Jeep drops details on six Easter Jeep Safari Concepts

Jeep has released details on six new concepts the company crafted for this year's Easter Jeep Safari, including the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept.

And while that vehicle boasts a slew of off-road goodies, including tow hooks, aggressive Goodyear Wrangler rubber and a rear light bar, we're more interested in the wicked Mighty FC Concept pictured above.

Engineers built the Mighty FC as a tribute to the Jeep Forward Control that was offered between 1956 and 1965. Using a 2012 Wrangler Rubicon as a platform, the company stretched the wheelbase, stuck the cab ahead of the front axle and threw in a custom drop-side cargo box. Underneath, the Mighty FC uses a set of Mopar eight-lug portal axles, which offer a surprising amount of ground clearance without having to resort to a lift. If you like what you see, the axles are available for a combined price of $23,500. The truck rolls on 40-inch tires, and a King coil-over suspension handles the bumps and bruises of the trail.

Of course, the Jeep J-12 Concept (above, left) is equally delicious in its own right. An extended version of the JK-8 pickup, the concept began life as a 2012 Wrangler Unlimited, though the frame has been stretched a total of 18 inches. With a full six-foot bed, custom hood and unique fenders, the concept is straight awesome. Build it, Jeep.

The automaker also showed off an accessorized version of the standard Wrangler as well as a Wrangler Traildozer concept (above, right). The latter of the two was built by partnering with the off-road gurus at American Expedition Vehicles. With a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 and a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox, the machine has the go-bits to tackle any trail. Dana 44 axles with electronic locking differentials at the front and rear are also part of the package.

Likewise, the Wrangler Apache concept (above, left) gets its power from the same fire-breathing Hemi, though that vehicle uses a Mopar conversion kit for the swap. With a beefy lift and 5.13 axles, the Apache should have no problem taking on the rocks of Moab.

Unfortunately, Chrysler has yet to release a full batch of official images for each vehicle, so went to their headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI, and shot them ourselves

USA: Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate

A local television news report on a so-called Jeep "death wobble" has led two members of the House of Representatives to write a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting more information about the situation, which they describe as a "serious safety issue."

The three-page letter does not demand an investigation or recall, but asks the agency numerous questions regarding the problem and what is known about it. The original report aired on KGO-TV in San Francisco in February.

The two members of Congress describe the problem as "a powerful shaking of the steering wheel and front wheels after a driver hits road bumps at speed," affecting 2005-2010 model year Jeep Wranglers. The news report says NHTSA has received over 600 complaints about wobbling and vibrating in Jeep vehicles since 1995, "mostly Wranglers." Indeed, YouTube is rife with videos of shaking Wranglers, some of which we've gathered after the jump.

Chrysler issued the following statement regarding the accusations:
Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed every applicable government safety standard and have excellent safety records. All manufacturer vehicles equipped with a solid axle are susceptible to vibration and, if experienced, it can be corrected by performing minor maintenance items, such as properly balancing or changing the tires, or a front end alignment, installing a new steering dampener, or by tightening or replacing other loose or worn parts. In fact, most reported incidents – in all manufacturer vehicles equipped with or without a solid axle – are often linked to poorly installed or maintained after-market equipment, such as lift kits, oversized tires, etc. This is not a safety issue, and there are no injuries involving Chrysler Group vehicles related to this allegation. Indeed, the name you've given to this condition has no basis in fact.

While we're not so sure blaming the customer for improper maintenance is the right response, we will say that Wranglers and their antecedents are unique beasts, what with their solid axles and high centers of gravity. This is why they're so wonderful off road, and why those that choose to use them as daily drivers shouldn't expect them to behave exactly like every other vehicle they encounter on their commute. And of course if there is, indeed, a "serious safety issue" with the Wrangler, we would expect Chrysler to address it.

NHTSA opens investigation into alleged Wrangler fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has opened preliminary investigation PE12009 covering 2010 Jeep Wranglers equipped with automatic transmissions.

The investigation will focus on the transmission, engine and engine cooling system.

In the announcement, the ODI says it has received eight reports alleging fires originating in the engine compartment. Seven of the eight complainants allege the fire or symptoms of the impending fire began while driving.

PE12009 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. The complaints can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following ODI identification numbers: 10358879, 10441570, 10371836, 10421483, 10423198, 10427833, 10429042, 10451570.

The NHTSA action is not a recall at this time. Chrysler Group sold more than 90,000 2010 Wranglers.

Jeep Brands Breaks Two-Million Facebook Fans

The Jeep® brand is celebrating a major milestone today as its Facebook page has reached over 2 million fans. The brand is the first domestic automotive brand to hit the 2 million mark on Facebook, outpacing the next closest domestic brand by approximately 700,000 fans.

"On behalf of the entire Jeep brand team, I would like to extend a personal thank you to our consumers – and literally millions of fans – for their continued loyalty and support," said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are proud of our 70-year history and all that the Jeep brand has accomplished along the way. Jeep vehicle owners are unlike any others; from those who embrace the 'Jeep wave' to those who look forward to helping a fellow off-roader along the trail, there is a sense of community and passion among Jeep owners that makes our brand unique."

The Jeep brand Facebook can be viewed at www.Facebook.com\Jeep

Chrysler preparing two Chinese-influenced concepts for Beijing

Chrysler has announced that in honor of the brand's return to the Chinese market, it's bringing two design concept to the Beijing Motor Show later this month. The first is a sharp-looking 300C with an all-black exterior, a set of very large wheels and a two-toned interior with light-colored leather seating surfaces.

The seatbacks are embossed with some sort of symbol, what looks to be gusts of wind. Chrysler says this special 300C was "created specifically with Chinese elements in mind," but we'll have to wait a couple weeks to find out exactly what that means.

The 300C, however, is a wallflower compared to this Jeep Wrangler design concept that unabashedly wears its Chinese pride like a flag draped around its shoulders. Said to be inspired by the Year of the Dragon, the black Wrangler features dragon decals on its sheetmetal, some small and some very large, as well as a very ornate image of a dragon on the underside of the hood.

The all-black exterior is set of with gold accents on the black wheels, as well as gold trim around the headlights and trademark seven-slat grille. Lastly, the lighting has been upgraded with a set of high-tech LEDs set within the Wrangler's traditional round headlamps. It may be strange to see all that Chinese iconography on something so American as a Jeep Wrangler, but it's no more stranger than an American flag-wearing edition of the Italian Fiat 500.