While always cool, aggressive restomods featuring 3D-printed carbon fiber bodies and/or all-electric powertrain swaps can detach a donor vehicle from its soul. Through carefully considered restoration and upgrades, Vigilante 4×4 ensures the souls of its badass builds remain firmly intact.
The Johnson City, Texas-based customizer specializes in classic Jeep Wagoneer and Cherokees built on the original SJ platform—the forerunners of the luxury SUV segment that enjoyed a seldom-matched production run of nearly 30 years. This one, based on a 1979, was created by Vigilante 4×4 “to honor the elegance of the storied SJ platform while pushing it into a new realm of contemporary sophistication.”
On both vestments and vehicles, no color is more sophisticated than black, especially when compared to the brown, green, and other earth tones that are burned into the memories of those who remember the original Wagoneer. The exterior received a comprehensive murdered-out makeover, including the typically chrome elements. Even the signature woodgrain siding was also reworked in layered gray and black tones using the Japanese Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban) technique, which is meant to add visual depth to charred wood.
Beyond the translucent smoked glass—a thoughtful touch that helps preserve the exterior’s monochromatic palette—is a rich interior clad in whiskey-brown leather and signature corduroy, one of many nostalgic elements. Period-correct window cranks are present, but assisted by electric motors. The gauges and steering wheel themselves blend new displays and ergonomics with original designs.
Most exquisitely, there’s a 6.7-liter MOPAR 392 HEMI V8 under the hood that sends 485 horsepower through a Bowler four-speed automatic. This is perhaps one of the most thoughtful powertrain modernizations ever seen in a restomod—the Jeep Wagoneer SJ was the first 4×4 to offer an automatic transmission, and it was mated to an AMC 327 5.4-liter V8—nicknamed “Vigilante” by Jeep, surely inspiring Vigilante 4×4’s name.
“This truck represents everything Vigilante stands for today,” said Vigilante founder Daniel van Doveren. “It’s about respecting an icon while radically improving how it looks, drives, and feels. The engineering is modern, the craftsmanship is world-class, and the design is intentionally restrained. This Wagoneer is special because it doesn’t chase attention, but rather it commands respect from the moment you see it.”
This blacked-out build is one-of-one for now, but you can commission your own from Vigilante from $295,000.
