First held as a small single-day event in 1967, the Easter Jeep Safari has grown into a nationally-recognized nine-day off-roading extravaganza hosted by Moab’s Red Rock 4-Wheelers four-wheel-drive club that attracts over 20,000 enthusiasts from all over the globe. Starting in 2008, Jeep began preparing fleets of one-off concept vehicles for the annual EJS — a tradition that the brand has continued each year, culminating in the seven latest one-off-roaders that have been whipped up for the event’s 57th annual running — all of which are built through a joint effort between Jeep and Jeep Performance Parts By Mopar.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept
Built as a platform and test mule to push the boundaries of 4×4 electrification, the first of the concepts is the Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept — a one-off EV off-roader based on a two-door 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This third-generation concept has an upgraded custom-built axial flux electric motor that sits under a transparent hood, comes loaded with three drive modes, and cranks out up to 650hp and 900ft-lbs of torque — a more than 20% boost over the second-gen concept. Riding on 20” off-road beadlock wheels wrapped in 40” mud tires, the concept also boasts redesigned Bpillars, a custom roll bar setup, a one-off front bumper, Dynatrac axles fore and aft, and a custom white and surf blue livery.
Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept
A modern homage to Jeep’s early ‘80s Scrambler CJ-8, the Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept started life as a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, though has been trimmed down to a two-door setup before being gifted a one-off roof, 40” all-terrain tires wrapped around a set of custom five-arm Y-spoke 20” rims, a modified interior with custom seats upholstered in black leather with bespoke laid blue inserts and green accent stitching, and carbon fiber bodywork including vented flared fenders and a one-off hood, all cloaked in a Sublime green paint job with bespoke “Scrambler 392” graphics. Powering the concept is a 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 that puts down 470hp and 470ft-lbs of torque.
1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept
Like Jeep and Mopar’s 4×4 CJ Surge one-off SEMA build from late last year, the firms’ new 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept build is based on a vintage model that’s been heavily upgraded and modernized while retaining much of its original visual DNA. Paying tribute to Jeeps’ game-changing Cherokee SJ, this restomod project is kicked along by the hybrid, dual motor-equipped, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine used in the Jeep Wrangler 4xe — a mill that’s been paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that’s mated to a 4:1 transfer case and sends power to a set of 17” slotted mag-style wheels wrapped in beefy 37” rubber.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept
Building on another existing fan-favorite concept is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept. Sitting on a lift kit and a set of 17” AEV Borah wheels, the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept comes loaded with an adjustable AccuAir air suspension setup, a WARN Zeon winch, and differential covers and front and rear bumpers courtesy of AEV. Contrasting the concept’s pink-hued paint job is the build’s interior which features custom leather upholstery, metal grommets, a black patent leather dash panel adorned with a zipper trim, and a host of magenta accents including on the cabins grab handles, door handles, and gear shifter.
Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept
Putting an ultra-premium spin on typical EJS one-offs, the Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept sees Jeep’s recently-revived luxury 7-seat SUV bestowed with the go-anywhere treatment in the form of a truck bed-lined cargo floor, a black Rhino-lined roof, 2nd and 3rd-row seat deletes, a custom carbon fiber-shelled RedTail Overland Skyloft RTT, a WARN winch integrated into the vehicle’s grille along with two pairs of custom laser lights, a 1.5” lift kit, a custom front chin and rear valance, and fender flares at all four corners that open up space for the build’s custom 18” wheels and 35” tires. Pushed along by a 510-hp 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 engine, the Grand Wagoneer build has also been cloaked in an Industrial Green livery with Gunmetal accents.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept
Demonstrating the modular nature and potential for customization of what’s already America’s best-selling and most capable PHEV, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept has been bestowed with an generous list of off-road upgrades comprised of both off-the-shelf and bespoke items. Wearing a Dark Harbor blue exterior, the concept has been treated to a set of 17” Vintage Bronze KMC Impact OL wheels wrapped in 37” BFGoodrich tires, JPP tube doors, a custom convertible tube gate, custom rock rails with mounted slider tubes, one-off flat-fared fenders with wheel-liners and removable DRL covers, spare wheel and tire mount, a trio of pivoting concept header-mounted, 11” TYRI rectangular LED lights set on custom brackets, and a custom-designed tubular grille guard with an integrated winch and a folding front bench seat.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept
Last but certainly not east we have the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept — a one-off-roader that sports a slew of go-anywhere upgrades along with an unmistakable factory-level finish. The Jeep has been gifted a pair of roof-mounted TYRI rectangular LED lights, a carbon fiber and steel concept JPP Gladiator Sport Bar, a JPP 2” lift kit backed by BILSTEIN performance shocks, six-arm JRE FT1 wheels shod in 37” BFG rubber, a custom front bumper with unintegrated WARN winch, a custom tailgate, a bed-mounted full-size spare held in a custom rack, and the build’s piece de resistance, a sleek set of custom bodywork with integrated recesses and racks that accommodate a flush-mounted RotoPaX fuel cell and a pair of Pelican gearboxes.
While each of the seven Easter Jeep Safari Concept builds merely exist as one-offs, there’s a very decent chance that several of the prototype parts used on these vehicles will eventually be available as optional upgrades.
