If you were at the 2008 Easter Jeep Safari it was hard to miss the Jeep display smack in the center of downtown Moab. On hand were some very trick Jeeps built by Mopar and the Mopar Underground team. Both Jeep and Mopar have been coming to Moab for years to test products and parts along with meeting hardcore Jeep enthusiasts. The trip to Moab also allows Jeep and the Mopar build team to evaluate consumers’ response to the vehicles that they build.

“Jeep engineering has been coming to Moab for years. Mopar is here to test, evaluate and prove the authenticity of our Mopar Performance Parts for Jeep vehicles and Dodge trucks on the most grueling off-road trails in Moab,” said Simon Boag, President - Service & Parts/Mopar, Chrysler LLC. Mopar is Chrysler LLC’s original equipment parts manufacturer and supplier.

Boag added, “We want our core off-road customers to talk about their vehicle usage so we can address their unmet needs and identify emerging product trends to better support their off-road adventures. Mopar prepped several vehicles for Moab Jeep Safari to gauge consumer feedback and reaction.”

Overseen by Ralph Gilles, Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC, the Mopar Underground design team has been customizing production vehicles since its creation in 2002. The Mopar Underground design team creates vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and customization as well as new vehicle concepts. In fact, the first-generation SRT4 was born from this team’s style initiative.

“Our diverse team which changes frequently has been developing SEMA concepts for more than five years. It’s the usual ‘enthusiast’ suspects from our union shops [plastic, paint, metal and wood], Product Design Office, SRT and Mopar Performance Parts and engineering,” said Gilles.

“We try to push the boundaries of conventional thinking – customizing with no limits to creative expression and freedom, just the power to imagine. We want to build customized concept vehicles that flex the potential in our platforms, show that Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles are indeed designed for customization and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive,” said Gilles.

However the vehicles are more than just design exercises. If reaction is strong enough than a version of the Jeeps you see here might just wind up on the showroom floor at your local Jeep dealer. Behold what could possibly be the Jeeps of the future.

Jeep Wrangler “Rubicon King”

The Rubicon King is an amplification of Jeep's most capable off-road machine. Taking full advantage of the 4:1 ratio Rock-Trac transfer case and Tru-Lok-equipped Dana 44 axles, the JK Rubicon King utilizes massive BF Goodrich 37 x 12.50-17 TA Krawler tires mounted on Hutchinson beadlock wheels from Mopar. Superlift Suspension provided the 4-in. lift for extra ground clearance and flex while Warn-supplied the new 9.0 RC Rock Crawling Winch. Featuring a six-speed transmission, power is provided by the 3.8-liter V-6 engine under the hood.

Custom features include relocation of the spare tire where the back seat used to reside, fender flares and grille trimmed for extreme clearance, trick lighting, military spec tow shackles and radio delete plate. Other features include American Expedition vehicle's new heat-reduction hood and rear corner guards.

Jeep® Wrangler JT

Built from the military version of the all new Jeep Wrangler, the Jeep Wrangler JT showcases just how flexible this new platform can be. Revealed at the Moab Jeep Safari 2007, the JT dominated the steep climbs and descents on the slopes of the Hell’s Revenge trail. Its 4x4 capability was established as it negotiated the slick hot tubs and waterfalls – at times, almost completely vertical to the ground.

Beginning with the new 116-in. wheelbase platform for the Wrangler Unlimited, the design team managed to create a very nimble, trail-savvy Jeep with a 5-ft. pickup bed and an easy-to-handle removable hardtop. Power is provided by its 3.8-liter V-6 engine.

Off-road enhancements include:

• 4-in. suspension lift provided by Superlift
• 35-in. BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires
• Rear bumper and tire carrier from Mopar
• Front bumper from Mopar
• Warn 9500ti winch

Jeep® Wrangler “J8 Sarge”

The Jeep Wrangler “J8 Sarge” is a military version of the new JK platform built as a non-combat military support vehicle. Built from the 116-inch wheelbase version, the “J8 Sarge” is offered in either two-door or four-door configurations. Special J8-only structural upgrades in the body and chassis combine to increase the GVWR rating to 7,400 pounds.

The platform can be configured as a light-troop carrier, ambulance or cargo truck. Other notable features include the Dana 60 rear axle mounted on leaf springs, larger front-disc brakes and exclusive J8-only 17 x 8 steel wheels with a larger 5 x 5.5-inch bolt pattern. The rear differential is equipped with Trac-Lok limited slip device (the front is open).

The powertrain is the VM 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 158 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The four-wheel-drive system is the Command-Trac with both high and low-range gearing.

Other features unique to the “J8 Sarge” are heavy-duty steel bumpers each equipped with two forged military-spec 'helicopter hooks' (rated at 1.5 GVWR each), a hood-mounted air intake snorkel, dual rear-mounted battery boxes and heavy-duty spring hood latches.

The “J8 Sarge” as been upgraded with 1.25-inch Superlift front coil spacers, BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tires and custom cargo top. It’s painted olive drab with military markings.

The Jeep J8 is manufactured in a Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility in Cairo. There are currently no plans to offer the J8 for retail sale in the North American market. The “J8 Sarge” is premiering at Moab Jeep Safari 2008.