Every year, Jeep brings concept vehicles to Moab for the annual Easter Jeep Safari event. These vary from mild to wild, but the one thing they have in common is that the Jeep brand is using them as a litmus test to determine what their customers want from the brand. For 2024, Jeep brought four concept vehicles and each one of them offered some clues about functions and features we could see on factory Jeeps in the future.

Intro

Jeep began bringing concept vehicles to Moab for Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) well over a decade ago; for so long that it would difficult to imagine EJS without the Jeep concepts. It is also difficult to imagine them without Mark Allen, the mad scientist who Head of Design at Jeep. Allen retired last year after 30 years at Jeep and his very large shoes have been filled by Vince Galante, who pulled back the reins on some of the over-the-top body swap concepts like the Mighty FC and Five-Quarter in favor of heavily modifying the vehicles in the existing line-up while keeping them recognizable. Another item that didn’t make a return was the electrified Magneto concept, suggesting that perhaps Jeep owners are not ready to embrace a full-electric Wrangler. Each of the four concepts for 2024 did offer some peaks at features that we very likely could see on future Jeeps though. Past concepts have teased everything from paint codes to Hemi engines to Jeep trucks before they were available on the dealer lot.

Low Down

The Low Down is a four door Wrangler with a 392 that has been fitted with 42-inch BFGoodrich Krawlers and Ultimate Dana 60 crate axles. The suspension is at stock height, with the fenders moved up to accommodate the larger tires. Sound familiar? Back in 2009, Jeep created the Lower 40 concept that had a very similar premise, and when the JL was released in 2017, lo and behold it had larger fender openings that allow the fitment of 35-inch tall tires at stock ride height. While we don’t expect to see 42s become a factory option, the LEDs frenched into the front fenders for turn signals are something that could definitely find its way into production.

Willys Dispatcher

While the Low Down is sleek and modern, the Willys Dispatcher is more retro, with an embossed hood, low back seats with houndstooth fabric, and steel wheels with 36-inch Powerply tires. Despite the vintage look, this concept is based on a 4xe platform with a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder supplemented by an electric motor. It has a bikini top and air compressor offered through Jeep Performance Parts. It also has been equipped with a Warn winch and metal hood latches, both of which we wouldn’t be surprised to see Jeep offer from the factory in the future.

High Top

The High Top was designed by Jeep Performance Parts and includes many items you can find in their catalog, including the high clearance fenders that the concept was named for. They make room for BFGoodrich’s new 40-inch tall KO3, the largest all-terrain tire on the market. Help to fit the big meats is also accomplished with an Accuair suspension system that replaces the coil springs with air bags at all four corners. We have already seen air bag suspension from Jeep on the Grand Cherokee, could the Wrangler and Gladiator be next?

PULL QUOTES

Each of the four concepts for 2024 did offer some peaks at features that we very likely could see on future Jeeps though. Past concepts have teased everything from paint codes to Hemi engines to Jeep trucks before they were available on the dealer lot.

 

Jeep began bringing concept vehicles to Moab for Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) well over a decade ago; for so long that it would difficult to imagine EJS without the Jeep concepts. It is also difficult to imagine them without Mark Allen, the mad scientist who worked at Jeep for 30 years and was the Head of Design.