Based on a 1965 Jeep Wagoneer SJ, the Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip concept is not only an example of elegant resto-mod engineering, it points to the future too. Re-engineered with a five-inch longer wheelbase, fully-boxed frame (it was an open “C” channel frame that was welded into a full box) coil-springs, multi-link rear suspension, Dana 44 axles and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 out of a Ram with a four-speed automatic transmission, the Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip concept drives as good as it looks.
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Externally, only a few experts could see that the wheel locations and wheel-wells looked a bit different. When you drive it, the overall sensation is similar to driving an old SJ, without smelling gas and exhaust while having gobs of power and control. A magnificent truck to behold and drive. Every journalist worth their salt agreed, it was the star of the show.
Still, why would a “Mint-age” (mint green + vintage) truck matter to you as a consumer?
We have known for a while that Jeep is gearing up to produce a vehicle that will compete against the larger, three-row SUVs out there. Rumor has it that it could be based on the new 2019 Ram frame/platform which would allow for a airbag or coil-spring rear suspension and an independent front suspension; this would put it on par with General Motors’ current offerings: Chevy Tahoe and others.
We have seen heavily disguised prototypes and test-mules running around the country and they look much bigger than a Grand Cherokee. Logic dictates that Jeep will keep this vehicle hush-hush for another year so they can focus on the debut of the Jeep Wrangler JT pickup truck. Once that debuts, we expect the Grand Wagoneer (or whatever they decide to name it) comes out.
In this video, Roman and Nathan get a few minutes to play with the Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip concept and get an in-depth interview with one of its creator. Enjoy!
