Jeep Easter Eggs: What Are They & How To Find Them
Source: Pixabay
Jeep has been building vehicles with Easter eggs since the 1990s. The First Jeep Easter egg appeared in the 1997 Wrangler TJ with a seven-bar grille icon embedded in the cowl. Since then, Jeep’s use of Easter eggs has increased significantly. Designers have gotten creative, adding these hidden messages in headlights, floor mats, and more obscure places.
Easter eggs help bring a touch of whimsy, adding the spirit of fun and adventure conveyed by Jeep products. Owners enjoy the challenge of finding these discrete markings, and it’s another way of bonding with fellow Jeep enthusiasts.
The company is clever because its Easter eggs pay homage to Jeep’s rich history. These undercover messages offer reminders of storied Jeep vehicles or key Jeep moments. For example, the outline of a classic Willys Jeep pays tribute to the original World War II vehicle that gave birth to the brand.
Lastly, Jeep Easter eggs help the automaker connect with its customers. These subtle ways show that Jeep doesn’t take itself too seriously.
With Easter eggs appearing on more and more Jeeps, we thought it was an ideal time to highlight some of these examples. Let’s explore what some owners have shared on social media.
Jeep Easter Eggs: Wrangler
Arguably, no vehicle represents the Jeep brand better than the Wrangler. It’s a modern interpretation of the original CJ line and a direct descendant of the first Jeep. With removable doors and roofs, the Wrangler embraces adventure and a carefree lifestyle that is sometimes captured in Jeep Easter eggs.
TV host and car show enthusiast Chris Jacobs (@chrisjacobs70) took to Instagram to highlight all the hidden messages that Jeep added to a bright blue Wrangler Rubicon. Examples include a pair of flip-flops on the cowl and “Louie” and “Ralf” characters on the tail light trim to indicate the left and right sides. At the same time, the tail lamps have an outline of the seven-slot Jeep grille with headlights.
Meanwhile, Rogers Dodge (@rogersdodge), an Idaho car dealer, showed off the subtle profile of an original Willys Jeep at the base of a Wrangler’s windshield.
OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED
You won’t realize how outdated other car searching apps are until you try the CoPilot car shopping app. CoPilot does the hard work for you by searching all of the listings in your area and intelligently creating a personalized list of the best buys in the area that match what you’re looking for.
Jeep Easter Eggs: Gladiator
The Jeep pickup truck dates back to the 1940s but didn’t get the attention of its SUV stable mates. In the 1980s, the company launched the Scrambler, based on the CJ, to rekindle interest in a Jeep with a cargo bed. Debuting in 2020, the Gladiator followed a similar path by sharing many components with the Wrangler.
One TikTok user, @xoconniepeters, takes advantage of the platform’s quick video format to buzz through the long list of Easter Eggs discovered on a Jeep Gladiator. Highlights include a front-view outline on the driver display screen during startup and off-road graphics on the infotainment screen.
There are other unique touches, like dinosaurs on the front splash mats, a “419” on the cargo bed (the Ohio area code home to the Jeep factory), and a Gladiator graphic on the shift knob.
Outside, there’s a profile of a Willys Jeep on each wheel, a tool-size indicator on the door hinges (as a reminder during door removal), and the sandals on the cowl.
@xoconniepeters I found 11 Easter Eggs on the Jeep Gladiator. Are there more? #jeepgladiator #offroad #eastereggs ♬ Pump Up The Jam - The Hit Crew
Jeep Easter Eggs: Renegade
Purists may balk at calling the subcompact Renegade a Jeep because it comes from Italy and shares many components with the Fiat 500X. However, it proudly wears a Jeep badge and serves as the entry point into the brand. The automaker silenced some critics by axing the front-wheel drive version of the Renegade. All trims now come only with all-wheel drive.
TikTik user @chapmanyuma explains the difficulty of finding Easter eggs on their Renegade. However, a spider was discovered under the fuel filler door during a gas station stop. Possibly as a nod to the vehicle’s Italian origins, the spider is complemented by a “Ciao Baby!” comment.
@chapmanyuma Ready for an eastereggs hunt!? #Jeep #easteregg #spider #secrets #jeeprenegade #yuma #arizona ♬ original sound - Jackie
Insurance app Get Jerry (@thejerryapp) gets in on the Renegade Easter Egg action by calling attention to the distinctive “X” markings on the taillights and roof. The X is reminiscent of the five-gallon “jerry” cans (get it?) that became prominent in World War II. Jerry was Allied slang for German troops.
@thejerryapp Did you know all of these? 🤔 #jeep #jeeplife #easteregg #eastereggs #thejerryapp ♬ original sound - thejerryapp
THE BEST CARS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Whether you’re squeezing into a tight campus parking spot or hauling ten loads of laundry back home, these best cars for college students will get you, your friends, and your stuff where you’re going.
Jeep Easter Eggs: Compass
The original Jeep Compass was launched in 2007 as a low-budget crossover with modest off-road capabilities. A decade later, the company introduced the second generation with styling borrowed from the Jeep Grand Cherokee and a stretched platform based on the Renegade’s underpinnings. Detractors may not believe the Compass to be a real Jeep, but designers thought otherwise for the second-gen Compass. This vehicle has an abundance of Jeep Easter eggs.
One TikToker, Schlepperman (@schlepperman), examined all the hidden goodies in a newer Compass.
He first calls out the Jeep seven-slot grille and headlight outline embedded onto the vehicle’s headlamps. Other exterior Easter eggs include a gecko hiding underneath a windshield wiper and a Willys Jeep icon on the windshield.
Inside, the driver’s footwell features a Morse code-emblazoned message mentioning “snow, sand, mud, rock.” There’s also a Jeep emblem molded into the liftgate door, cargo area air vents shaped like an American flag, and a “Nessie” Loch Ness monster graphic on the rear glass.
@schlepperman Keep Compass Easter Eggs #jeep #jeeplife #compass #fyp #foryoupage ♬ Drive Forever - Remix - Sergio Valentino
Jeep Easter Eggs: Cherokee
The Cherokee nameplate dates back to the 1970s but was recently discontinued (2023 is the last model year). In its most recent form, the fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee offered a step up from the Compass. And like most Jeeps, the newer Cherokees have their share of Easter Eggs.
Via YouTube, @CarGuy11 highlights these secret treasures. Underneath the front passenger seat cushion is a map of the Rubicon Trail, complete with compass waypoints. In the cargo area, bag hooks are adorned with the Jeep grille. At the same time, a “since 1941” tag is embedded into the steering wheel.
The Willys Jeep makes another appearance on the Cherokee, also positioned at the base of the windshield. In addition, there’s a Jeep grille molded into the decorative plastic underneath the hood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly are Jeep Easter eggs?
A: Jeep Easter eggs are hidden design elements, symbols, or images cleverly tucked away in various parts of Jeep vehicles. These whimsical details pay homage to Jeep’s rich history, showcase the brand’s playful side, and reward observant owners with delightful surprises.
Q: When did Jeep start including Easter eggs in their vehicles?
A: The tradition of Jeep Easter eggs began in 1997 with the release of the Wrangler TJ. Michael Santoro, the designer behind this model, snuck in a tiny Jeep grille design on the cowl, kickstarting a beloved tradition that has since become a hallmark of Jeep vehicles.
Q: Are Easter eggs found in all Jeep models?
A: While Easter eggs are most commonly associated with the Wrangler, you can find these hidden gems across the entire Jeep lineup. From the compact Renegade to the luxurious Grand Cherokee, each model boasts its own set of unique and creative Easter eggs waiting to be discovered.
Q: Do Jeep Easter eggs serve any practical purpose?
A: Jeep Easter eggs are designed for fun and brand engagement, but some serve practical purposes. For instance, the “Easter Jeep Safari” topographic map found in some models can be used as a real trail guide. However, most Easter eggs are purely decorative, adding a touch of whimsy and personality to your Jeep.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
