The Jeep Orange Peel concept “pays tribute to the long-standing, open-air, fun-and-freedom lifestyle.”
Based on a new two-door Wrangler, the build team began by removing the factory doors both the side and rear windows. A set of Jeep Performance Parts half doors were installed, along with a unique top featuring a custom one-piece Freedom Top glass sunroof that is painted black to provide a sharp contrast against the bright orange exterior paint.
The Orange Peel concept also sports a black stripe that runs around the beltline, unique classic-look badges in black and black JPP wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud terrain tires. Furthering the off-road-ready look, this Moab-bound concept wears 5-inch LED off-road lights, a Mopar windshield made with Corning Gorilla Glass, a Rubicon steel bumper with a 2-inch steel grille guard, an 8,000-pound Warn winch, rock rails and a JPP Swing Gate Hinge Reinforcement, allowing a 37-inch spare tire to fit.
On the inside, the Jeep Orange Peel concept features orange-heavy plaid panels on the seats, doors and center console, as well as orange stitching on the steering wheel shifter boot and parking brake handle. There is also a set of stainless steel pedal covers, branded door sill plates and all-weather floormats.
The Orange Peel concept is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, offering 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in stock form. This V6 is aided by a JPP cold air intake and cat-back exhaust system, but there is no indication as to how much power those components add.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
