The Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender aren’t the only classic SUVs finding new life.
Vigilante has just unveiled a stunning restomod based on the 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The rugged people hauler has received a series of modern-day upgrades, including a massive Hemi V-8, that turn it into a high-riding beast.
The Wagoneer helped pioneer the luxury SUV segment when it was introduced in 1963. The vehicle, which had a station wagon-style body, was nothing like the other 4x4s being produced by Jeep, then owned by Kaiser, and the Big Three automakers. The model may have offered more comfort and versatility, but it wasn’t a hit initially. Still, it sold enough to remain in production until 1991. The vehicle remained virtually unchanged during those 28 years, though it did gain its trademark wood-grain side panels in 1971 and had its name changed to the Grand Wagoneer in 1984.
Inside Vigilante’s 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer restomod
Vigilante
Vigilante’s Grand Wagoneer looks almost entirely stock at a glance. A closer inspection reveals how the Johnson City, Texas-based shop has brought the SUV into the 21st Century. The exterior was stripped down to bare metal and then repainted in a rich red meant to highlight the color of it fully recreated wood panels. The vehicle’s ride height was also given a boost so that the vehicle looks a little more like today’s 4x4s.
The SUV’s interior also looks much the same as it would have in 1988. Vigilante, which says it draws on “Rolls-Royce artisans” for inspiration, has tried to recreate the original look with better parts and material. The driver’s cockpit is equipped with new gauges designed to look stock while the rest of the cabin is covered in a mixture of premium grain leathers and sheepskin hide. The seats have also been fully refurbished and a modern climate control system has been installed.
The supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat Redeye V-8
Vigilante
The biggest change can be found under the hood, though. Vigilante has fitted its Grand Wagoneer with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat Redeye V-8 that churns out an astonishing 807 horses and 717 ft lbs of twist. That’s a whole lot more grunt than the 144 hp produced by the original Grand Wagoneer’s 5.9-liter V-8. Other mechanical upgrades include a four-speed-speed Bowler 4L80E automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels, a Atlas-II transfer case, and Dana 44/Dana 60 Currie Enterprise axles. The SUV’s 4-link Eibach coil suspension also features Fox Racing shocks for added comfort and handling on- or off-road.
Vigilante is currently taking orders for the Grand Wagoneer restomod. Expect to spend big on the updated 4×4, though. The build starts at $385,000, which is nearly $300,000 more than the cost of a base-model 2024 Grand Wagoneer.
