JeepHeritage has introduced its new 1981 J-10 Honcho Sportside that is designed to honor Jeep’s original design philosophy and capabilities, Vigilante 4×4’s restoration division announced.
“All of JeepHeritage’s work showcases our immense passion and deep admiration for the historic Jeep brand. JeepHeritage is shaped by our dedication to utilizing the best engineering and finest materials to create superbly executed restorations from some of the most historic vehicles that Jeep ever made,” said JeepHeritage CEO and Lead Designer Daniel van Doveren. “This custom J-10 Honcho Sportside is so special because it was built from the ground up, which allowed us to incorporate certain upgrades that aren’t commonly seen on similar vintage trucks. I can confidently say that out of the 1,264 vehicles originally produced by Jeep during the 1980-1983 era, this Sportside is one of the top five best examples that can be found out on the road today.”
The new JeepHeritage 1981 J-10 Honcho Sportside has been restored to the company’s “Stage One” standards and features upgrades that make the truck suited for modern-day driving conditions, the company said. JeepHeritage started the restoration with a complete stripdown to the bare frame. The original frame was sandblasted, galvanized, and powder coated to protect the metal and guard against rust.
For improved performance, JeepHeritage installed an AMC 401 engine. The JeepHeritage Sportside also features a 6-inch suspension lift in the front and 4-inch lift in the rear to accommodate Goodyear 37-inch MTR tires.
JeepHeritage then incorporated a multi-point fuel injection system and a stainless steel exhaust, the company said. New versions of the Honcho Sportside’s original stock bumpers and grille were also integrated into the truck.
JeepHeritage made sure to leave the period-correct Laredo-style interior intact and reupholstered every surface, the company said. Black and gray leather covers the dashboard, high bucket seats, arm rests, and door panels. A Sirius Bluetooth sound system is also incorporated.
To complete the build, the JeepHeritage Honcho Sportside features Firecracker Red paint alongside yellow and orange side detailing.
