When ICON 4×4 builds restomods, the customs shop isn’t merely adding some modern componentry to a long-in-the-tooth vintage vehicle, but instead aiming to right the wrongs left by the donor’s original design and engineering teams. And the latest donor to have its wrongs righted by Jonathan Ward and his team is a mid’70s Jeep Cherokee dubbed “Safe Flight.”
The Safe Flight build started out as a 1975 Jeep Cherokee, but that’s been heavily modified, inside and out, while still being readily identifiable as a ‘70s Cherokee. Everything from its powertrain to its suspension and running gear to its interior has been completely reworked or replaced, giving way to one of the most breath-taking restomods we’ve seen in a long while. The project also uses a combination of bespoke parts, and components borrowed from other retro donors, ranging from everything from 1965 Kaisers to 1979 Jeeps.
The Cherokee’s original AMC mill was pulled and replaced with a modern 6.4L HEMI V8. The 392 engine has been bolted to a General Motors 4L85-E automatic transmission. The V8 also generates a very respectable 485hp.
ICON has managed to hugely improve the Cherokee’s performance by adding a host of modern top-shelf parts. This includes a FOX shocks, Hydroboosted ICON x Brembo brakes, an Atlas II transfer case, a Dana 44 heavy-duty high pinion front axle and a Dana 60 in the rear.
To bring its bespoke interior to life, Ward called on Wyoming’s Mercury Leather Works, tasking the master saddle maker and leather tooler with hand-carving and hand-tooling Wickett & Craig saddle leather into custom Sheridan-style pattern (that even incorporates a few of the lizards from ICON’s logo). These Sheridan-style elements now adorn the door panels and the seat inserts. The inserts are surrounded by Italian Moore & Giles leather upholstery, which the remainder of the interior is trimmed in.
In addition to all the fine handcrafted leatherwork, the project’s cabin has also received custom interior trim spears, custom arm rests, a full custom Alcantara headliner, restructured front seats, one-off coat hooks, a custom dome light, and an all-custom dash. The stock steering wheel has been recreated in machined aluminum before being fitted with a custom ICON logo badge
The Cherokee’s exterior has also been lightly modified to give it a more contemporary feel without altering its character or core DNA. This was achieved through carrying out modifications such as a bespoke billet aluminum grille that looks similar to the original but has a bit more depth — and a polished chrome finish. The inner lights that the custom grille is now sandwiched between have also been jettisoned in order to make space for custom cold-air intake ports to feed the HEMI.
The exterior of the Jeep has been cloaked in a coat of Porsche Chalk paint. The stock vehicle’s belt line trim featured a scheme known as “Injun.” Being less-than-culturally-sensitive, Ward consulted with a Cherokee chief and a handful of experts in order to create an eagle feather pattern symbolizing “safe flight” — hence the name of the project.
In addition to the bespoke, handworked interior, Mercury Leather Works also whipped up a custom leather belt in the same W&C saddle leather construction and Sheridan-style pattern as the seat and door inserts. The belt also boasts a bespoke one-off ICON logo buckle crafted from German silver.
Class: Restomod
Builder: ICON 4×4
Project: Safe Flight
Donor: 1975 Jeep Cherokee
Engine: 6.4L V8
Power: 485HP
Transmission: Automatic
Upholstery: Mercury Leather Works
ICON 4×4’s 1975 Jeep Cherokee “Safe Flight” Restomod is already spoken for, though the shop is currently accepting commissions starting from around $200,000. Having said that, expect a lengthy wait list and a markedly higher price tag if you want a restomod build like the Cherokee Safe Flight.
ICON 4×4 completely revamps a mid’70s Cherokee, treating the Jeep to modern componentry, a bespoke interior with hand-tooled leatherwork, and a 6.4L HEMI V8 cranking out almost 500hp.
