It seems superb but it surely’ll burn a $300,000 gap in your pocket
by Brad Anderson
2 hours in the past
by Brad Anderson
Lengthy earlier than the present Jeep Wrangler-based Gladiator hit the market, the American carmaker had really already constructed a pickup badged the Gladiator between 1962 and 1988. An organization by the identify of Vigilante not too long ago bought its palms on one in all these basic vehicles and has comprehensively restored and modified it.
To carry this 1966 mannequin into the trendy age, Vigilante has outfitted it with a re-engineered chassis with modernized 4-link suspension system rocking Eibach coil springs and Fox 2.0 dampers to enhance the experience and enhance the truck’s off-roading talents. Complementing the upgraded suspension parts are new 6-piston brakes sourced from Baer in addition to new Dana axles.
Learn: 11 House owners Can’t Belief The ‘Park’ Gear In Their 2022 Jeep Gladiators
Whereas Vigilante had the Gladiator’s physique utterly faraway from the chassis, it additionally stripped every half for media blasting and restored the physique utilizing old-world warmth and quench strategies of steel shaping. The physique was additionally topic to a plasma-based metalizing course of to guard it from rusting sooner or later. It was then repainted in a surprising shade dubbed Empire Blue.
Vigilante then turned its consideration to the pickup’s engine. It’s now rocking a 6.4-liter Hemi SRT V8 engine that’s good for 485 hp and matched to a six-speed Tremec transmission. Ought to different basic Jeep Gladiator house owners need just a little further grunt, Vigilante may also set up the screaming 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 with 707 hp, though that’s most likely just a little extreme for a car like this.
The inside of the ’66 Jeep has additionally been totally up to date. For instance, there’s a new electronically-controlled speedometer, electrical home windows and door locks, in addition to a brand new audio system with Bluetooth, a JL Audio amplifier, audio system, and two subwoofers. New carpets constructed from high-end German fiber have additionally been put in.
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Shopping for a basic Jeep Gladiator from Vigilante isn’t low-cost with costs for complete builds like this beginning at an eye-watering $295,000.