by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
The beautiful and scenic piece of land in Utah’s southeastern desert sees plenty of Jeep vehicles all year long. But for just over a week right before Easter each year, the place quickly becomes Jeep ground zero for plenty of enthusiasts and industry representatives.
Moab, Utah.
Easter Jeep Safari.
And while everyone pretty much assumed Jeep would be headed west for this year’s 58th edition of the event, the company itself had not previously announced any confirmation of its attendance.
Once more, Jeep’s parent Stellantis decided earlier this year that it would severely pull back on 2024 event attendance — citing a ‘challenging automotive market in North America’ as the major reason.
Well, the whole mystery was recently put to rest as Jeep last week officially announced plans to attend the 2024 EJS.
”For nearly six decades, thousands of rock-crawling devotees and Jeep brand enthusiasts have gathered to take part in one of the largest off-road gatherings in the world, hosted by Moab’s Red Rock 4-Wheelers club,” the brand said in a press release. “In case you thought the Jeep brand couldn’t push the limits any further, an entirely new collection of attention-grabbing, mission-capable concept vehicles will be revealed and, of course, driven off-road during the annual event. The Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar design teams are bringing one-of-a-kind, purpose-built vehicles that prove why there’s nothing quite like legendary Jeep 4x4 capability.”
Jeep also promised to release several “trail markers” leading up to the event that will provide more clues to what is coming from this year’s concept crop.
Over the past few years, the brand has used these trail markers on its social media platforms in the weeks right before EJS to provide a small window into styles, vehicle type and themes for those concepts.
Often, many of these unicorn vehicles feature ‘hidden plain sight’ design cues that will be offered in future production models, or utilize powerplants such as the current 4xe platform in new and creative ways.
Jeep also sticks on plenty of its house brand performance products like bumpers, racks, side protection, lift kits and a bunch of other items as well.
Last year, Jeep brought out seven concepts to Moab — including the third version of its powerful all-electric two-door Wrangler dubbed Magneto. Outfitted with a manual transmission, Dynatrac 60 front and 80 rear axles, and 5.38:1 gearing, this machine could push out 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque at its mild setting; then 650 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque at maximum.
Jeep plans to have an all-electric Wrangler ready to go for the 2028 model year, though most likely not something like this concept. Additionally, the brand’s all-electric Recon is set to hit showrooms this fall and will become Jeep’s first North American all electric vehicle.
Other concepts last year highlighted the 4xe platform and included a 1978 SJ Cherokee with a turbocharged 2.0L engine with twin batteries, 37-inch tires and a retro orange/yellow interior, a Tuscadero pink Wrangler sporting the revised 2024 model year grille and some AEV Level 2 upfit items, and dark blue hued Wrangler Unlimited prominently displaying Jeep Performance Parts like lighting, front grille, tubular doors and a custom fabricated rear tire carrier.
Non-4xe platforms completing last year’s concept list were the Scrambler 392 — a lime green, two-door mash-up of Wrangler and Gladiator features that sported the brand’s powerful 392 6.4L Hemi engine; a Grand Wagoneer Overland concept with a ceiling access into a pop up carbon fiber tent, as well as a subbed out interior that had no rear seats but some beanbag chairs, throw rug and ambient lighting; and finally a Rubicon Gladiator dubbed Sideburn that offered a front fold-down grille bench, customized rear cargo shelf, boxed sides and integrated tailgate with MOLLE paneling and steps that help provide easier access into the bed.
This year’s EJS runs March 23-31, and Quadratec will be along for the ride day-by-day town and trail coverage, as well as complete breakdowns of all the 2024 concept vehicles and what they may offer for future production vehicles.
For more on EJS, as well as highlights from previous years, head to our 2024 Easter Jeep Safari headquarters.
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