My Complete Easter Egg Hunt Guide
For years, I've heard Jeep owners talk about Easter Eggs.
Some people are obsessed with finding them.
Others insist half of them aren't actually Easter Eggs.
After owning multiple Wranglers and spending the last several weeks conducting my own Easter Egg Hunt on Purple Reign, my 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, I've discovered one thing:
The hunt is fun.
The debate is even more fun.
Today I'm sharing every Easter Egg, hidden detail, heritage tribute, and design feature I found on my 2023 JL Rubicon.
Quick Answer: What Are Jeep Easter Eggs?
Jeep Easter Eggs are intentional design details, hidden graphics, heritage tributes, or fun surprises incorporated into Jeep vehicles by designers. The first widely recognized Jeep Easter Egg appeared on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ when designer Michael Santoro incorporated a hidden seven-slot grille design into the cowl. Today, Jeep Easter Eggs include hidden Willys Jeeps, grille references, historical tributes, startup screens, and other design details throughout the vehicle.
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My Jeep Easter Egg Journey
My Easter Egg obsession didn't start with my JL.
It started eight years ago with my 2015 JK Rubicon.
While creating my very first Jeep Easter Egg video, I noticed something that most people overlooked. The layout of the buttons and knobs on the center stack resembled Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille.
Years later, after purchasing Purple Reign, my 2023 JL Rubicon, I decided to see how many Easter Eggs and hidden details I could find.
What started as a simple search turned into a full-blown scavenger hunt.
What Was the First Jeep Easter Egg?
Most Jeep historians and enthusiasts trace the first Jeep Easter Egg back to the 1997 Wrangler TJ.
Designer Michael Santoro incorporated a subtle seven-slot grille shape into the cowl near the windshield as a tribute to Jeep heritage.
At the time, nobody knew they were witnessing the beginning of what would become one of Jeep's most beloved traditions.
Today, Jeep owners actively search for Easter Eggs in every new model.
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| One of Jeep's hidden Easter eggs is tucked into the windshield cowl. |
My 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Easter Egg Hunt
The Willys Jeep Hidden on the Wheel
One of the easiest Easter Eggs to find is the tiny Willys Jeep hidden in the wheel.
Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
This little Willys pays tribute to Jeep's military roots and is one of the most recognizable Easter Eggs found on modern Wranglers.
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| Willys Jeep inside the Wrangler's wheel |
The Willys Jeep on the Shifter
Another Willys silhouette appears on the shift knob.
This is one of my favorites because every time you shift gears you're reminded of where Jeep's story began.
The original Willys MB helped define the Jeep brand, and this small tribute connects today's Rubicon to its historic roots.
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| The classic Willys Jeep engraved on the top of the shift knob |
The Seven-Slot Grille Hidden in the Tail Light
This is probably the most famous JL Easter Egg.
Look closely at the rear tail light and you'll find Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille molded into the lens.
Many owners drive their Jeep for years before noticing it.
Once someone points it out, it's impossible to miss.
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| Hidden Seven-Slot Grille |
The JL Badge Hidden in the Cargo Area
While exploring the rear cargo area, I discovered a small JL logo molded into the plastic trim.
At first glance, it doesn't seem like much.
It's not flashy.
It's not obvious.
It's simply a subtle nod to the JL generation Wrangler.
But Jeep didn't stop there.
Just beneath the JL logo is a row of Morse code. When translated, it spells "JL" another clever hidden detail that most owners never notice.
These subtle touches are what make hunting for Jeep Easter eggs so much fun. The more closely you look, the more surprises you'll find hidden throughout your Wrangler.
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| One of the most overlooked Jeep Easter eggs hidden in the rear cargo area |
The Windshield Cowl and Seven-Slot Heritage
Many Jeep enthusiasts point to the cowl near the windshield as a continuation of the original TJ Easter Egg tradition.
The design contains subtle references to Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille.
It's another example of Jeep designers incorporating heritage into modern Wranglers.
Jeep Since 1941 Startup Screen
Every time I start Purple Reign, the infotainment screen displays "Jeep Since 1941."
Some owners consider this branding.
Others call it an Easter Egg.
Regardless of what label you use, it serves as a reminder that Jeep's history stretches back more than eight decades.
Rubicon Startup Screen
Rubicon owners receive a unique startup graphic featuring the front of a Rubicon.
It's not hidden, but it is a fun detail specific to Rubicon models.
The Steering Wheel Heritage Tribute
One detail many owners overlook is the steering wheel itself.
The three raised sections surrounding the Jeep logo are believed to be inspired by steering wheel designs used on early Willys Jeeps.
This is where the Easter Egg debate starts getting interesting.
Is it an Easter Egg?
Or simply a design tribute?
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| Tribute to Willys Steering Wheel |
The Tailgate Information Placard
This may be the most debated Jeep Easter Egg on the internet.
The tailgate placard contains wheelbase measurements, overall vehicle dimensions, water fording depths, manufacturing information, and Jeep heritage details.
Some Jeep owners insist it isn't an Easter Egg because it's visible and informative.
Others argue it absolutely is because Jeep intentionally created a heritage-inspired information plate that most owners never pay attention to.
Personally?
I think it can be both.
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| Showcases Jeep's off-road heritage |
The Door Hinge Torx Size
One detail I had never noticed before is that Jeep molded the Torx size directly into the door hinge.
Need to remove your doors?
The information is right there.
Functional?
Absolutely.
Easter Egg?
That's where the debate begins.
The Fuel Door
Even the fuel door contains Jeep branding molded into the inside of the cap.
It's a small detail that many owners never notice.
Whether you consider it an Easter Egg or simply branding probably depends on your definition.
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| Jeep Wrangler Fuel Door with Jeep Logo |
The Cup Holder Surprise
One thing I expected to find was missing.
On my 2015 JK Rubicon, the cup holders featured seven slots that resembled Jeep's grille.
The JL cup holder design changed because Jeep incorporated a location for the key fob.
No seven-slot grille here.
Sometimes the Easter Egg hunt is just as much about finding what's different as it is finding what's hidden.
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| JL Wrangler cup holder |
What Actually Qualifies as a Jeep Easter Egg?
This is where Jeep owners start arguing.
Some believe an Easter Egg must be:
- Hidden
- Difficult to find
- Non-functional
- Intentionally placed as a surprise
Others include:
- Historical tributes
- Heritage references
- Willys silhouettes
- Seven-slot grille designs
- Special startup graphics
- Unique model-specific details
And that's why you see so much disagreement online.
Someone says the Willys on the windshield isn't an Easter Egg.
Someone else says it is.
Someone says the tailgate placard is just information.
Someone else says it's a heritage tribute.
Who gets to decide?
Honestly, I'm not sure anyone does.
Does It Really Matter?
After researching Jeep Easter Eggs, digging through forums, and spending way too much time staring at my Wrangler, I've come to a simple conclusion.
The point isn't whether every hidden detail meets someone's definition of an Easter Egg.
The point is that Jeep designers intentionally filled these vehicles with nods to Jeep history.
They reward curious owners.
They encourage us to look closer.
And they give Jeep enthusiasts something fun to talk about.
Whether you call them Easter Eggs, design tributes, hidden details, or heritage references, they're part of what makes owning a Jeep different.
And once you start looking for them, you'll never stop finding them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeep Easter Eggs
What was the first Jeep Easter Egg?
Most Jeep enthusiasts consider the hidden seven-slot grille incorporated into the cowl of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ to be the first official Jeep Easter Egg.
Who created the first Jeep Easter Egg?
The first widely recognized Jeep Easter Egg is credited to Jeep designer Michael Santoro.
Are Easter Eggs found in every Jeep Wrangler?
Most modern Jeep Wranglers contain multiple Easter Eggs, though the number varies by model year and trim level.
Is the Willys Jeep on the windshield an Easter Egg?
Many Jeep owners consider it an Easter Egg because it is an intentional tribute to Jeep heritage. Others classify it as a design tribute.
Is the JL tailgate placard an Easter Egg?
There is no universal agreement. Some owners consider it an Easter Egg while others view it as an informational heritage plate.
Why does Jeep hide Easter Eggs?
Jeep designers use Easter Eggs to celebrate Jeep history, honor the Willys Jeep, connect generations of Wranglers, and create fun discoveries for owners.
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Watch Jeep Momma's First Easter Egg Video (2017)
Final Thoughts
My Easter Egg Hunt started with a simple goal: find hidden details in my 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Instead, it became a lesson in Jeep history.
The more I looked, the more details I found.
And the more I found, the more I realized the real fun isn't discovering the Easter Eggs.
It's debating what qualifies as one.
More Jeep Wrangler Guides
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Written by Tammy "Jeep Momma" Forsyth - a Jeep Wrangler owner, off-road enthusiast, and content creator who has explored trails across Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, and beyond. Through Jeep Momma, she shares firsthand Wrangler ownership experiences, trail guides, DIY modifications, camping setups, and Jeep community stories to help new and experienced Jeep owners get more from their adventures.
👉About Jeep Momma
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