Jeep's Easter Safari Has Produced Yet Another Cool Restomod
For more than 50 years, Red Rock 4-Wheelers off-road club have taken their vehicles to the rough terrain around Moab, Utah, and pitted themselves against nature. Representatives from Jeep come along, and usually bring along some fascinating concepts. This truck,called the Jeep M-175 Five Quarter, is one of the latest, and it’s a superb little thing. Based on a 1968 Jeep Gladiator, as produced for the US Army, this is an extremely thorough restomod.
First and foremost, Jeep wanted to make the truck lighter. The front end was replaced with one made of carbon fiber, while the bed was replaced with one made of aluminum. The bumpers, however, are steel, taken from the 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. The restomod also features functional rock sliders. To allow for better off-roading, the frame has been reinforced, while the ancient leafsprings have been replaced with coilovers. The new Dynatrac Pro-rock 60 front axle sits two inches further forward than stock, with a Pro-rock 80 situated at the rear. The entire restomod rolls on 20-inch wheels with 40-inch tires.
Despite being focused mostly on performance, aesthetics haven’t been entirely left by the wayside. The bed is lined with wood slats, and the roof sits 3.5 inches lower than on the original Gladiator. All original lights have been replaced with HiDs and LEDs. The instrument panel and door panels are made of aluminum. The upholstery is simple, with the seats, taken from a Wrangler, lacking headrests.
Under the hood, you can find a Hellcrate Hemi V8, that provides more than 700 horsepower. A truly awesome Jeep restomod.
