CHRYSLER ROCKS 2010 Easter Jeep Safari with Off Road Concept Vehicles
Moab, Utah - Easter Jeep Safari (April 1, 2010) While the auto giant suffers within the difficult economic times, they didn't show it this week while at the spectacular 2010 Easter Jeep Safari held in Moab, Utah. Chrysler unveiled a fleet of concept off road vehicles on the rocks of Moab, Utah and everything they debuted is something special. Whether you were looking at the new Power Ram, Jeep Nukizer, or the bright red off road desert racing's Ram Runner, they have brought out all the big guns. From slow crawling in their next version of a JK to the white and black Power Ram with the short wheel base.
Jeep Nukizer 715
One of the most interesting concept vehicles is the Jeep Nukizer 715. The company started with a Jeep J8 four door and converted it into a pickup by adding an AEV Brute pickup box built for the TJ. Then the Mopar Team lengthened the wheelbase from 116 inches to 124 and applied a new carbon-fiber nose, which is supposed to replicate the old military-only Kaiser truck. Fitted with a Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles with 5:38 gears and ARB Airlocker differentials. The powerplant is a J8-specific 2.8-liter turbo-diesel inline four and rides on 38-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.
The Jeep Nukizer 715 is an all-purpose truck that pays homage to the beloved military-only Kaiser M-715 truck. With a military-issue Jeep J8 four-door, the Mopar team converted the vehicle into a pickup body style by adding an aftermarket AEV Brute pickup box built for a TJ. To increase the size of the vehicle, the wheelbase is stretched to 124 inches from 116 inches. Enforcing the brand's iconic M-715 is a new front clip produced in carbon fiber that re-creates the characteristic forward slant of the M-715 truck. To top it off, Bestop provided a unique soft top which artfully captures all of the quirks of the original.
Drivetrain upgrades include beefy Dynatrac Pro-Rock Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles filled with 5:38 gears and ARB Airlocker differentials. Power is distributed by an Atlas II transfer case spinning custom driveshafts from Tom Woods. To keep the military look, tires are 38-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrains mounted on Hutchinson beadlock wheels.
The powerplant remains a J8-specific 2.8-liter turbo diesel I-4 that has been treated to a re-programmed controller for more boost. Fuel is supplied from a custom Gen-Right tank made specifically for this vehicle and mounts to the rear cross member.
For body protection, Mopar added Jeep Wrangler rock rails and off-road bumpers. Other features include a Warn 9.5XP low-profile winch equipped with a Master Pull synthetic winch line, Warn air compressor, Terraflex dual-rate front sway bar and Garmin GPS Map 640 navigation unit.
Vehicle information:
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Engine: 2.8-liter turbo diesel I-4
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Transmission: four-speed automatic
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Overall height: 75.2 inches
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Overall width: 78.6 inches
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Wheelbase: 124 inches
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Weight: 4,500 pounds
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Tires: 38 x 14.50-R17 BF Goodrich KM2
Ram PowerWagon
This Power Wagon has been floating around Chrysler circles for a few months and different media outlets have discovered it trolling down the highway. Here it is in an off road natural environment going through the paces. Mopar created a unique 120-inch wheelbase truck chassis to a regular cab and step-side box. The rear uses a coil spring suspension from the Ram 1500. It has a four-inch lift and 40-inch BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain tires, custom front and rear bumpers and a spare tire re-located to the tail-gate-free bed. The Power Wagon is powered by the Chrysler 5.7-liter Hemi V8.
The mighty Ram Power Wagon is the full-size pickup truck of choice in a range of off-road situations. For Mopar's Ram PowerWagon image vehicle, the team mated a unique 120-inch wheelbase chassis to a regular cab and step-side box. Axle articulation is greatly increased by utilizing the rear link-coil suspension of the Ram 1500. To gain additional ground clearance, Mopar added a new 4-inch suspension lift and 40-inch tires. Body protection comes from Rock-Slide Engineering-supplied sill guards, and custom front and rear bumpers. The spare tire is re-located to the cargo box. For visual impact, the team used a menacing two-tone black-on-white look, inspired by the wild paint schemes of Power Wagons in the 1970s.
Vehicle information:
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Engine: 5.7-liter HEMI V8
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Transmission: five-speed automatic
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Overall height: 81.5 inches
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Overall width: 83.5 inches
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Wheelbase: 120 inches
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Weight: 6,500 pounds
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Tires: 40-14.5R/17 BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain
Jeep Wrangler J7
Built off of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Jeep Wrangler J7 is designed to have the basic appeal of military-issued vehicles. The Mopar team removed standard content including carpet, fog lamps, alloy wheels and the stereo system before adding front and rear steel bumpers, 'helicopter hooks', a heavy-duty tailgate and steel wheels. Off-road capability is increased with a Mopar 2-inch suspension lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson tires. The unique Mustard Plug exterior paint is highlighted with Jeep Wrangler J7 graphics.
Vehicle information:
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Engine: 3.8-liter V6
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Transmission: Four-speed automatic
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Overall height: 74.3 inches
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Overall width: 78.6 inches
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Wheelbase: 116 inches
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Weight: 4,482 lbs.
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Tires: 35-12.50R/17 M/T Baja Claw radial
Mopar Ram Runner
This truck, the Ram Runner is much more like the Raptor though than the rock-crawling Power Wagon. The Ram Runner is intended to have the look and feel of a desert racer. Its fenders, front and rear, have been replaced by fiberglass ones to accommodate the 35-inch General Grabber tires and long-travel suspension. That suspension uses billet aluminum upper A-arms which permit 14 inches of wheel travel. The off road desert community has been abuzz with this concept vehicle as the so-called "Raptor Killer." Although this may be Chrysler's version of a Ford Raptor that was displayed last year, the only thing the two vehicles have in common are the FOX RACING SHOX.
This is a new kind of Ram. Inspired by Baja-style desert racing, this 4x4 is unlike any other in captivity. The rigors of off-road racing require large tires, plenty of ground clearance, extreme durability and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features are combined into a package that is stable at speed and rock-solid in the corners. To achieve this kind of handling, a low center of gravity and long wheel travel are paramount.
The Mopar Ram Runner has the look and feel of thoroughbred desert racer. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass, allowing tremendous suspension articulation with zero interference.
Vehicle information:
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Prototype of full suspension that Mopar will offer later this year
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35-inch x 12.5-inch x 17-inch DOT-approved General Grabber Competition tires
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Three-inch diameter internal bypass Fox shocks provide front and rear motion control
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6061 T6, billet aluminum upper A-arms contain rebuild-able, high-angle ball joints that permit a massive 14 inches of wheel travel
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High-angle CV joints are combined with plunging, splined axles made of 300 M tool steel and 1.00-inch diameter high-angle tie rods
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4130 chromed moly steel lower control arms
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Variable-rate coils support bed loads while special control arms provide 14 inches of wheel travel
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Custom tubular Baja bumper and aluminum skid plate combination that housed four high-powered, LED off-road lights
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A six-point roll cage finalizes the package while a special tubular tire carrier keeps a spare handy in the bed while maximizing load space
Mighty Mopar(R) Machines Arrive in Moab
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler Group LLC arrived with truckloads of head-turning, "Moparized" Jeep® and Ram Truck vehicles to showcase at the 44th annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.
"Our customized production vehicles show how Mopar can accessorize Jeep and Ram vehicles that are on the road today while our image vehicles showcase directions we could take in the future," said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. "We will gauge reaction to these vehicles. And as we develop our next generation of new Mopar parts and accessories, we will listen closely to this dedicated group of hard-core off-road enthusiasts."
"Moparized" Vehicles
The Mopar design team is a small group of dedicated engineers, designers and fabricators who are led by Mark Allen, Chief Designer – Head of Jeep Design Studio, Chrysler Group LLC. The Mopar design team has been customizing production vehicles since 2002 and has introduced nearly 20 concept vehicles to enthusiast crowds at the Moab Jeep Safari.
The Mopar off-road engineering team is led by Keith Montone, Manager – Mopar Jeep and Ram Off-road Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. This experienced group of vehicle engineers is dedicated to providing Jeep and Ram customers with the best off-road parts and accessories. The team has introduced many new parts and played a key role in developing the first aftermarket lift kits available from an automotive manufacturer.
"Moab is a proving ground for us to test our vehicles on extreme trails alongside our customers," said Allen. "We will take all of the feedback we get from our customers right back to the design studio with us."
More "Moparized" image vehicles that will be shown in Moab:
Mopar ImMortal
The Mopar ImMortal is a 5.7-liter Hemi V8-powered Wrangler with military-grade portal axle ends. Those pricey portal axles ends, which will make it into the Mopar catalog, are mated to Mopar's ProRock and PowerWagon performance axles. Those portals provide five inches of lift and contain a 1.5 gear reduction. Combined with the 4:1 transfer case, this greenest of green Wranglers has a 100:1 crawl ratio. The immortal has the ability to go just about anywhere.
The Mopar ImMortal is a Jeep Wrangler featuring portal axles, a 5.7-liter HEMI and off-road bumpers. Military-grade portal axle ends are engineered to mate to Mopar's Pro Rock and Power Wagon performance axles and adapted to fit the suspension. Portal axle ends provide 5 inches of lift and contain a 1.5 gear reduction. Combined with the 4:1 transfer case, the result is a hard-core 100:1 crawl ratio. The Mopar ImMortal is sheathed in Jeep performance body armor for intense protection. Vehicle Information:
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Prototype Mopar portal axle assemblies
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42 x 14.5 x 17LT Goodyear MTR tires
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Mopar Jeep Wrangler 4:1 Rock Trac transfer case
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Mopar Jeep Wrangler 2-inch lift kit
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Mopar Performance body armor
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Mopar AEV heat-reduction hood
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Mopar half-door kit
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Mopar sun bonnet
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Mopar Jeep Wrangler seat covers
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Paint – Viper Snakeskin Green Pearlcoat
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Tom Woods custom drive shafts
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AEV 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 conversion
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Off-road front and rear bumpers
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Hydraulic steering assist
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Katzkin leather seats
Jeep Patriot Extreme
The Mopar team started with a Sunburst Orange Jeep Patriot model equipped with the Trail-Rated off-road package and added a 2-inch Rocky Road Outfitters suspension lift, TJ 'Moab' 16-inch wheels, and BF Goodrich KM2 tires. Additional protection is added to the front and rear fascias with custom rock rails. Mopar added heavy-duty slush mats, Kicker audio and a roof-mounted snowboard carrier. Vehicle information:
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Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT I-4
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Transmission: CVT2L with 19.1:1 first-gear crawl ratio
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Overall height: 66.9 inches
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Overall width: 69.8 inches
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Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
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Weight: 3,332 lbs.
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Tires: 225-75R/16 BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain
Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss
The Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss was built to showcase Mopar off-road products in the brand's trail catalog. The Trail Boss is a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that is built for serious off-road duty. The vehicle features a half-door kit, sun bonnet, front and rear AEV off-road bumpers, a Warn 9.5ti winch, rear-tire carrier, AEV hood, 3-inch lift kit, Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlock wheels, Katzkin leather seat trim kit, slush mats and a Kicker audio system.Vehicle information:
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Engine: 3.8-liter V6
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Transmission: four-speed automatic
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Overall height: 74.4 inches
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Overall width: 78.6 inches
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Wheelbase: 95.4 inches
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Weight: 4,350 pounds
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Tires: 35-12.50R/17 M/T Baja Claw radial
The General
For the ultimate in rock-crawling capability, "The General" features a custom Mopar 4.5-inch performance lift kit installed on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. A new flat fender kit and Mopar/Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlocks allow tire pressure to be safely lowered for extreme driving conditions. Front and rear off-road bumpers and rock rails offer serious protection while the Mopar half-door kit provides improved visibility. The hood and rear spare tire carrier feature custom Mopar graphics splashed across the Mopar Blue exterior.
Vehicle information:
