America's Easter Jeep Safari
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Jeep Wrangler ’Pork Chop’
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10th April, 2011
Each year, thousands of off-road enthusiasts descend
upon Moab, Utah (USA), for the Easter Jeep Safari and a week of fun on some of the country’s best and
most rugged trails. Jeep and Mopar are marking the occasion by returning to the annual event – which
takes place 16th-24th April – with six new customised vehicles.
“The annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides us a perfect opportunity to interact with our most
loyal fans in a true Jeep setting,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler
Group LLC. “We are able to demonstrate and test new potential Jeep production and customisation
ideas at our away-from-home proving ground, while getting instant feedback from our customers.”
More than 30 per cent of the people who are in the market for a new vehicle are influenced by the
breadth and availability of aftermarket accessories and Mopar comes to the party with a vast selection
of accessories that will fit a variety of lifestyles.
“From full engine packages to slush mats, Mopar has everything for the avid off-roader,”
said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts
and customer-care brand. “In fact, Mopar covers the spectrum with more than 280,000 proven
quality-tested parts and accessories that allow customers to personalise their Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge,
Ram and Fiat vehicles.”
Over the past decade, a dedicated group of engineers, designers and fabricators from Mopar and
Jeep have customised more than two dozen vehicles and a host of off-road parts and accessories, and
showcased them to the enthusiast crowds in Moab.
“Moparised” Jeep vehicles for the 2011 Moab Easter Jeep Safari
Jeep Wrangler ’Pork Chop’ The primary focus in the development of ‘Pork Chop’ (see image
above) was to increase Jeep Wrangler’s off-road fun and performance even more through extensive
weight savings. The project started with a new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Weight savings began with
removal of a long list of items, including: doors, top, tailgate, bumpers, carpet and sway bars.
Body modifications began with removing the rear tailgate hinges and latches and making a custom
surround. The inner mudguard panels were reshaped and the taillamps relocated closer together. A
custom roll cage was crafted and the windshield height was reduced two inches. Hanson Bumpers provided
a set of unique aluminium bumpers and QMC contributed their prototype aluminium/carbon fibre bonnet,
held in place with Drake aluminium bonnet latches.
Mopar added an aluminium cold-air intake kit, lightweight mudguard-flares, slush mats and mirror
re-location brackets.
The interior was updated with bright red lightweight Sparco ‘Chrono Road’ reclining bucket seats.
Gale Banks added a unique set of long tube headers and dual-exhaust with an integrated H-pipe to
replace the stock system. Further weight savings was recognised courtesy of a Gen-Right-fabricated,
prototype rear-mounted 20-gallon fuel tank and aluminium skid plate.
A smaller evaporation canister for the emissions system was borrowed from a 2012 Fiat 500. The
massive weight savings actually lifted the suspension, which was combined with a moderate Mopar lift
to clear Mickey Thompson 35-inch Baja Claw radials mounted on lightweight 17x8 E-T Vintage V wheels.
The suspension includes Bilstein 2-inch shocks with reservoirs and TeraFlex air bumps at all four
corners. Dynatrac Axles designed lightweight ProRock 44 front and rear axles fitted with 4.88 gears,
ARB air lockers and prototype aluminium differential covers. The axles are located with unique
aluminium control arms provided by Full Traction.
The result is a weight savings of more than 850 lbs., and even more open-air Jeep Wrangler fun.
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Jeep Compass Canyon
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Jeep Compass Canyon
For 2011, the team has built up its first Jeep Compass. The project began with a new 2011 model
equipped with Freedom Drive II drivetrain. The Compass Canyon features a 2-1/8-inch lift kit provided
by Rocky Road Suspension, making room for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 225/75-R16 tyres with 16-inch
alloy wheels from a Jeep Cherokee.
To gain additional wheel articulation, front and rear sway bars were removed. Select items from
the Mopar catalogue include a cold-air induction kit, cat-back exhaust system, slush mats and a
sport pedal trim kit.
To protect the underbody, the team installed an extensive set of front and rear skid bars, sill
guards and longitudinal skid plates to fend off the harsh rocks on the trails of Moab.
Jeep Cherokee Overland
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Jeep Cherokee Overland
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The mission for the Jeep Cherokee Overland was to makee a small, light adventure platform
alternative. The template is a built-for-export 2011 Jeep Cherokee equipped with a 2.8-litre
CRD 4-cylinder turbo diesel and Selec-Trac II 4x4 system.
ARB offered their steel roof rack, awning, compact refrigerator and prototype rock rails to
set the Overland’s mood.
To increase off-road capability, an ARB 3-inch suspension lift and Old Man Emu shocks clear
the way for Mickey Thompson 265/75-R16 MTZ tyres mounted on steel wheels. Traction is
increased with the addition of an ARB air locker in the rear differential and on-board air
compressor.
Mopar provided a host of underbody protection including skid plates for the front suspension,
transmission and transfer case. Additional items from the Mopar catalogue include front and rear
tow hooks, slush mats, cargo tray liner, sill guards and sport pedal kit.
To blend in with the wildlife, an update of the classic zebra safari pattern paint scheme is
added to the exterior.
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Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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Jeep Wrangler Renegade
At the heart of the Jeep Wrangler Renegade is the all-new 475 horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI™ V8
from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineering team. Harkening back to
the 1972 Jeep Renegade, which was offered with a V8, Jeep and Mopar matched the HEMI to a
6-speed manual transmission feeding a Dynatrac prepped ProRock 44 front axle and ProRock 60 rear
axle, both equipped with ARB air lockers and 4.10 gears. To clear the 35-inch Mickey Thompson
Baja Claw radials mounted on AEV Pintler wheels, an AEV/Nth Degree 4-inch suspension lift was
installed.
Mopar added a heat dissipating bonnet and a new winch-mount front bumper. Other Mopar
accessories include: fuel door, sill guards, bikini top, rock rails, slush mats and a half-door
kit.
Warn provided their all-new 9.5 CTi series winch and AEV finished off the Renegade with their
rear bumper/spare tyre carrier combo. The interior was treated to a Katzkin seat trim kit
sourced from the Mopar catalogue and the exterior was finished in a black and gold paint scheme
that recalls the early 1970’s CJ5 Renegade model.
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Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence
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Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence
Taking cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s, Mopar has designed a kit
for do-it-yourselfers that converts a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a utility truck. The bed
length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The team made body panels
to cover the second-row entrance and removed all of the interior parts behind the front
seats—transforming the vehicle into a two-seater with just enough room for gear inside, and a
utility style bed to be used for outside cargo.
The JK-8 drivetrain is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana
44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears. Linking the axles to the frame is a 4.5-inch
long-arm suspension kit and 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tyres make the connection to
the ground. A fresh coat of yellow paint and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear
were utilised along with a new fuel door and slush mats.
The JK-8 kit includes bed floor, inner/outer body panels, half hard top (works with
Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.
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Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush
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Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush
Inspired by the King of the Hammers race in the deserts of California, the Jeep Wrangler
Blue Crush combines high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability. At the core is
a Mopar 426 cubic-inch HEMI with 540 horsepower. The all-aluminium V8 is paired with a
545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfer case.
To help the suspension keep up with the engine, Mopar added a high-speed, performance
off-road suspension system with internal bypass shocks, front stabiliser bar and full
hydro-steering. Gigantic 39-inch tyres are turned with the help of custom driveshafts. The
Wrangler Blue Crush also features a baja-style full cage, race seats, fuel cell and short
aluminium bumpers.
“Moparised” Ram Truck Mopar Ram Runner
The available Mopar Ram Runner kit was inspired by high-speed desert off-road racing.
The rigors of off-road racing require large tyres, additional ground clearance and a
sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features
are combined with the proven HEMI 5.7-litre V8 into a package that is stable at speed and
rock-solid in the corners. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear
bed-sides are replaced with fibreglass layered in the Liquid Metal Mopar racing scheme.
The high-clearance wheel wells allow tremendous suspension articulation with zero
tyre-to-body interference.
Ram and Mopar will sponsor the 2011 TORC short-course off-road racing series and bring
a significant on- and off-track presence to each round of the championship. Ram will
become the official vehicle of TORC with the Mopar Ram Runner pacing all of the series’
events.
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Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
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Jeep and Mopar at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari
Jeep and Mopar will have a large display in the centre of downtown Moab during the
Easter Jeep Safari with these and a number of other customised vehicles on exhibition,
including the previously introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-road Edition, Jeep Wrangler
Mayhem, Jeep Wrangler Immortal, Mopar Camper Trailer, Jeep Wrangler Tan Man, Jeep
Wrangler “The General” and a fully dressed military version of the Jeep Wrangler J-8
with turret and passenger mounted-machine guns.
Jeep Brand
Built on 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading
capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys.
The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a
full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to
handle any journey with confidence.
The Jeep vehicle line-up in Australia consists of the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee,
Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.
Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around
the world.
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