JEEP Safari Concepts Released for 2019 Under JEEP Gladiator
By: Brett T. Evans
As usual, BAJA TruckZ will bring several concepts to the 2019 Jeep Safari, each and every one of them are pickups this year.
Jeep Five-Quarter
Some are based on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator,
but one of our favorites is actually a resto-mod of a 1968 M-715
“Five-Quarter” military truck. Starting from that 1 1/4–ton truck’s
bones, Jeep ditched the front sheetmetal and replaced it with a full
carbon-fiber front end, featuring styling that cleverly apes the old
truck’s. The all-new cargo box is bobbed to 6 feet, furnished with a
wood floor, and perforated with water jet–cut panels, including a
flow-through tailgate with a vintage Jeep logo. This feature is
obviously a nod to style rather than practicality, but we’ll forgive it
because it looks so good.
HID headlights, LED off-road lamps, and LED taillights
modernize the exterior lighting. There are also functional rock rails
that replace the original rocker panels, and modified Jeep Gladiator
Rubicon steel bumpers take the place of the original units. The body has
been further altered thanks to a 3.5-inch-lower soft top profile,
giving the truck a sinister, cut-down look.
Inside, the retro theme continues with low-back seats based on
those of the current Jeep Wrangler, while a water jet–cut instrument
panel and door panels provide some visual flash. An old supercharger
houses the shifter and transfer case levers.
Jeep J6
Another favorite of the batch is the Jeep J6, which is clearly based on the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL
but comes with several retro touches. The J6 started life as a Rubicon
Unlimited model before being custom-built into a two-door pickup with a
bed that’s a full foot longer than that of the Gladiator.
The J6’s Metallic Brilliant Blue paint is an homage to a color
available on the 1978 Jeep Honcho. Badging is clearly inspired by Jeeps
of the 1970s as well. The 6-foot cargo box is guarded by color-matching
spray-in bedliner, a feature we’re surprised we don’t see more
frequently. There’s also a prototype spare tire carrier and a sport bar
in the bed, the latter made from 2 ¼-inch steel and carrying four Jeep
Performance Parts LED lamps for off-road illumination. A prototype
bolt-on stinger bar mounts to the Rubicon front bumper, bringing with it
four more LEDs. Two more lighting elements are mounted to the
A-pillars, bringing the total to an even 10. Interior cosmetics are
improved via Katzkin leather upholstery with blue contrast stitching, an
auxiliary switch bank, a few production Mopar dress-up accessories.
Beadlock 17-inch wheels feature a Mopar “Brass Monkey” finish
and silver beadlock ring, and they’re mounted to aggressive 37-inch
tires. A production Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift kit adds some
additional clearance, helping the truck traverse obstacles more
frequently. There’s also a Jeep Performance Parts cold-air intake for
the otherwise-stock 3.6L V-6.
Jeep JT Scrambler
Inspired by the Jeep CJ8 Scrambler, the Jeep JT Scrambler is based on the 2020 Gladiator
pickup. Showroom-fresh Bright White paint conspires with Punk’N
Metallic and Nacho side stripes and hood graphics to impart a distinctly
1980s flair. The roof’s dark brown paint also contributes to the feel.
A body-color prototype sport bar in the bed extends the length
of the top rails, providing eight additional tie-down locations, as
well as mounting points for diffuse lighting that illuminates the bed.
Katzkin brown upholstery with orange bordering thread and dark grey Jeep
grille embroidery on the seats liven up the interior, and there’s a
switch bank, Mopar bright pedals, and all-weather floor mats on offer as
well.
A 2-inch Jeep Performance Parts lift kit makes space for
37-inch tires and Jeep Performance Parts 17-inch wheels—which are
painted with contrasting orange accents. There are also four lights
mounted to the sport bar, as well as two on the A-pillars and two on the
front bumper.
Jeep Wayout
Jeep wanted to highlight the 2020 Gladiator’s impressive 1,600-pound
payload capacity—and cash in on the growing popularity of overland
vehicles—with the Wayout concept.
Extensive exterior body armor and production Gator Green paint
impart a slightly militaristic vibe that we love, while a custom-built
bed rack secures the rooftop tent—access is via an integrated ladder.
There’s a 270-degree awning with amber LED task lighting as well,
providing a more comfortable basecamp at the end of the day’s
adventures. Auxiliary fuel tanks integrated into the bedsides help
expand off-road driving range, and there’s an ARB onboard air system as
well.
A Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift kit shows up on the
Wayout as well, and the truck’s body-color steel wheels and mud tires
hearken back to the original Willys Jeep. A Jeep Performance Parts
snorkel improves wading depth and ensures a supply of clean air, even in
dusty conditions. And Warn supplied a bumper-mounted 12,000-pound winch
that should help when the going gets sticky.
Brown leather, bedlined flooring, and a Decked in-bed drawer system help improve durability and versatility.
Jeep Flatbill
The Jeep Flatbill is a desert-ready concept built for motocross
enthusiasts, a message clearly sent by the bro-approved high-clearance
fenders and vented carbon hood. Also improving clearance and approach
angle are a custom shortened front bumper and redesigned skidplate.
The Flatbill concept is based on the 2020 Gladiator, and as
such, its bed has been optimized to transport dirt bikes and gear to the
trail. Removing the tailgate provides access to the sliding wheel
ramps, making loading up a bit easier. And a redesigned bed lower and
rear bumper improve the departure angle as well.
Dynatrac ProRock 60 front and rear axles, an Off-Road
Evolution custom 4-inch lift, and Gladiator-first 40-inch tires improve
off-road capability significantly, which should make accessing the most
remote desert trails easier and more fun. A Jeep Performance Parts
cold-air intake helps wake up the engine a bit as well.
Jeep Gladiator Gravity
Also inspired by action sports—this time rock climbing—the Gladiator
Gravity is customized with a full complement of ready-to-fit Jeep
Performance Parts.
Mopar cross rails in the bed area provide the anchor points
for a cargo basket, perfect for storing ropes, carabiners, and other
climbing. The Gladiator also comes with a Decked storage system with
lockable sliding drawers, giving the truck two-tier storage versatility.
Steel-tube doors and a mesh sunbonnet maximize one of the
Gladiator’s key wins over other midsize trucks: its open-air capability.
There are also tie-down straps that secure the windshield when it’s
lowered. Katzkin seats with custom embroidery, all-weather floormats
with drain plugs, modular storage bags, Jeep Performance Parts rock
rails, 17-inch wheels, and 35-inch tires add functionality and a unique
appearance to the Gravity’s interior and exterior. Meanwhile, a 2-inch
Jeep Performance Parts lift kit and cold-air intake improve performance.
Jeep’s EJS 2019 concepts are as interesting and
cool as they’ve ever been, but we’re grateful for the renewed emphasis
on pickups and classic styling. Hopefully we’ll get our mitts on one of these concepts when we arrive in Baja for our Baja Safari's next week.
Courtesy: Four-Wheeler
Content Source: Jeep
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