Moab's mighty Mopar machines
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2nd April, 2010
Chrysler Group LLC arrived with truckloads of
head-turning, “Moparised” Jeep® and Ram Truck vehicles to showcase at the 44th annual Moab Easter
Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, USA.
“Our customised production vehicles show how Mopar can accessorise Jeep and Ram vehicles that
are on the road today while our image vehicles showcase directions we could take in the future,”
said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care,
Chrysler Group LLC. “We will gauge reaction to these vehicles. And as we develop our next
generation of new Mopar parts and accessories, we will listen closely to this dedicated group of
hard-core off-road enthusiasts.”
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“Moparised” Vehicles
The Mopar design team is a small group of dedicated engineers, designers and fabricators who are led
by Mark Allen, Chief Designer – Head of Jeep Design Studio, Chrysler Group LLC. The Mopar design team
has been customising production vehicles since 2002 and has introduced nearly 20 concept vehicles to
enthusiast crowds at the Moab Jeep Safari.
The Mopar off-road engineering team is led by Keith Montone, Manager – Mopar Jeep and Ram Off-road
Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. This experienced group of vehicle engineers is dedicated to providing
Jeep and Ram customers with the best off-road parts and accessories. The team has introduced many new
parts and played a key role in developing the first aftermarket lift kits available from an automotive
manufacturer.
“Moab is a proving ground for us to test our vehicles on extreme trails alongside our
customers,”
said Allen. “We will take all of the feedback we get from our customers right back to the design
studio with us.”
Six “Moparised” vehicles are being shown in Moab:
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Jeep Wrangler J7
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Jeep Wrangler J7
Built off of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Jeep Wrangler J7 is designed to have the basic
appeal of military-issued vehicles. The Mopar team removed standard content including carpet, fog lamps,
alloy wheels and the stereo system before adding front and rear steel bumpers, ‘helicopter hooks’, a
heavy-duty tailgate and steel wheels. Off-road capability is increased with a Mopar 2 inch suspension
lift and 35 inch Mickey Thompson tyres. The unique Mustard Plug exterior paint is highlighted with Jeep
Wrangler J7 graphics.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 3.8 litre V6
- Transmission: Four-speed automatic
- Overall height: 74.3 inches
- Overall width: 78.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 116 inches
- Weight: 4,482 lbs.
- Tyres: 35-12.50R/17 M/T Baja Claw radial
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Jeep Patriot Extreme
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Jeep Patriot Extreme
The Mopar team started with a Sunburst Orange Jeep Patriot model equipped with the Trail-Rated
off-road package and added a 2 inch Rocky Road Outfitters suspension lift, TJ ‘Moab’ 16 inch wheels,
and BF Goodrich KM2 tyres. Additional protection is added to the front and rear fascias with custom
rock rails. Mopar added heavy-duty slush mats, Kicker audio and a roof-mounted snowboard carrier.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 2.4 litre DOHC 16-valve VVT I-4
- Transmission: CVT2L with 19.1:1 first-gear crawl ratio
- Overall height: 66.9 inches
- Overall width: 69.8 inches
- Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
- Weight: 3,332 lbs.
- Tyres: 225-75R/16 BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain
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Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss
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Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss
The Jeep Wrangler Trail Boss was built to showcase Mopar off-road products in the brand’s trail
catalogue. The Trail Boss is a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that is built for serious off-road
duty. The vehicle features a half-door kit, sun bonnet, front and rear AEV off-road bumpers, a Warn
9.5 ti winch, rear-tyre carrier, AEV hood, 3 inch lift kit, Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlock wheels,
Katzkin leather seat trim kit, slush mats and a Kicker audio system.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 3.8 litre V6
- Transmission: four-speed automatic
- Overall height: 74.4 inches
- Overall width: 78.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 95.4 inches
- Weight: 4,350 pounds
- Tyres: 35 x 12.50R/17 M/T Baja Claw radial
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Jeep Nukizer 715
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Jeep Nukizer 715
The Jeep Nukizer 715 is an all-purpose truck that pays homage to the beloved military-only
Kaiser M-715 truck. With a military-issue Jeep J8 four-door, the Mopar team converted the
vehicle into a utility body style by adding an aftermarket AEV Brute pick-up box built for a
TJ. To increase the size of the vehicle, the wheelbase is stretched to 124 inches from 116
inches. Enforcing the brand’s iconic M-715 is a new front clip produced in carbon fibre that
remakes the characteristic forward slant of the M-715 truck. To top it off, Bestop provided a
unique soft top which artfully captures all of the quirks of the original.
Drivetrain upgrades include 'beefy' Dynatrac Pro-Rock Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles
filled with 5:38 gears and ARB Airlocker differentials. Power is distributed by an Atlas II
transfer case spinning custom driveshafts from Tom Woods. To keep the military look, tyres are
38 inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrains mounted on Hutchinson beadlock wheels.
The powerplant remains a J8-specific 2.8 litre turbo diesel I-4 that has been treated to a
re-programmed controller for more boost. Fuel is supplied from a custom Gen-Right tank made
specifically for this vehicle and mounts to the rear cross member.
For body protection, Mopar added Jeep Wrangler rock rails and off-road bumpers. Other
features include a Warn 9.5XP low-profile winch equipped with a Master Pull synthetic winch
line, Warn air compressor, Terraflex dual-rate front sway bar and Garmin GPS Map 640 navigation
unit.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 2.8 litre turbo diesel I-4
- Transmission: four-speed automatic
- Overall height: 75.2 inches
- Overall width: 78.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 124 inches
- Weight: 4,500 pounds
- Tyres: 38 x 14.50-R17 BF Goodrich KM2
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Ram PowerWagon
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Ram PowerWagon
The mighty Ram Power Wagon is the full-size utility truck (known as pick-up truck in USA)
of choice in a range of off-road situations. For Mopar’s Ram PowerWagon image vehicle, the
team matched a unique 120 inch wheelbase chassis to a regular cab and step-side box. Axle
articulation is greatly increased by utilising the rear link-coil suspension of the Ram 1500.
To gain additional ground clearance, Mopar added a new 4 inch suspension lift and 40 inch
tyres. Body protection comes from Rock-Slide Engineering-supplied sill guards, and custom
front and rear bumpers. The spare tyre is re-located to the cargo box. For visual impact, the
team used a menacing two-tone black-on-white look, inspired by the wild paint schemes of
Power Wagons in the 1970s.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 5.7 litre HEMI V8
- Transmission: five-speed automatic
- Overall height: 81.5 inches
- Overall width: 83.5 inches
- Wheelbase: 120 inches
- Weight: 6,500 pounds
- Tyres: 40-14.5R/17 BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain
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The General
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The General
For the ultimate in rock-crawling capability, "The General" features a custom Mopar 4.5
inch performance lift kit installed on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler. A new flat guard kit and
Mopar/Hutchinson Rock Monster beadlocks allow tyre pressure to be safely lowered for
extreme driving conditions. Front and rear off-road bumpers and rock rails offer serious
protection while the Mopar half-door kit provides improved visibility. The hood and rear
spare tyre carrier feature custom Mopar graphics splashed across the Mopar Blue exterior.
Vehicle information:
- Engine: 3.7 litre V6
- Transmission: 42 RLE
- Overall Height: 80 inches
- Overall Width: 77 inches
- Wheelbase: 94.5 inches
- Weight: 4,000 lbs
- Tyres: 37 inch Goodyear MTR's
Following are select “Moparised” production vehicles that will be shown in Moab:
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Ram Runner
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Mopar Ram Runner
This is a new kind of Ram. Inspired by Baja-style desert racing, this 4x4 is unlike any other
in captivity. The rigours of off-road racing require large tyres, plenty of ground clearance,
extreme durability and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous
impact. These features are combined into a package that is stable at speed and rock-solid in the
corners. To achieve this kind of handling, a low centre of gravity and long wheel travel are
paramount.
The Mopar Ram Runner has the look and feel of thoroughbred desert racer. Inspired by trophy
trucks, steel front guards and rear bed-sides are replaced with fibreglass, allowing tremendous
suspension articulation with zero interference.
Vehicle information:
- Prototype of full suspension that Mopar will offer later this year
- 35 inch x 12.5 inch x 17 inch DOT-approved General Grabber Competition tyres
- Three-inch diameter internal bypass Fox shocks provide front and rear motion control
- 6061 T6, billet aluminium upper A-arms contain rebuild-able, high-angle ball joints that
permit a massive 14 inches of wheel travel
- High-angle CV joints are combined with plunging, splined axles made of 300 M tool steel and
1.00 inch diameter high-angle tie rods
- 4130 chromed moly steel lower control arms
- Variable-rate coils support bed loads while special control arms provide 14 inches of wheel travel
- Custom tubular Baja bumper and aluminium skid plate combination that housed four high-powered, LED
off-road lights
- A six-point roll cage finalises the package while a special tubular tyre carrier keeps a spare
handy in the bed while maximising load space
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The Mopar ImMortal is a Jeep Wrangler
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Mopar ImMortal
The Mopar ImMortal is a Jeep Wrangler featuring portal axles, a 5.7 litre HEMI and off-road bumpers.
Military-grade portal axle ends are engineered to match to Mopar’s Pro Rock and Power Wagon performance
axles and adapted to fit the suspension. Portal axle ends provide 5 inches of lift and contain a 1.5
gear reduction. Combined with the 4:1 transfer case, the result is a hard-core 100:1 crawl ratio. The
Mopar ImMortal is sheathed in Jeep performance body armour for intense protection.
Vehicle Information:
- Prototype Mopar portal axle assemblies
- 42 x 14.5 x 17LT Goodyear MTR tyres
- Mopar Jeep Wrangler 4:1 Rock Trac transfer case
- Mopar Jeep Wrangler 2 inch lift kit
- Mopar Performance body armour
- Mopar AEV heat-reduction hood
- Mopar half-door kit
- Mopar sun bonnet
- Mopar Jeep Wrangler seat covers
- Paint – Viper Snakeskin Green Pearlcoat
- Tom Woods custom drive shafts
- AEV 5.7 litre HEMI V-8 conversion
- Off-road front and rear bumpers
- Hydraulic steering assist
- Katzkin leather seats
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