Just when it seemed like interest in the restomod scene was waning a tad, so North America comes to the rescue. Beautifully redone Porsches, EV swaps and overhauled Range Rovers almost feel a bit passé now so many have been done; we haven’t seen many old Jeep Cherokee restomods, however. And none at all with a 9.0-litre V10.
This latest monster is the work of Vigilante 4x4, well known Jeep restomodders out of Texas. Typically its swaps use Hemi power, including the supercharged versions, for its Wagoneer, Cherokee and J-Truck builds. This time, however, something a little more potent has been commissioned: the Viper V10. Not just any old 8.0- or 8.3-litre, either, as was standard fit across the generations, but a 9.0-litre variant from Viper specialists Prefix. Its nice, round 550 cubic inches (!) is achieved with a new Callies billet crank and boasts a whole heap of forged internals as well. While remaining pump gas friendly. It’d be a preposterous engine for anything, let alone a 45-year-old Jeep, but that’s what Vigilante has done. And it looks brilliant - perfect fit, in fact.
The engine is paired to a six-speed manual, with all 825hp and 750lb ft reaching the road (or dirt, or snow) via an Atlas II transfer case and Dana axles. It’s stopped by six-piston Baer brake calipers and suspended by Eibach springs and Fox Racing dampers; the Cherokee is surely still going to be a wild ride, but perhaps not completely uncontrollable.
That’s assuming the owner wants to drive it, of course, because there’s probably going to be a lot to love about just admiring Vigilante’s work. Thousands of hours are spent stripping and scanning a donor car to ensure that no structural work is required, before the modernisation begins. Seems kinda amazing that this wouldn’t require some serious reinforcement to contain the V10’s muscle, but there we are. All the panels are said to be original. As well as the wonderful new paint job (Frosted Glass Blue and Stratus White), the Cherokee gets additional soundproofing to keep the V10 drawl at an agreeable level, reupholstered and resprung seats, a Bluetooth stereo and modern climate control. It’s a glorious-looking cabin.
Vigilante, perhaps understandably, reckons this is the fastest classic Jeep in the world. “This 1979 Cherokee S with a Viper V10 is the result of countless hours of design, engineering, fabrication, paint, and so much more. It's a true labour of love, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another team around the globe who has as much knowledge and experience working in Jeep restoration and modification as we have here at Vigilante. We encourage all Vigilante customers to think big when designing their dream Vigilante Jeep, and the Viper V10 Cherokee is our latest example of pushing the boundaries of what a classic Jeep can do: said Daniel van Doveren, co-founder and CEO. Impressive, right?
Furthermore, while this example is a one-off, Vigilante will build another just the same. It lists prices for all its work on the website (don’t click unless you’ve a spare half hour), where the 9.0-litre engine option is there alongside the 485hp 6.4 V8 and pair of supercharged 6.2s (standard 707hp Hellcat or 810hp Redeye spec) as part of the Vigilante 4x4 premium restomod spec. Pay your money - all $295,000 of it - take your choice…
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