“Is that what I think it is?” While leaving lunch at El Encanto in Cave Creek, Arizona, with my family this past weekend, I drove by a Jeep Wrangler that looked familiar. Was it the Shortcut concept from the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari?
Every spring, Jeep enthusiasts converge on Moab, Utah for the Easter Jeep Safari (EJS), an event filled with wheeling, lessons, repairs, and unforgettable views and experiences. Jeep always adds to the fun by bringing concept vehicles that show off new parts and different spins on historic and current models. Back in 2016, Jeep arrived at the 50th-annual EJS with seven one-off builds, which included the Crew Chief 715 (a salute to Jeep military vehicles), the cab-over FC 150, and the Trailstorm, which was equipped with a two-inch lift kit, 37-inch tires, and Dana 44 axles.
Photo courtesy of Stellantis
The JK Wrangler-based Shortcut was inspired by the CJ-5 and customized from front to back with a 12-inch body chop to make it more maneuverable, custom chrome bumpers, and a unique grille, hood, fender flares, and tailgate. Jeep painted the 17-inch steel wheels red to match the body and wrapped them in 35-inch BF-Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 rubber. The folks at Jeep Performance Parts lifted the Shortcut two inches and installed Dana 44 axles and Fox shocks.
Photo courtesy of Stellantis
Under the four-point safety cage was a pair of red leather seats with red plaid inserts. Jeep’s familiar Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 breathed through a modified exhaust system and channeled its power through a five-speed automatic.
When my family and I rolled by this particular red Wrangler on our way out of the parking lot, I immediately turned my head and stopped to take a picture. It had been several years since I had seen the official photos of the Shortcut, but I remembered its general look enough to know that I wasn’t staring at a typical customized Jeep. There was enough there to make me think twice: red paint, two missing doors, red and plaid seats, and a Shortcut badge (minus the scissors).
Photo courtesy of Stellantis
Of course, there was plenty that was off about this build, too. Logic soon took over, reminding me that legal and other reasons made it highly unlikely that Jeep sold one of its concepts to a member of the public. Once I reacquainted myself with the press photos of the Shortcut and compared them to the Wrangler, it was clear that this random Jeep had the wrong bumpers, fender flares, wheels, and interior. However, it had one very important thing: a passionate owner who was willing to modify a Wrangler into just the rig that he/she wanted. Perhaps one of you out there will encounter this passion project at Easter Jeep Safari in the future.
