Jeep gives a trio of customs an encore showing at SEMA

Wed, 05 Nov 2014

While Jeep certainly had some new customs on display at this year's SEMA show, it wasn't afraid to recycle a few that people might have missed from earlier this year. The maker of many beloved off-roaders already displayed the Jeep Cherokee Dakar, Maximum Performance Wrangler and Wrangler Mojo at the 2014 Easter Safari, but they all made it to SEMA for an encore.

Based around the Trailhawk, the Cherokee Dakar (pictured above) imagines an even more off-road-capable version of the crossover. The concept wears a mix of Silver Steel Stain paint with Flame Red graphics and rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires. To back up the rugged look, the Dakar is fitted with rock rails and skid plates protecting the oil pan, front suspension, fuel tank and other underbody parts. It also sports prototype parts from Jeep Performance Parts, including a lift kit and fender flares.

The Wrangler is one of the paragons of off-roading, and as the name suggests, the Maximum Performance Wrangler concept is meant to be the ultimate example of what it can do. The custom features locking Dana 60 axles front and rear, a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case, prototype 4-inch lift kit and 37-inch Mud Terrain tires over beadlock wheels. To stay on the trails well into the night, a bar of LEDs is mounted above the windshield. And finally, the Mopar Blue exterior kind of makes the vehicle look like the world's toughest blueberry.

Last but not least, the Wrangler Mojo offers a bit more compromise between the street and the trails. It has a 2-inch lift kit, Dana 44 locking axles front and rear and a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case. Plus, the 3.6-liter V6 has a cold-air intake and new exhaust. Its orange paint certainly grabs attention, and the color is matched with short bumpers and painted flat-top fenders from Jeep Performance. Lighting is aided by prototype LED headlights and fog lights.

Check out the gallery for a look at each of these custom Jeeps again, and read the official announcement for them, below.

Jeep Wrangler MOJO

The Jeep Wrangler MOJO (the "OJ" in the name stands for "Orange Jeep") is geared for the off-road enthusiast who seeks an even tougher vehicle with the functionality to tackle the most extreme trails. A Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift provides the clearance to traverse obstacles, with locking Dana 44 front and rear axles and a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case adding to Wrangler MOJO's rock-climbing capabilities. Wrangler MOJO's crawl ratio is 59:1. The vehicle's 3.6-liter V-6 engine is augmented with a cold air intake and low restriction exhaust system.

The Bright Orange exterior of Wrangler MOJO is defended by prototype Jeep Performance Parts "Shorty" bumpers and prototype flat-top fenders, with 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires wrapped around prototype beadlock wheels, accented with Mopar Bronze on the beadlock ring. The Mopar "Rubicon X" hood is ornamented by prototype topographical graphics, which contain bronze "mapping" accents that flow down to the side panels. Additional trail enhancements include a Jeep Performance Parts "Rubicon X" front bumper, an under-bumper skid plate and a prototype Jeep Performance Parts winch. Jeep Performance Parts rock rails are added to further protect Wrangler MOJO from boulders and rocks on extreme trails.

Prototype LED headlamps and fog lamps help make night trips on the trail easier, and front and rear prototype two-tone half-door kits and a soft top further add to the open-air fun and freedom all Wrangler vehicles offer. A Badge of Honor plate is added to show the trails Wrangler MOJO has mastered, and a prototype Jeep Performance Parts tire carrier gives support to the spare tire. The five Moab "Badge of Honor" badges also appear on Wrangler MOJO.

The purposeful interior of Wrangler MOJO is perfect for the off-roader not afraid of dust or mud. The two-tone instrument panel and console complement black Katzkin leather seat covers and provide for simple cleaning. With the carpet removed, rugged all-weather floor mats shield the interior, and a Mopar sunbonnet and roll bar pads are trimmed in a Driftwood sand color, matching Wrangler MOJO's overall appearance. A Mopar lockable rear cargo tray keeps valuables safe.

Jeep Maximum Performance

Jeep Wrangler Maximum Performance speaks to hard-core enthusiasts who spend every spare minute on the trail and seek the ultimate in power and capability so they can go where others cannot. Wrangler Maximum Performance is armed with new Jeep Performance Parts-exclusive push-button electric-locking Dana 60 axles at the front and rear, as well as 4.88 gearing and the 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case to better hurdle any trail impediments. A prototype Jeep Performance Parts 4-inch lift kit also raises the vehicle. Wrangler Maximum Performance boasts a 70:1 crawl ratio.

On the exterior, a prototype Jeep Performance Parts "Stinger" front bumper can handle whatever the terrain dishes out, especially when paired with a front bumper skid plate, Jeep Performance Parts Rubicon rock rails and a prototype flattop fender kit. A Mopar black grille dresses up the front, which also is modified with a prototype Jeep Performance Parts winch and prototype LED lights mounted to the top of the vehicle to shine bright during nighttime off-road maneuvers. A prototype graphics package signifying the Moab landscape adorns the hood.

The Mopar Blue exterior is linked in appearance to the prototype eight-lug beadlock wheels by the Mopar Blue color on the beadlock ring. Wrangler Maximum Performance rides on 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, with the sturdy hardtop covering full steel doors. The rear of the vehicle receives a prototype tire carrier and a 37-inch spare tire cover, featuring the Jeep Performance Parts logo. Wrangler Maximum Performance also sports the five Moab "Badge of Honor" badges.

Mopar Blue is also featured inside, highlighting the HVAC bezels and steering wheel accents. Katzkin leather seats with embroidered Jeep logos feature blue accent stitching, as does the leather armrest. The interior is further enhanced with satin trim on the instrument panel, shift knob and HVAC controls, while the steering wheel spokes and dash grab handles are underscored in black.

Jeep Cherokee Dakar

The Jeep Cherokee Dakar is the most extreme Cherokee ever. The Silver Steel satin gloss exterior skin is strikingly set off with prototype Flame Red graphics that encircle the window and wrap around the black hood graphic. The Trailhawk 17-inch polished satin clear coat wheels feature two large Flame Red pockets, with the Cherokee nameplate also changed to a Flame Red hue.

Front-end features are enhanced by two prototype Flame Red inserts on the traditional Jeep seven-slot grille, as well as through a prototype lower fascia trim. Cherokee Dakar is fortified for off-road action, equipped with Jeep Performance Parts rock rails, an oil pan skid plate, front suspension skid plate, two-piece fuel tank and underbody skid plates.

Cherokee Dakar's wheel openings have been modified in order to accommodate larger 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires. The rough-and-ready look rises with a prototype Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, and additional suspension modifications help make it the most extreme Cherokee yet. Prototype wider fender flares with riveted bolts give a tougher appearance and also accommodate the wider track and larger tires. A prototype rear fascia allows for an even more aggressive departure angle and enhances the higher ride height. Cherokee Dakar's crawl ratio is 48:1, and estimated approach and departure angles are 32 and 39 degrees, respectively.

Inside, prototype Katzkin leather black seats with Machined Gunmetal inserts are heightened with Header Red stitching, which is also found on the steering wheel, armrest and shift boot. A Flame Red insert accents the entertainment center. Accessories showcased from the Mopar catalog include all-weather floor mats, bright door-sill guards with the Cherokee logo, a cargo tray for storage, and the JCMS with the Trailhawk bag, as well as a prototype Moab off-road bag.

By Chris Bruce