Chrysler Group: Mighty Mopar Machines Arrive in Moab
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MULGRAVE, AUSTRALIA – April 1, 2010: Chrysler Group LLC arrived with truckloads of head-turning, “Moparized” Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles to showcase at the 44th annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.
“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.”
“Moparized” 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.”
Following are six “Moparized” image vehicles that will be
shown in Moab:
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:
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:
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 9.5ti 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:
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 pickup body style by adding an aftermarket AEV Brute pickup 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 re-creates 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-liter 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:
Ram PowerWagon
The mighty Ram Power Wagon is the full-size
pickup truck of choice in a range of off-road situations. For Mopar’s
Ram PowerWagon image vehicle, the team mated a unique 120-inch wheelbase
chassis to a regular cab and step-side box. Axle articulation is greatly
increased by utilizing 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:
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 fender 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:
Following are select “Moparized” production vehicles that
will be shown in Moab:
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 rigors 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 fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fibreglass, allowing tremendous suspension articulation with zero interference.
Vehicle information:
Mopar ImMortal
The Mopar ImMortal is a Jeep Wrangler
featuring portal axles, a 5.7-liter HEMI and off-road bumpers.
Military-grade portal axle ends are engineered to mate 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: