2024 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Low-Boy V-8 Wrangler, Retro Gladiator, and a Vacationeer

It’s time for the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari, and that also means Stellantis’ off-road Jeep brand has some off-roader concepts that give us a peek into the minds of its designers. This annual parade of concepts also give us a taste of what might be coming from Jeep in the future, including for new colors, options, and accessory parts for the Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Wagoneer, and others. Here are the concepts from the 2024 EJS that still caught our attention, four vehicles consisting of a JL, JT, and WS all gussied up and looking their best for Moab, Utah.

Wrangler Unlimited 392 Low Down Concept

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Not everyone likes a sky-high Jeep, and some of those niche folks still enjoy getting off the pavement and getting there fast. The Low Down concept adopts lessons from the Lower 40 JK-generation two-door Wrangler concept from 15 years ago and applies to a modern JL Wrangler Unlimited 392. This means it’s a four-door Wrangler set to a stock ride height but fitted with a set of BFGoodrich Krawler tires sized a massive 42x14.50R20. No, you aren’t reading that wrong, this is a JL set up with 42s—without a lift. But those tires did require a bit of interesting clearance work to get them to fit as well as a set of Dana 60 axles fitted with a set of 5.38:1 gears to drive these massive meats. These BFGs are then attached to those axles by a set of 20x9.0 RBP 50R Cobra beadlock wheels custom finished in bronze with black beadlock rings.

Even with this Jeep's stock height, the massive 42-inch tires still help with ground clearance along with the shorter front and rear bumpers. This also gives the tires some additional room along with the custom set of carbon fiber fenders that cover the rubber just enough. The front set feature LED running lights molded into the leading edge of the fenders and a set of gills on top. The rear fenders required a cut as they now extend into the rear doors. Further modifications to make room for those tires include removing the inner fender wells, but the body mods don’t stop there.

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While you’re drooling over that Poison Apple Red paint, you might just miss the fact that the rear door handles are missing. The designers were considering just welding the rear doors shut, but they also still wanted interior functionality and a way for rear passengers to get in. The compromise was to nix the exterior handles and fill the door sheetmetal and just let them open from the inside. The Low Down also pays homage to old race cars of the 1960s and 1970s, which is why you’ll find that unique stripe going three-quarters the way down the front body with “392” in an old-school lined font. Just above it is a “CG Rated” badge in a matching white that you might just miss it if you’re not paying attention. Out back, the tailgate features a retro “Jeep” logo and retro “4-Wheel Drive” logo under the left taillight.

Continuing to the top, the hood is a custom-made carbon fiber piece with a see-through “power dome” that’s reminiscent of ye olde racers thanks to the holes cut out and just waiting for a set of intake trumpets. Instead, the 392 remains stock with its 475-hp, 6.4-liter spec and filled using a unique race-style filler cap and “rocket fuel only” decal behind the left rear quarter panel. The roof features a bespoke red-tinted bikini top that allows light in, but will still protect the occupants from rest of the elements.

Dropping down into the interior you’ll find a set of custom black leather seats with cloth inserts and breather rings for the occupants. No need to worry about getting the floor dirty as it’s Rhino-lined to take whatever you happen to track (or those tires fling) in. To really set the idea that this is a racier Wrangler, the dashboard is a custom piece that features a radio delete. Why worry about music when all you’ll need to hear is that 392 roaring loud and proud? The dash is finished in the same Poison Apple Red as the exterior and a white “meatball” with the same retro “392” graphic as the front body adorns the dashboard.

Gladiator Rubicon High Top Concept

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This is the first of the Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) concepts, and this JT Rubicon is finished in a black retro-graphic to create a two-tone effect against the Ginger Snap metallic paint job. It also rides on a set of 40x13.50R18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires on a set of 18x9.0 KMC Grenade Crawl beadlocks in Satin Black. What we really dig are the set of JPP flat fender-inspired flares that are currently just concepts now, but we hope they become reality. These fenders along with the AccuAir air suspension allow those 40-inch tires to clear easily and allow the driver to increase clearance when the need arises. This Gladiator is also equipped with a set of Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gears to help the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 drive those large treads.

The front bumper is a modified version of an American Expedition Vehicles bumper with a low hoop to protect the Warn winch equipped inside it. The rock rails from Rock Slide Engineering have power steps built into them to allow easy entry and exit while a Decked truck bed storage system protects cargo while still allowing room in the bed for additional and taller cargo on top of it. Inside, new tan and black Alea leather quilted and perforated covers the seats while new JPP headrests adorn their tops. Sun protection is provided by a JPP sun bonnet while the floors feature JPP all-weather floor mats, door sill guards, and a pedal kit for the driver.

Grand Wagoneer Vacationeer Concept

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Finally, we have a new take on an overlanding Wagoneer, but with a Grand-er throwback. The Spearmint-colored Grand Wagoneer is known as the Vacationeer and brings back nostalgia in not just its color scheme and woodgrain stripe, but also in the idea of the family vacation vehicles the original Wagoneer and later Grand Wagoneer models were through the 1960s to the early 1990s. First up, the minty Grand Wagoneer is sitting on 35-inch diameter BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires on a set of 18x9.0 Method Racing 701 wheels. To fit these larger tires, the wheel openings were enlarged, and a set of fender flare extensions cover them and add an aggressive look. The front bumper features a quartet of Baja Designs XL Laser pods and a Warn winch mounted inside. The tow hooks and grille inserts are painted in bronze to match the woodgrain decal stripe.

The roof is Rhino-lined white to match the mirror caps and accent striping on the woodgrain decal, but also features two interesting additions. First is the trio of TYRI V12 LED light bars for additional forward nighttime vision, but the one that grabs your attention is the custom, carbon fiber RedTail Overland Skyloft rooftop tent. It’s a climate-controlled escape that has its own air conditioning system, but entry is done through the rear doors of the Wagoneer, as you need the floor space to climb up through the roof. There is an exterior step that doubles as a small table that comes down the side of this vintage-inspired SUV.

The interior features custom cloth and Tupelo leather seats designed by Kiel James Patrick. The New England–inspired inserts feature various iconic and classic Jeeps, which you’ll also find on the cloth pillow cases and picnic throw, to go along with the vintage set of luggage cases and plants in the cup holders. Otherwise, the retro-inspired Vactioneer is powered by the very modern 3.0-liter twin turbo Hurricane 510 pushing 510 hp, and 500 lb-ft of torque through the Torqueflite eight-speed automatic and those 35-inch tires.

2024 Easter Jeep Safari Jeep Concepts Gallery

There are more images from the Easter Jeep Safari and the concepts from Jeep. Check them out and see which one grabs your eyes or has a part you want to see become reality for your own Jeep project.