Hell-Raising Wrangler

This Hellcat Hemi-powered JK build from Dakota Customs can really roar

- Mike Magda

What kernel of knowledge was revealed from the meticulous work performed by Dakota

Customs of Rapid City, South Dakota? Horsepower and wheel travel can go together on a new Jeep. The power comes from a 707hp Hellcat Hemi V-8 crate engine, and the travel is courtesy of a GenRight Elite coil over conversion. After adding the cost of a new, fully optioned Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the bill was right at $70,000 worth of parts in the shop. Throw in custom axles, wheels and tires, a beefy transfer case, a bullet-proof transmission, and body armor and it’s easy to see how quickly the build tab inflated.That’s before a single wrench was turned.

This four-door Wrangler is a hoot to drive, though. With 650 lb-ft of torque and 4.88:1 gears, there’s plenty of neck snapping acceleration and a rowdy exhaust note that turns heads at every stoplight. Although these photos were taken during a quick and undemanding test drive near the shop, we were told that the owner quickly got it very dirty on some rigorous trails during the Chile Challenge in New Mexico shortly after taking delivery.

Chassis