Vigilante releases stunning 1977 Jeep Cherokee S built to dominate in the modern era

JOHNSON CITY, TX (May 30, 2023)

Expert Jeep-Building Firm Unveils Vintage-Style Cherokee Skillfully Combining Modern Crate HEMI Power, Improved Suspension with Understated Analog Interior Design

Meticulous exterior improvements and modern mechanical upgrades in a state-of-the art restoration that celebrates the Jeep Heritage and provides premium comfort and reliability

U.S based Jeep restoration company VIGILANTE is regarded as the pioneer in the classic Jeep restoration field

VIGILANTE recently designed an advanced chassis to rebuild the original Jeep Grand Wagoneer with phenomenal power
The Jeep’s original aesthetics are maintained, but reengineered on a modern platform
The original Jeep chassis was not a viable option to handle 485 to 1000 horsepower, so VIGILANTE created a new and stronger one from scratch
The completely reengineered platform (chassis, suspension, brakes) can handle the extra power of HEMI engines
The vintage Jeeps’ handling, braking, and overall performance is comparable to that of a modern SUV
Some vehicles are ready for delivery. Or customers can choose the model, specifications, and engine that best fit their needs.
Premium modern performance:

JOHNSON CITY, TX (May 30, 2023) – Globally renowned as the leaders in modernizing vintage-era Jeep’s and imbuing them with world-class drivability and bespoke additions throughout, Vigilante is proud to roll out the builder’s newest revelation: a custom 1977 Cherokee S. Breathing new life into one of the most timeless vehicles of the era, the team at Vigilante placed a major emphasis on blending Jeep’s original design aesthetic with the best in today’s modern driving components to create a new rig that can both dominate on a dirt trail and easily handle highway driving conditions.

“Vigilante strives to not affect the soul of a vehicle’s original design, and our new 1977 Cherokee S is another pristine example of this. Our team goes to extreme lengths to ensure our customers are getting an authentic Jeep driving experience every time. While we do provide high-level modifications and improvements to make these rigs suitable for modern driving conditions, we ensure our customers still feel like they’re getting behind the wheel of an iconic 70’s-era Jeep,”

— comments Vigilante Co-Founder and CFO Rachel van Doveren

“This custom Cherokee is special for many reasons, but none more than the fact that it looks near-original to how it did in the 1970’s. The client requested minimal technology inside of the actual Cherokee body, so we kept this as close as possible to the original 1977 design. Our vehicles transport clients back to another era entirely, where they first discovered their passion for the legendary Jeep brand.”

Vigilante outfitted the custom four-door Cherokee S with 485 horsepower via a 392 HEMI SRT-8 mated to a Bowler Performance 4L80E automatic transmission. Stopping power was also vastly improved with Baer Vigilante six-piston brakes throughout. Improving the drivability was also paramount to Vigilante’s customization work, as the Texas restoration firm implemented a Front Dana 44 front axle and Rear Dana 60 along with Eibach coils and adjustable Fox Racing shocks to replace the original leaf spring suspension. An Advance Adapter Atlas II transfer case is both competition-proven and built to excel on the highway, making it an ideal fit for all Vigilante vehicles while maintaining 4-wheel drive capability. Riding on 17x9’’ Vigilante signature wheels machined out of billet aluminum, the custom Cherokee S is built to overcome nearly any obstacles or terrain in its path, yet look authentic.

With an exterior outfitted in a sleek Midnight Blue colorway, the Vigilante Cherokee S also stands out due to the absence of the traditional wood grain paneling that most Wagoneer’s of the era adorned, instead replaced by a Glacier White stripe running alongside the vehicle. Inside the custom Cherokee S, a slate Gray interior awaits with Vigilante integrating a stunning floral design embossed and pressed into the leather seats and door panels by Moore & Giles, creating an elegant, retro design. The Vigilante Cherokee S offers two seats in the front along with a center console in the middle, while the rear seats three comfortably. One of the few interior modernizations that Vigilante included was the use of three-point modern seatbelts for added safety, though these were designed to look near-original.

Based on client preference, Vigilante designed the Cherokee S to incorporate a minimal use of modern electronics inside the vehicle. Designed to mirror the 1977 Cherokee’s original analog design, Vigilante expertly integrated hand-crank windows and manual locks. No electronic emergency brake was added to this build either, keeping with the analog theme. Even the Cherokee’s digital gauges and clock are discreetly blended in to look as close to original as possible while displaying all pertinent information.

Vigilante further distinguishes this Jeep with its signature tailgate emblem, swapping out the original ‘Cherokee’ branding with a new CNC’d aluminum emblem spelling out “VIGILANTE”. Other subtle custom badging includes Vigilante’s mountain lion logo that discreetly blends into the dash, while the external mirrors are fully CNC’d out of billet aluminum with a discreet Vigilante logo, as well. While the Cherokee’s original side-view mirrors were notorious for rattling and shaking, Vigilante went to great lengths to ensure their custom mirrors fit perfectly and remain extremely steady at all times.

Vigilante specializes in full-size vintage Jeep models originally sold between 1963 to 1991, including the Cherokee, Wagoneer, and J-Truck (Gladiator) models. With more than 20 years of experience fully restoring more than 50 classic Jeeps via parent company JeepHeritage, Vigilante was launched as a way to maintain the cherished Jeep tradition while incorporating reliable modern drivetrains. Vigilante builds serve as the next logical step in terms of restomod advancement for vintage Jeeps.

“No other builders understand the deep nuances and history of Jeep at the same level of the Vigilante crew. Our team is pushing the boundaries of what many thought was possible in a Jeep restomod, and that stems from our team’s shared passion for these vehicles”

— continues Daniel van Doveren

“Over time, our company has become a one-stop solution for all Jeep restoration needs, and we have the ability to rebuild and introduce an entirely new chassis so our Vigilante customs can accommodate the performance demands of modern powertrains. Our customers are investing in a quality, brand-new driving experience that has all of the fundamental old-school characteristics of the original vehicle. Getting behind the wheel of a Vigilante Jeep makes both driver and passenger feel like they are driving in their living room. These are the special experiences we seek to create for our clients, and it’s the exact type of work that our team takes pride in.”

Restored in Johnson City, Texas, the VIGILANTE Jeeps – completed or customizable - can be seen at the showroom now, or on the inventory page of their website.

VIGILANTE’s Best-in-class Proprietary Platform

The idea of a vintage vehicle rebuilt to perfection is enticing, but finding such a vehicle is rare. VIGILANTE understands the emotional connection one can have with their vintage Jeeps and has taken it upon itself to polish and present classic Jeeps in their original form.

VIGILANTE has 20 years of experience in the Jeep restoration field through its parent company Jeep Heritage. What drove the creation of the subsidiary VIGILANTE was the desire to go beyond a classic restoration: VIGILANTE focuses on completely reengineering the Jeep’s frame and performance while keeping the Jeep’s vintage aesthetics.

“We wanted to maintain the iconic design of Brook Stevens but dial up the spice to suit our needs.”
said Daniel van Doveren, CEO of VIGILANTE.

The company is a one-stop solution for all Jeep restoration needs. Not only do they beautify the exterior and interior, they also rebuild the entire chassis, so it can withstand the forces of modern powertrains. It takes meticulous research and hours of hard work to install a contemporary engine into a classic vehicle, but they take pride in being experts in such work.

“The creation of this platform was a real challenge. It was complex and long, but the perseverance paid off. Thousands of hours of work were necessary and have been rewarded with this exceptional result that we are proud to offer through VIGILANTE”

said Daniel van Doveren, CEO of VIGILANTE.

The VIGILANTE engineers and designers use modern simulation software programs to design the perfect mix between vintage soul and modern performance for their restored SUVs. The company specializes in rebuilding classic Jeep SUVs, especially those that Jeep produced between 1964 and 1991 (the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wagoneer, and the Jeep J-Truck).

The aforementioned Jeeps are rebuilt on a bespoke chassis that is fitted with modern suspension, brakes and engines. When it comes to SUVs, power is everything. That’s why VIGILANTE fit their Jeeps with HEMI engines – the same ones that are found in today's Trackhawk and Grand Cherokee SRT variants.

The company stays true to the classic design elements, and ensures it does not change anything that would alter the shape and feel of the vehicle.

VIGILANTE’s Restoration Process

VIGILANTE takes pride in providing the best-in-class service. Its workers, designers, and engineers work closely together to design the best vintage Jeep. First, the staff strips off everything from the vehicle and searches for rust and damage on the body. The issues are quickly resolved and treated to prevent future rust. Then, they paint the vehicle from the ground-up. Every inch is meticulously covered from top to bottom. New parts are added and the vehicle is re-assembled with extra care.

Price and Other Details

The VIGILANTE Jeep cherokee starts at $295,000. That figure can go up if the more powerful engines are selected: the 707 hp supercharged V8 powertrain and the larger 426 cubic inch V8 are optional.