Jeep Easter Eggs—What, Where, and Why?

What Are Easter Eggs?

"Easter egg" refers to a hidden message, image, or feature in any medium, including video games, movies, software…or Jeeps. The Developer of Software Development at Atari, Steve Wright, is said to have coined the term while referring to a hidden message in the game “Adventure” as an “Easter Egg.” Since then, the name has outgrown its original medium, stretching beyond digital media.

When Did Jeep Begin Incorporating Easter Eggs?

Upon the release of the redesigned Wrangler TJ in 1997, Jeep began inserting Easter eggs into its production vehicles. The first example of this phenomenon is a seven-bar grille design molded into the wiper cowl. Since the first Jeep Easter eggs, designers have opted to hide Easter eggs in various places and on countless models.

Why Do Jeep Easter Eggs Exist?

Originally, Jeep Easter eggs were implemented by lead Wrangler designer Michael Santoro. Santoro decided to make the fun miniature scavenger hunt his signature with the release of the TJ. These design elements also pay homage to past Jeep models and the brand’s impressive history, including the iconic 7-slot grille silhouettes, vintage Willys graphics, and more.

Which Jeep Models Contain Easter Eggs?

After noting the positive reception from Wrangler owners, Jeep opted to keep the trend alive and expand it to other models, including the: 

• Jeep Wrangler

• Jeep Gladiator

• Jeep Cherokee

• Jeep Grand Cherokee

• Jeep Compass

• Jeep Renegade

• Jeep Wagoneer

• Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Jeep Easter Eggs by Model

With the what and why of Jeep Easter eggs covered, let’s check out the known Easter eggs across current Jeep models. As a rule of thumb, Jeep hides Easter eggs on the windshield glass, hood cowling, accessories, infotainment displays, and more. 

Wrangler

As the original recipient of Easter eggs, the Jeep Wrangler comes loaded with hidden designs and messages.

Up front, windshields often feature an image of a vintage Jeep crawling across the black border. Additionally, the familiar 7-slot grille silhouette is found just between the wiper blades, alongside lizards and flip-flops molded into the wiper cowl as an homage to automotive journalist and notorious flip-flop-wearer Rick Péwé. 

Starting up, the Wrangler JL kicks off an Easter egg of a boot-up sequence on the infotainment display, in which a vintage Willys MB pops up on the screen alongside the words “since 1941” as an homage to the first Jeeps. 

Other Easter eggs include a spider on the gas cap, a Moab map, a T-Rex skull on factory all-weather floor mats, and Morse code spelling out “JL” beneath the power outlet in the rear cargo area.

Gladiator

Since the Jeep Gladiator JT shares several parts with the Jeep Wrangler JL, it also shares several Easter eggs. The 7-slot grille appears in several locations, including the headlights, wiper cowl, and tailgate. Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator also features flip-flops molded into the wiper cowl. 

Other Easter eggs include a small Jeep in the corner of the windshield, a similar Willys-inspired start-up sequence on the infotainment screen, and a “419” etched into the bed, referring to the zip code of Jeep’s Toledo, Ohio, manufacturing plant.

Cherokee

Though the Jeep Cherokee features some familiar easter eggs, like the Willys start-up screen, various 7-slot grille logos, and the Willys silhouette on the windshield, it also features several that are unique to the model. 

These include “Since 1941” text etched into the steering wheel, side rails sporting an aviation-inspired “NO STEP” message, and coordinates to the Rubicon Trail beneath the passenger seat on some trims.

Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee deserves a truly grand list of Easter eggs, and Jeep doesn’t disappoint. 

WK generations sport the familiar “Since 1941” message and a Willys silhouette engraved into both headlights. Current generations feature the same message engraved into the steering wheel, like the Cherokee. Also similar to the Cherokee is the “NO STEP” message on the OEM side rails. 

Like previous models, the Grand Cherokee also features a Willys Jeep integrated into the infotainment display. However, this time around, it’s integrated into the parking assist system as a 3D model. 

Jeep didn’t forget about the Grand Cherokee’s windows, either. A Willys Jeep silhouette can be found on the driver's side third-row window beside a Grand Cherokee silhouette on the passenger side.

Compass

While not a reputed off-road rig, the Jeep Compass still features its fair share of Easter eggs. On the dead pedal of automatic-transmission-equipped compasses, you’ll find Morse code spelling “Sand, Snow, Rivers, Rocks.” 

The familiar gecko reappears molded into the Compass’ wiper cowl, signifying Jeep’s ability to grip any terrain and surface. The iconic 7-slot grille also appears in several places, including floor mats, the gear selector, under the center console lid, and more.

Renegade

The smallest member of Jeep’s arsenal ironically packs the most Easter eggs, with several being unique to the model. For example, Jeep engineers designed the distinct X-patterned tail lights to mimic jerry cans, a pattern found throughout the model. X’s can also be seen found on the roof, in the cup holders, and within the headlights, alongside the iconic 7-slot grille logo. 

Incorporated into the gauge cluster is another Easter egg—a paint splotch at the engine’s redline on the tachometer. This unique design element symbolizes the game of paintball, a favorite game of several designers.

Other Easter eggs include a spider shouting “Ciao Baby!” beneath the gas filler door, a Willys Jeep silhouette on the windshield, and even a shadowy Bigfoot silhouette in the rear window.

Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer

The newly-redesigned Wagoneer Grand Wagoneer also boasts a surprising number of unique Easter eggs, including several Wagoneer silhouettes (headlights, dash vents), “MERICA” etched into the grille, and “Since 1963” text in various locations, symbolizing each model’s introduction into the Jeep lineup.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Technically speaking, the aforementioned Easter eggs are only known hidden images and messages—there's a good chance that several have yet to be found. Expect to spot several new Easter eggs as new platforms are released and model-year changes occur.

So keep your eyes peeled, keep searching, and keep on Jeepin’.