Performance parts two-inch lift kit was added to the Rubicon suspension. Further off-road performance includes a prototype two-inch steel stinger bar attached to the Rubicon front bumper, custom rock rails welded to the Gladiator rails, and Jeep Performance Parts LED lights accent the front bumper and A-pillars, giving this J6 a total of 10 LED lights.

 

The Jeep JT Scrambler

Continuing the New-Retro theme, the Jeep JT Scrambler is a callback to the original CJ Scrambler, just with two extra doors since it’s made from a Gladiator Rubicon. It’s also a mix of custom and Jeep Performance Parts touches.

 

Anyone who remembers the CJ8 and the 80s will instantly be remined of that era thanks to the required Punk’N Metallic Orange and Nacho stripes on the white exterior and reach over and on to the hood. The sprayed bedliner bed features a white sport roll bar with Jeep Performance Parts LED Lights. Four light up the road ahead while two light up the cargo area. A brush guard mounted to the front bumper also mounts a pair of Jeep Performance Parts seven-inch LED lights.

 

A set of 17-inch Jeep Slot Wheels are customized in a concept only bronze to tie into the Scrambler theme. With the addition of a Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, the fenders clear a set of 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain M/T KM3 tires. Hopping into the Scrambler is made easier with a pair of Jeep Performance Parts rock rails with non-slip grips on the top.

 

The Jeep M-715 Five-Quarter

An EJS tradition for Mopar is the Resto-Mod of old Jeep vehicles bought just for that sole purpose. This year, they choose a 1968 Jeep M-715 that was based on the original SJ-chassis Gladiator that replaced the Dodge M880 in 1976. It was also known as the “five-quarter-ton” as its payload rating 1.25-tons (5/4-ton is the improper fraction form of 1 1/4-ton) and hence the project’s name of “Five-Quarter.”

There isn’t much left of the original sheet metal on the front end. What could be replaced with it has been made of Carbon Fiber. The rear bed is also no longer original sheet metal, being replaced with a bobbed version made from aluminum sheets. Mesh replaces many of those panels, especially the tailgate. The top is still soft, but is 3.5-inches lower.

 

The headlights are modernized with HID lighting with Rigid Industries LED auxiliary lights in the custom modified JT Rubicon bullbar front bumper. On the sides, the rocker panels have been replaced and a set of rock rails replace them for off-road function.

 

Further capability comes from a pair of Dynatrac Pro-Rock Axles, a Pro-Rock 60 in the front and a Pro-Rock 80 in the rear. 20-inch custom beadlock wheels are mounted to a set of 40-inch Maxxis Razr M/T tires. A “Hellcrate” Hemi 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces over 700-horsepower to all four wheels. Inside, a set of custom, headrest free Wrangler seats sit the driver and passenger while an old 8-71 supercharger serves as the transmission and transfer case shifter housing. Custom, water-jetted aluminum components new panels and dashboard.

 

Easter is always good for a Jeeper

The Easter Jeep Safari always brings out the best from Jeep. From new products you can buy off the showroom floor, concept parts you’ll probably see in the coming years, or just some amazing, Mopar modified vehicles. With reveals like this, EJS will continue to be a paradise for the Jeep faithful and probably end up making new followers at the same time.