We’ve learned over the years that Jeep can build some outrageously good concept vehicles, ranging from those only mildly accessorized all the way to the other extreme. Engineers of this company have proven to be creative and skillful. Recently they have been working on a new vehicle: the Jeep Quicksand concept. That’s a two-door Wrangler boosted both physically and aesthetically that will make your imagination go wild. This beast was seen at the 2017 Jeep Beach Festival in Daytona, and we had a chance to take a closer look.
Engine
The first thing we have to mention is its glorious 392 cubic inch Hemi V-8 powerplant. Mopar is the company in charge of this crate engine, the same guys that will provide you with any speed part or aftermarket item for your Fiat Chrysler Automobile. Engineers from Jeep fitted the 6.4-liter iron-block unit just between the Wranglers frame rails, and after that, they designed a completely new front clip which encloses the engine bay.
Borla fuel injection paired with velocity stacks that will provide it with air plus long-tube open headers that can make the V-8 be heard on another planet is a hellish combination. We still don’t know how much hp it can produce or torque it delivers since this beast hasn’t been tested on a dyno. However, we have the stock 392 kicks out 485 hp and 475 pound-feet of torque. But we believe that the Quicksand can produce more than that.
Daytona show was packed with Jeeps, the Shores Resort in Daytona was the same venue featured in ‘Days of Thunder’ movie about NASCAR. This annual Jeep Beach event was held with a lot of activity of aftermarket companies, and it was crawling with Jeep owners and fans. Numerous Wranglers were present, some fully kitted with massive lift kits and full body armor, 40-inch tires, snorkels, bikini tops, and heavy-duty winch bumpers. Some Jeeps were parked tire-atop-tire so as to brag about their long-arm suspension systems. And all of those didn’t attract half the attention Quicksand did. Muscular Hemi engine paired with six-speed manual cruised along the beach in second gear with easiness. That was enough for everyone to stop, turn around, take a picture and point at the ‘rat-rodded’ Jeep. That’s the definition of fame right there.
A rocker switch on the dash is there for you to tame the beastly exhaust of the Quicksand. Electronic close valves found in the headers are transferring exhaust away from the open collectors to the dual exhaust system with mufflers in the back. Mufflers don’t do much help there but the noise however still becomes less unpleasant than it is.
A real feast for eyes is how we would qualify this Quicksand concept. The front grille looks futuristic, and we speculate that it could be a sign of the next-generation Wrangler’s design. Velocity plenums are protruding out of the bulging hood’s expansive hole with each plenum feeding its own cylinder. King coil-over shocks and headers can be seen through the large-cut wheel wells.
At the front we can also see a Moon Tank, a gasser motif added to the build which covers a Warn 9.0Rc winch inside. A bolt is hooked to the modified frame rail ends by a chrome tow. At the back, the vehicle looks nothing like a classic Wrangler. The rear also lacks bumper, a spare tire, and tailgate which just helps this SUV feel a bit more like hot-rod. Aluminum grille holds integrated taillights and a parachute pack but this time it is used as a storage space for a synthetic towrope, but it’s still a clever trick.
Just like the outside, the underbody of the Quicksand is extravagant. From the back, we can see the King coil-over shocks. Mounted on low-hanging brackets which are welded to the DynaTrac axles. Admittedly they are not so good for deep mud or rock crawling but they work just fine with the sand, and that is the terrain selected for this vehicle. Wheels are clothed in BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires which are humongous. Tires on the front are 32 inches, and the ones on the rear are 37s which is a first for the Jeep. That kind of setup is highly unfriendly towards a usual 4WD system. Of course, Jeep’s engineering team came up with a solution by running different gearing in the differentials. The rear Dynatrac 60 has a less aggressive but well matched 5.13:1 ratio while on the front DynaTrac 44 axle runs 4.56:1 gearing. Also the both differentials have lockers.
Cabin
The cabin of the Quicksand has been heavily modified also. The only conventional part of the cabin are the doors, and even those are ridden of their factory plastic handles. The roll cage is replaced by a hot-rod looking, chrome plated roof that is about 4 inches lower than in regular version. Extra airflow has been provided by the Plexiglas windshield, and because the HVAC system has been completely removed, that is actually a good thing. The conventional carpet was replaced by a red, spray-on bed liner. The main gauge looks more retro now, and the usual radio is missing because in its place now we have a large tachometer.
The steering wheel has been borrowed from the Dodge Viper which just adds to the high-performance feel. Rocker switches are on an aluminum plate with the auxiliary gauges that have replaced the HVAC vents. The driver is secured by the old school racing lap belts. The company used Wrangler’s conventional seats but cut them down in height and covered them with the quilted-stitched red vinyl. The company placed the battery and a racing fuel cell with dual filler necks behind the seats. Another really cool thing is that the aluminum caps are engraved with ‘Detroit Rocket Fuel Only.’ Amazing attention to details by the engineers.
All in all the Quicksand concept was an absolute hit on the Jeep Beach. It bears amazing looks, sounds powerful and actually is really powerful. It attracted a lot of attention, maybe more than any of the previous ‘one-off’ Jeep builds.
