Lucas Bell 
It is finally spring again, after what can only be desired as one of the strangest years in living memory. And while this changing of the season is welcomed by just about everyone, off-roading fans have a great reason to get excited. That is because this weekend marks the start of the 2021 Easter Jeep Safari. Kicking off on March 27 and running through April 4, this annual event in Moab, Utah is back after a slight hiatus for 2020. Off-roading fans from all over will descend on Moab to take in some incredible scenery while testing their metal on some of the hardest trails here in the States. And now thanks to the folks at Stellantis, we have a look at some of the vehicles that Jeep has prepared for the event. That includes this Gladiator-based Jeep Red Bare concept in all of its EcoDiesel-powered glory.
According to the automaker, the Jeep Red Bare concept is an homage to the countless number of Jeep owners who spend their time customizing the appearance of their vehicles to their personal taste. It started life as a Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel, powered by the turbocharged 3.0L V6 of the same name. It produces 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, which comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the standard mid-size truck, this vehicle features a unique set of upgraded Dana 44 axles. The gearing has been swapped from 4.10 to 4.88, which provides a ridiculous crawl ratio of 91:1. Combine that with the low-end torque of the diesel powertrain and you have a seriously potent off-roading combination.
The Jeep Red Bare concept also features a few other upgrades to help better utilize that new gear set. More specifically, Jeep has fit the truck with a 2-inch JPP lift, as well as 17-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires. We’ve seen more automakers embrace these larger tire sizes lately, including Ford and their all-new 2021 F-150 Raptor. Don’t expect to see these tires come as a factory option on the Gladiator anytime soon however.
Like every Easter Jeep Safari concept, the Jeep Red Bare also features some serious visual tweaks. This truck is finished in Fire Cracker Red, which is offset by unique black and gold graphics. The hardtop is replaced by a factory soft-top, and the doors are even the half-door units that the automaker has rolled out on the Wrangler. Other tweaks on the exterior include a Warn winch, a front bumper grille guard, a bed-mounted sport bar and cover system, and JPP Sand Slider rock rails.
Inside the Jeep Red Bare you’ll find custom Katzkin black leather seats, which feature red accent stitching and red flannel inserts. This flannel can also be found on the instrument cluster, which is an interesting use of the material. It’s not an overly fussy interior, but one that does a good job of highlighting the rugged nature of Jeep products.
The Jeep Red Bare is just one of many concept vehicles that will take part in the Jeep Easter Safari in the coming days. And while it may not be as dramatic as some of the other entrants, it’s hard not to like a build that owners could mimic on their own. For more information on the event, you can click the link provided here.
What do you think of this modified Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel? Let us know down below!
