The Jeep CJ Surge is a restomodded electric off-roader

Jeep has shown off its CJ Surge ‘electromod’ concept at the 2022 Sema Show in Las Vegas alongside a host of other vehicles including modified RAM utes.

The Surge takes the CJ Jeep platform and retrofits it with an electric four-wheel drive powertrain with 400-volt electrics and 200kW of power.

The result is rad: Squat, short, with an absurdly wide track hidden under broad fender flares – this is undoubtedly a cool EV.

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Jeep says the CJ Surge is an exercise in looking to the future of modification in an electric era; opening up avenues for enthusiasts to enjoy the look, feel and experience of classic cars without the pollution or hassle of carburetors and distributors.

This is unlikely to become mass market, but for those out there interested, Jeep is surely looking for buyer feedback.

The electric CJ Surge is a Mopar project that uses factory parts, and senior VP of Mopar service, Mark Bosanac, said: “The Jeep CJ Surge concept explores a future zero-emission propulsion system kit and supports the Jeep brand’s mission to become the leading electrified SUV brand in the world.”

What is the CJ Surge?

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Underneath, it’s a CJ Jeep, a vehicle that was produced as a new vehicle in various forms from 1944-1986 from Willy's War Jeeps to the late model CJ-7.

The power module is a custom-built unit with 24 lithium-ion cells, a 200kW electric motor mounted solidly to the ladder frame chassis powering all four wheels via a two-speed transfer case for high and low-speed driving.

Far from a home-job, though, the electric powertrain is mounted beautifully under the bonnet, with all the chrome trimmings you expect from a classic car. There's art to how the Mopar Jeep Performance Parts team have put the Surge together.

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To enhance its off-road ability a two-inch lift kit has been thrown at the Surge, as have 18x9-inch Black Rhino wheels shod in 35-inch BF Goodrich tyres.

There’s also a set of Jeep Performance Parts Dana 44 solid axles for maximum articulation, and the front bumper is from a JK Wrangler Rubicon with a winch installed.

For enhanced off-road protection, more Wrangler parts are used with skid plates and rock sliders form the JK Rubicon as well.

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The interior isn’t pure CJ, utilising a home-made looking mix of Wrangler upper dash and instrument cluster with Mopar gauges, custom steering wheel with JPP horn badge, centre-mounted rotary shift knob and all-weather floor mats.

There are also custom bucket seats rocking houndstooth and Sedoso cloth upholstery, a custom two-inch cropped windscreen and a roll cage fabricated for the CJ Surge.

Finished in Copper Canyon paintwork with Surf Blue and black contrasting decals, the CJ Surge is a mean looking beast with only the EV charge port located on the left flank giving away its electric propulsion.