Image via Autotopia LA/YouTube
Not too long ago, old Jeep Grand Wagoneers with their faux wood panels and boxy shape were considered incredibly uncool by most people. And while not everyone is all about them, we’ve noticed there’s an increased interest in them. But they’re still not exactly fast SUVs, at least until you swap a Hellcat Redeye powertrain into one, like with this build.
Learn about the truck Jake Paul rode in at the start of the Mike Tyson fight.
If you think about it, this is quite the sleeper. After all, the builder didn’t repaint the Grand Wagoneer Plum Crazy, add some wicked wheels, and slap Hellcat Redeye badges onto the fenders to boot. Instead, the Jeep looks nicely restored but unmodified, at least as far as the body.
The first giveaway that something more is going on comes with the suspension. Slightly lifted and wearing bigger tires, one might think this Grand Wagoneer is just set up for some more gnarly trail runs, not ripping down the drag strip. You might be able to see the four-link suspension and the Baer six-piston brakes.
The Hellcat Redeye in this build isn’t from a donor car but instead is a crate engine. That means 810-horsepower in an 80’s off-road-capable mommy mobile. If that sounds insane, well it is, and we absolutely love it.
Backing that up is a Bowler 480E transmission built specifically for the Hellcat Redeye engine. Theres’s also a Dana 60 axle in the rear and a Dana 44 axle up front, so the drivetrain can handle that kind of monstrous power without problems.
What’s even more amazing is all those mods fit without touching the body at all. The Grand Wagoneers are big vehicles, so they can fit the powertrain, which often requires quite a bit of hacking and rearrangement on even classic muscle cars for proper fitment.
You need to see this Jeep restomod rip in the video, it’s really something else.
Images via Autotopia LA/YouTube
