- Vigilante’s Jeep Cherokee S restomod is powered by a monstrous 9.0-liter Viper V10.
- Delivering 825hp, the V10 is paired to a six-speed manual and an all-wheel drive system.
- Handling improvements include upgraded suspension and beefed-up braking systems.
Have you ever looked at a classic 1979 Jeep Cherokee S and asked yourself, ‘What would happen if someone shoehorned a Dodge Viper’s V10 under the hood?’ I’ll admit, the thought had never crossed my mind. However, someone at Vigilinate clearly thought it was a good idea and the Texas firm has gone ahead and made a Viper-powered Jeep. As far as wild restomods and engine swaps go, few are crazier than this.
The process of creating this bespoke Jeep was intensive. Vigilante started by stripping down the body and developing a modern chassis for the Cherokee S that could handle the V10’s horsepower and torque. It then crafted a custom wiring harness for it before lowering in the Viper engine.
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This is no ordinary Viper engine either. Vigilante has managed to source a 9.0-liter unit that’s been modified to churn out 825 hp and 750 lb-ft (1,016 Nm) of torque. This behemoth of an engine is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission which drives all four wheels through an Atlas-II transfer case and Dana axles both front and rear. There’s no word on how fast the overhauled SUV is, but Vigilante describes it as “the fastest vintage Jeep in the world.” We don’t doubt it.
Beyond the engine and transmission, the Cherokee S benefits from four-link Eibach suspension with Fox Racing shocks to drastically improve the ride. Beefed-up brakes are also featured and include six-piston calipers. Custom stainless steel manifolds have also been crafted, and a Borla muffler has been installed.
One thing we really like about this restomodded Jeep is that viewed from the outside, it doesn’t look much different than any other 1979 Cherokee. Sure, it’s now rocking a special blue and white paint scheme, but it doesn’t feature any tacky body add-ons like so many others. Even the new wheels look fitting for a vehicle from the 1970s.
Some modern touches have been made to the cabin. These include a modern climate control system, a Bluetooth audio system, and newly-trimmed leather components.
The company hasn’t said how much the owner of this Jeep paid for the build, but we do know that even the most basic Vigilante builds start at $295,000.
