During this year SEMA Las Vegas, Jeep tried to impress the audience with a special car. It is called Jeep CJ66 and is in fact a Jeep Wrangler TJ frame with a 1966 Jeep Wrangler CJ universal Tuxedo Park body on it, added Wrangler JK elements and new Mopar-powered products.
The narrow-bodied Jeep CJ66 harnesses horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission. A Mopar engine cover shelters the powerplant and a Mopar cold-air intake and Mopar cat-back exhaust. Front and rear Mopar Dana 44 Crate axles help the Wrangler easily crawl over rocks and boulders.
The painted, Copper Canyon-colored body pops, riding high on giant 35-inch BFG all-terrain tires paired with a two-inch lift kit. The BFGs are wrapped around functional, Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 17-inch beadlock wheels that assist the rubber in negotiating the off-road, with custom beadlock rings painted to match the body color.
A concept two-way air system allows off-roaders to quickly air up or air down tires to the desired pressure. Oversized, concept fender flares offer defense against trail obstacles at the front and rear, with added protection delivered by Mopar 10th Anniversary Wrangler JK Rubicon Bumper Kits, JPP skid and front bumper plates and concept JPP rock rails custom cut to fit the Wrangler CJ body.
The Copper Canyon skin is highlighted on both sides with a custom matte-black CJ66 graphic stripe that runs along the side of hood. The concept hood, bezel and latch are also colored matte black, along with the iconic seven-slot Jeep grille and bezels of the Wrangler JK headlamps.
Mopar LED amber fog lamps and a Mopar Warn winch, with a fair lead adapter to guide the winch cable, augment the CJ66’s off-road capabilities. The custom, race-car-inspired fuel filler cap is shifted to the inside fender wheel well.
The driver and passenger are perched in custom Viper seats featuring concept seat risers. The cockpit is surrounded by a custom-built roll cage, mandril-bent to match the windshield surround. A bikini top netting offers shade and cover from the elements. The center of the custom steering wheel, stamped with the special 50th Anniversary Moab Easter Jeep Safari logo unveiled by the Jeep brand earlier this year, reveals the CJ66’s Moab-inspired origins. A Wrangler JK center console and shifter were imported, with Mopar instrument panel gauges and Mopar all-weather mats completing the interior.
