JOHNSON CITY, TX (May 30, 2023) – Fueled by an endless passion for vintage Jeep trucks and decades of experience in working on classic examples of the legendary overlanding vehicles constructed between the 1960’s and 1980’s, JeepHeritage has made a name for themselves by producing the finest Jeep restorations in the world. Known for seamlessly blending Jeep’s original aesthetics with touches of modern upgrades, JeepHeritage is proud to breathe new life into one of the most sought-after Jeep models from the 1980’s with a stunning 1981 J-10 Honcho Sportside restoration. Designed to celebrate Jeep’s original design philosophy and capabilities, JeepHeritage delivers an elevated eighties-era Honcho that is sure to excite and capture the attention of enthusiasts across the globe.

JeepHeritage’s 1981 Jeep J-10 Honcho Sportside has been expertly restored to “stage one” restoration standards and includes impressive upgrades that make it perfectly suited for modern-day driving. JeepHeritage began this restoration with a complete stripdown to the bare frame. The frame was then sandblasted, galvanized, and powder coated to protect the metal and protect against future rusting.

JeepHeritage then installed a powerful AMC 401 engine, which was the largest option made by AMC. The vehicle was also given a six-inch suspension lift in the front and four-inch lift in the rear to accommodate Goodyear 37-inch MTR tires. Due to the lack of availability for 37-inch tires in modern times, JeepHeritage updated the Honcho to premium BF Goodrich All-Terrain 35x12.50R15 tires to ensure that the toughest terrains and harshest weather conditions can be tackled with confidence. For even better driving and handling capabilities, JeepHeritage incorporated a multipoint fuel injection. JeepHeritage also incorporated a full stainless steel exhaust from front to back to create an impressive engine rumble at all times. New versions of the J-10 Honcho’s original stock bumpers and grille were also tracked down and implemented by the JeepHeritage team, showing the great lengths their team is willing to go to create the perfect restoration for any enthusiast or collector.

JeepHeritage also left accents of the Laredo-style interior untouched and reupholstered every surface to the highest standard. Top-quality black and gray leather covers the dashboard, high bucket seats, arm rests, and door panels. A Sirius Bluetooth sound system was also incorporated to further elevate the driving experience. 

Priced at $145,000 and including hundreds of hours of intricate restoration work, this one-of-a-kind J-10 Honcho sports a fresh Firecracker Red paint job with yellow and orange side detailing. With around 35,000 miles, JeepHeritage’s creation can be made available within short order with full documentation to accompany this world-class truck upon purchase.

For more information on JeepHeritage’s 1981 J-10 Honcho Sportside and to see all of their available custom Jeep restoration builds, please visit www.jeepheritage.com or call (832) 475-1822.

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.

“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.”

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.