Check Out These 2022 Easter Jeep Safari Gladiator Concepts!

Images: Stellantis

There are two notable Jeep Gladiator concepts that will debut at the 56th annual Easter Jeep Safari – and they’re epic!

Could these Jeep Gladiator concepts point to a second future model? Many of you have clamored for a standard or a “quad-cab” configuration. Some have asked for better approach and departure angles with the Gladiator. Maybe one of the concepts on this page hints towards a second cab design? Or, maybe not.

Ever since TFL Studios began, we have attended every Easter Jeep Safari possible. This event showcases one-off designs that sometimes point to the future. Other times, it’s just a fun design exercise. Still, if enough fans push Jeep to build something, they may consider it. That’s why I’m so psyched for the first concept: the Jeep Bob Concept!

Jeep Bob Concept

Based on a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, which has been “Bobbed” a full 12-inches, the Jeep Bob Concept takes an off-road-bias look at what this truck could be. Jeep designers yanked the cab’s B-pillar, doors, and 12-inches of rear overhang. That means the bed shrinks from 60-inches to about 48-inches. Jeep hasn’t given us official details about the cab’s measurements, but it certainly sure looks like it’s smaller.

This concept also has a unique roof design, which is a combination of hard and soft tops. The panel above the passenger compartment has been perforated, and then covered by a mesh material that extends nearly to the end of the bed. This setup is supposed to maximize light while still providing coverage from the elements.

Jeep added the following to the Jeep Bob Concept:

  • Custom front and rear steel bumpers
  • Three-inch suspension lift with King Coils and Bypass shocks
  • Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 axles
  • 40-inch tires are mounted to 20-inch bead-lock wheels
  • A vented carbon hood (better airflow)
  • Multi-finish exterior paint scheme mixes gloss and matte finish
  • The interior has bright bed-lined floors plus custom trimmed seats

The Bob concept uses the turbocharged 3.0-liter Eco-Diesel V-6 engine. This power is hooked up to the beefed-up TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, It’s also equipped with a Mopar cold-air intake.

Yes – we WILL drive this concept, and get a lot more answers about its proportions.

Jeep D-Coder Concept (by JPP)

Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) and Mopar designed the Jeep D-Coder concept to be a rolling showcase of their components. In fact, they covered the truck with a bunch of QR codes for consumers to scan.

Get it? “D – Coder.”

The Gloss Black Jeep Gladiator D-Coder concept carries more than 35 JPP and Mopar accessories, each painted in contrasting Maraschino Red and labeled with QR (quick response) codes, making this high-performance off-roader a rolling catalog of factory-tested and factory-backed items available for customer purchase. Each scannable QR code provides a live link to the Mopar eStore consumer website for specific part numbers, specifications and pricing information. Enhanced QR codes on the bedside and hood link to the current JPP catalog.

Stellantis

Here are some of the Jeep D-Coder concept’s main goodies:

  • Rubicon three-piece modular bumper with a single-hoop tubular grille and winch guard with a pair of TYRI 7-inch LED off-road lights just above a Rubicon Warn winch.
  • A JPP 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks
  • JPP 17-by-8.5-inch five-spoke bead-lock wheels riding on BFGoodrich KM3 37-inch tires
  • JPP snorkel paired with a cold air intake
  • Mopar cat-back dual exhaust system
  • JPP Gorilla Glass windshield
  • A pair of TYRI 5-inch LED lights mounted to JPP A-pillar mounting brackets on each side of the cowl
  • Heavy-gauge steel JPP rock rails
  • JPP tube doors with JPP tube-door mirrors on both sides
  • Jeep added rock-rails behind the rear wheels
  • A replaceable nylon rock-rail trim cover
  • Mopar grab handles
  • Mopar mesh sunbonnet
  • Maraschino Red Katzkin leather covering both rows of seats
  • Four door-sill guards
  • Stainless-steel pedal covers and all-weather floor mats
  • Sprayed-in textured Mopar bedliner
  • Mopar bed rails carry a THULE cargo basket

We can’t wait to test it! Now, check out this video from last year where we drove the D-Code’s cousin – the Red Bare!

Nathan Adlen
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.