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Gallery: Proof that the Jeep Patriot doesn't have to be a poseur

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

Jeep Patriot Extreme - Click above for high-res image gallery

Were Jeep's stable an actual family, the Patriot would be the Wrangler's dweeby younger brother - you know, the one that can only pick on the drooling infant Compass. Whereas the rest of the brand is more than happy to set out on a weekend of adventure in the wild, the Patriot is a little more likely to stay at home in the safety of an air-conditioned garage and organize its Lego collection. But that doesn't necessarily mean the baby ute can't be tweaked into something awesome.

Jeep has just released a slew of new photos of the Patriot Extreme the company unveiled at this year's Easter Jeep Safari. As the story goes, Chrysler's engineers have outfitted the truck with nothing more than a slight suspension lift, a set of rock sliders and new wheels before heading off to Moab to play for the weekend. Throw in a little help from the trail-rated package, and this urban commuter becomes more than capable off-road. We approve.

Gallery: Jeep Patriot Extreme at Moab Easter Jeep Safari

[Source: Jeep via Facebook]

Gallery: Proof that the Jeep Patriot doesn't have to be a poseur originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Zach Bowman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Performance, SUV, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Military, Design/Style, Diesel, Off-Road, Racing

2010 Easter Jeep Safari Mopar Concepts - Click any image to enlarge

Chrysler's engineers have been busy lately. Mark Allen, head of the Jeep design studio, has introduced a total of eight new concept vehicles at this year's Easter Jeep Safari. Each one has been worked up by the company's off-road engineering team, and while most are nothing more than pure fantasy, at least a few can be crafted out of parts available from the Mopar go-fast catalog. Even better, all have the off road guts to go anywhere you please.

That includes the Jeep Wrangler J7. Consider this the stripped-down beast we would build if Chrysler gave us the keys to the kingdom for a week. Fluffy stuff like carpet, the stereo and alloy wheels have been ditched in favor of more utilitarian goods. New all-steel bumpers, complete with helicopter hooks, join a sturdy rear gate and steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch rubber. A small 2-inch lift helps accommodate the larger rollers, and the eye-searing Mustard Plug paint sets the truck apart from the crowd. While we have no problem with the 3.8-liter V6, we would probably swap the four-speed automatic gear box for a row-your-own.

Speaking of rowing your own, the Jeep Patriot Extreme is more than happy to accommodate third-pedal lovers everywhere. While Wrangler guys may be quick to rag on the baby Jeep, this Patriot is more than capable of dispatching rough terrain. A two-inch suspension lift gives the trail-rated package just a little more clearance, and custom rock rails protect the bodywork from getting too close to the trail. We're also digging those 16-inch TJ Moab wheels, extra lighting on the bumper and roof rack for... snowboards?

Chrysler says it turned out the Wrangler Trail Boss (right) just to show off all of the products available from the Jeep trail catalog. The truck's specs read like a recipe for a Wrangler wish list. Outside, the most noticeable difference between the Trail Boss and a standard Wrangler is the addition of new AEV off-road bumpers, complete with a Warn 9.5ti winch, though the half-doors and sun bonnet do much to alter the truck's attitude, too. A 3-inch lift kit allows for healthy 35-inch rubber down below, wrapped around those slick Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlock wheels. Click the jump to read about the rest of the Mopar monsters.

Gallery: 2010 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010

Chrysler shows off eight Mopar concepts at Easter Jeep Safari 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details on the long-travel Mopar Ram 1500

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Dodge, Off-Road

Kent Kroeker is cooking up a bit of evil that is 90 inches wide for the Easter Jeep Safari. The latest details reveal that 90 inches is the width of the front track on the Mopar Ram 1500 being built as a "research project," while that number tapers down to 87 inches in the rear. We're talking about a truck that will be at least 22 inches wider than a normal Ram when you see its grille coming towards you. And that might be from the air, we'll have you know - with 15 inches of travel up front and 14 in the rear, this baby looks like she'll be a true jumper.

This might be the best of the bunch as far as the Moparized concepts go for this Moab event. What we really want to know is this: We have a good idea of where Fiat and Chrysler head Sergio Marchionne stands with little cars and sedans, but how does he feel about taking muddin' - and an OEM version of this truck - to the masses? Can the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor now be put on notice?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

More details on the long-travel Mopar Ram 1500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler releases new "Moparized" concept renderings ahead of 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Off-Road

Mopar Sketches for the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has announced that it will launch four new "Moparized" (their term, not ours) models on March 27 at the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah: the Jeep Wrangler J7, Jeep Patriot Extreme, Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss and Ram Power Wagon.

First off, there's already a 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon, but it appears that this version will sport just two doors instead of the current four-door model. We also note plenty of flat black accents, including the wheels, grille and hood, which are set off by what appears to be a neon green stripe. Out back is a customized bed that includes an external fullsize spare tire rack. Ford SVT Raptor fighter? We'll see.

Moving on to the Jeep Patriot Extreme, we see a bright orange (EXTREME!!!) paint scheme highlighted (or is that lowlighted?) by more flat black accents on the grille and hood along with a two-inch Rocky Road Outfitters suspension lift, TJ 'Moab' 16-inch wheels and BF Goodrich KM2 tires. Lest we forget, there's also an uplevel Kicker stereo system and a roof-mounted snowboard rack.

Finally, we have a pair of Wranglers. The first is the J7, which is based on the four-door Unlimited Rubicon model and is "designed to have the basic appeal of military-issued vehicles." The second Wrangler is called the Trail Boss, and all we know about that one is that it's "a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that is built for serious off-road duty." Check out the high-res image gallery below and hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Mopar sketches for 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler releases new "Moparized" concept renderings ahead of 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari

Chrysler releases new "Moparized" concept renderings ahead of 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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