Wrangler Gets Viper's V10 Engine Swap

Snake Bitten

For years, Jeep fans begged and pleaded with the brand to stuff a V8 into the Wrangler. It finally obliged with the Rubicon 392, a fantastic yet pricey machine. But prior to that, quite a few people were already stuffing V8s of all sorts in the legendary off-roader, though arguably none can compete with this Viper V10-powered Wrangler that recently popped up for sale at Hemmings.

Photos: Hemmings

Enticing Creation

As most are well aware, Dodge stuffed the Viper's V10 in the Ram pickup back in 2004, creating a wild machine known as the Ram SRT-10. But we can't imagine anyone in the automaker's boardrooms back then considering doing the same thing to the Wrangler, though the result of that is a truly mad, truly cool machine.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

Ram Sourced

This particular build started life as a 2005 Wrangler Unlimited, which features an additional 10 inches of wheelbase that were needed to stuff that big 8.3-liter V10 underhood. The engine itself came from a Ram SRT-10, and like the Wrangler, only has around 32k miles on it. There's no manual transmission behind it, sadly, but rather, a 48RE 4-speed automatic gearbox.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

Like OEM

The seller notes that all this work was done professionally by Burnsville Auto Body and Off-Road, so it looks and drives like an OEM vehicle would. The Jeep is estimated to now enjoy around 500 horsepower, which is plenty. The powerplant even bears the signature of Viper chief engineer, Dick Winkles, which is a nice touch.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

Other Upgrades

Of course, the seller didn't just stuff a V10 in this Wrangler and call it a day. The SUV has also received a bevy of drivetrain and suspension upgrades including a custom-built 241 RockTrac transfer case, a Currie 9-inch Ford front axle, a Currie Iron Jack 3 Dana 60 rear axle with 35-spline axles, 4.56:1 gearing, and Tom Woods 1350 U-joints.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

Sleeper?

On the outside, one would be hard-pressed to tell what's going on underneath, as this Wrangler's only clues include SRT10 badges, Viper brake calipers, and a custom vented hood. Otherwise, it just looks like a modified Wrangler, with an 8-inch lift, Super Lift long-arm suspension, and Pro Comp wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson Baja TZ tires.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

Proper Bargain

The seller dumped six figures into this Jeep making it one of the coolest around, but the amazing one-off ride wound up selling for a mere $47k. Thus, for around the price of an average new Wrangler, the new owner can enjoy dropping their right foot and shocking everyone at a reasonable distance with this Jeep's exotic exhaust notes.

Photos: Hemmings

>>Join the conversation about this Viper-powered Wrangler right here in JK-Form.com.

To see a list of all the mods done to this CJ and the rest of the awesome pics of it, click here.