Custom Wrangler is basically a better version of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 for a bargain.
When Mercedes-Benz released photos of its G63 AMG 6X6 several years ago, it sent the automotive enthusiast community into a frenzy. It was everywhere online and people couldn’t stop talking about it. It was outrageous. It was badass. Pretty soon, it was imitated. Six-wheeled vehicles weren’t necessary, but a strong desire for more of them arose.
One notable company that began offering a six-wheeled vehicle is Hennessey, which offers a 6X6 version of its VelociRaptor (which is already special enough because the regular VelociRaptor is a Ford F-150 Raptor on steroids). It’s only logical that at least one company produced a six-wheeled version of the Jeep Wrangler. While it’s not clear who exactly built this 2012 Wrangler Unlimited 6X6, it is clear that it’s for sale in Georgia.
From the looks of it, the only stock parts left on this beast seem to be the hood, windshield, and the front doors. Everything else appears to have been customized. The front bumper has been beefed up and sits under an angry-looking custom grille. Under the hood, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 has been replaced with a massive 6.4-liter Hemi V8, which is connected to a six-speed automatic. Up top, auxiliary lights offer a better view of trails and the road ahead. The floor of the covered truck bed is lined with what appear to be wood slats. That’s flanked by aftermarket taillights.
A 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit and a set of 22-inch wheels makes this custom even more visible than it already was. Ingress and egress is now easier thanks to power steps and rear doors that are the same size as the front doors. Inside, the interior sports a custom dash (which seems to have been inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class) and red baseball stitching on the steering wheel and seats. Fourteen speakers pump out the tunes while a rearview mirror camera system looks out for people and objects behind this monster.
At an asking price of more than a quarter of a million dollars, this special Jeep isn’t cheap, but it’s a helluva lot less than a Mercedes-Benz AMG 6X6.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
