We can't decide which concept we like most.
Dodge’s in-house aftermarket parts arm Mopar is going big this year at SEMA. It’s bringing a total of three concepts—an electrified Jeep CJ and two custom Ram 1500s—to the floor for 2022, each cooler than the last.
The most interesting of the bunch has to be the electrified Jeep. Called the CJ Surge concept, it’s based on a Seventies CJ but uses a totally new, all-electric powertrain. The 200-kW electric motor sits longitudinally inside the engine bay and sends torque to all four wheels via a two-speed Jeep transfer case and Dana 44 crate axles, while the batteries sit tucked into a custom shell in the rear of the cabin.
Mopar says this CJ is being used to develop a possible electric conversion parts kit for older Jeeps. Other upgrades include 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, a two-inch lift kit, a JPP Rubicon Warn winch, and a dashboard from a later JK Wrangler.
Next up is the Ram 1500 TRX Gold Shot concept. Built to be the world’s best motocross transporter, it’s mechanically identical to the normal TRX, meaning 702 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 going to all four wheels via a full-time AWD system. The most obvious upgrade is the wheelset, the stock items swapped out for a set of custom 18 by 9.5-inch wheels wrapped in gigantic 37-inch BFGoodrich tires. A pair of dirt bikes have no issue fitting in the bed, illuminated by a pair of 14-inch LED light bars mounted to the back of the cab. There’s also a spray-in bed liner and a Mopar bed-step for easier access.
Underneath the Gold Shot you’ll find a pair of custom skid plates front and rear, along with a pair of rock rails in case the trails get especially tough. Inside there’s a smattering of gold accent trim and stitching, pairing to the exterior’s bright theme.
Last but not least is the Ram 1500 Backcountry X concept. Mopar says it’s designed “for the truck owner who is serious about combining work and play,” alluding to its unique storage solutions in the bed area.
In addition to the standard “RamBox” storage areas inside the sides of the bed, Mopar has added a custom set of “RamPack” storage compartments that sit vertically above, accessed via a carbon-fiber hatch panel. Inside you’ll find a set of rectangular shelves and tie-downs to secure gear. Further in you’ll find the “RamRack,” a modular mounting system for the bed and overhead for securing gear and expanding storage space.
Storage solutions aren’t the only things the Backcountry X has going for it. There’s also Fox shocks that provide a two-inch lift over the standard truck, paired to a set of 20-by-9-inch Fuel Heater wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich tires. Inside you’ll find a set of bucket seats front and rear, along with a deployable work surface with an integrated measuring system, which slides out from the center armrest.
Brian Silvestro Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
Keyword: Mopar Brings an Electric Jeep CJ and Two Custom Ram 1500s to SEMA