The Jeep CJ Surge idea is a glance into the way forward for the traditional. Jeep is looking it an ‘electromod’ — a car that has been restored and up to date with an electrical driveline.
Jeep follows up two Magneto EV ideas by turning a classic CJ into an electrical off-roader. The Jeep CV Surge is a preview of the way forward for electrical conversions. It’s additionally an opportunity for Mopar designers and engineers to be taught extra about constructing electrical crate motor conversion kits.
Jeep is working exhausting on electrifying its present lineup, launching the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe fashions. Jeep can be spending billions on launching 4 new all-electric SUVs by 2025.
The corporate’s plan is to see half of its gross sales be electrical autos throughout the subsequent 3 years. With that in thoughts, it’s not a lot of a shock that Jeep and components model Mopar are engaged on a method to assist make previous Jeeps electrical as properly.
Basic CJ Will get Electrical Energy
Jeep began with a traditional CJ mannequin. That’s the designation it used for round-light Jeeps from the primary civilian fashions in 1944 by to the introduction of the square-lamp YJ Jeep Wrangler in 1986. However past the electrical modifications, that is removed from a inventory Jeep CJ.
Jeep cropped the windshield by 2 inches to offer the CJ Surge a decrease look. Then Mopar added copper paint with gloss black accents and painted the idea Mopar hood and the grille in a shiny black end. Surf Blue pinstriping and lettering units off the hood and the door openings.
Black Rhino constructed the 18×9-inch wheels. They’re painted matte black with a surf blue pinstripe in the identical Surf Blue Jeep makes use of to indicate off its 4xe fashions. The {custom} wheels put on 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and the CJ Surge has the 2-inch raise that appears to be obligatory for any Jeep idea.
CJ Surge Idea: 268 Electrical Ponies Beneath the Hood
Electrical energy comes from a very {custom} setup from Jeep and Mopar. Mounted beneath the hood is a 200kW — 268-horsepower — electrical drive motor. The 400-volt electrical system makes use of 24 lithium-ion batteries packed right into a module within the Jeep’s trunk. That battery pack can be scalable, so Jeep can add roughly energy (and vary) if the package makes manufacturing, to let it match totally different wants and budgets.
Jeep put a two-speed switch case behind the electrical motor, so the CJ Surge has each high- and low-range gearing and drive in any respect 4 tires.
Though 268 horsepower doesn’t sound like so much, a Jeep CJ didn’t have quite a lot of ponies when it left the manufacturing facility. The most important engine provided again then was a 304-cubic-inch (5.0L) AMC V8 that made 210 horsepower when it launched in 1970. The engine then dropped to only 125 horsepower by 1980, making this electrical possibility an enormous improve for any CJ proprietor.
Jeep did beef up the driveline, putting in Dana 44 axles entrance and rear. The axles come straight from the Jeep Efficiency Components catalog. They’re already provided as a crate package for anybody seeking to beef up their Jeep.
Jeep Efficiency Catalog Will get Bolted On
A Warn winch — additionally from the JPP catalog — is put in on a JPP bumper. Like lots of the components used, it’s a JK Wrangler half. The bumper will get modified to suit and wears surf blue tow hooks and amber fog lights.
Jeep additionally bolted on JPP Rubicon skid plates and bumper plates, together with idea rock rails. These rock rails may find yourself within the Jeep components catalog down the highway.
Jeep didn’t neglect in regards to the cabin, both. It stuffed a middle console initially destined for a JK Wrangler between the 2 {custom} seats that sit excessive on idea seat risers. These {custom} seats put on black material with houndstooth inserts and surf blue stitching. Jeep additionally put a rotary controller on the brand new console to vary gears and put in a cost indicator so you understand how a lot battery is left.
Ending off the CJ Surge idea is a custom-built roll cage with a bikini-style prime to maintain you out of the solar. Moreover, there are a set of Mopar all-weather ground mats, as a result of Mopar places these in each idea it touches.
Jeep CJ Surge Idea Coming to SEMA
The Jeep CJ Surge idea makes its debut on the 2022 SEMA present in Las Vegas this week.
