There's no denying that new Jeep models are great, particularly the Wrangler. They remain relatively affordable while delivering incredibly capable off-road ability. If you want to spend more, you can have the ability mixed with a premium or luxury interior and ride. There's also no denying classic Jeep models are also great and full of character, but they lack modern conveniences and modern suspension and drivetrains. A lot of that can be changed in the aftermarket, but if you want a classic Jeep model and all that character but with modern performance and an upmarket interior, you're going to get into restomod territory and restomod money.

Whether you're looking for ideas, a shop to build your dream Jeep, or just enjoy seeing what can be accomplished with a massive budget and an old Jeep, we're shining light here on some of our favorite restomods out there. All but one are available from companies at the time of writing and range from the subtly upgraded to the jaw-droppingly over-the-top.

1. Ball And Buck Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler ARB Overland Edition

Ball and Buck is "an outfitter tailored for the sporting gentleman," which are fancy words for a company that sells camouflage caps and basic tee shirts with a camo pocket for $48. Of course, you can spend more money on pants, shirts, jackets, belts, and more, but you can also spend over $100,000 on a Jeep CJ-8 with the company. Also known as the Scrambler, the CJ-8 was the long-wheelbase CJ with a truck bed that was built between 1981 and 1986. The Ball and Buck restomod has a long list of modifications that include a two-inch suspension lift, front and rear air lockers, a Safari Snorkel air intake, a Base Rack system, an onboard air compressor, propane tank storage, fuel and water storage, and a Warn M8000 winch. You can specify it with either a 5.3-liter V8 gasoline engine or a Cummins R2.8 diesel unit under the hood, and with either polished stainless or Matt black trim for the upgraded interior. Prices start at $110,000.

2. Vigilante Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Vigilante is the sister company to the Jeep Heritage restoration company. Rather than just restoring Jeeps, Vigilante goes all-in on the restoration process and then adds comfort and performance. And, oh boy, can it add performance. The restoration part is top-notch, and the interior looks beautiful, but the Vigilante Jeep Grand Wagoneer grabs headlines with its powertrain options. You can choose from a Mopar HEMI SRT-8 engine making 485 hp, a Hellcat engine making 707 hp, or a heavy dose of insanity, a 1,000-hp Helliphant engine.

Prices start at $295,000, and for the money, Vigilante ensures the Wagoneer can handle the power through its drivetrain, suspension, and braking. Vigilante uses Eibach coil springs and manually adjustable FOX RACING 2.0 shock absorbers to replace the original leaf spring suspension, and braking is taken care of with BAER 6-piston calipers. It's one of the best examples of a sleeper we can think of. Perfect for long joyrides across America or taking to the local drag strip to embarrass newer, sleeker cars.

3. Legacy Trucks Jeep Scrambler Conversion Dualsport V8

Legacy Trucks is famous for restomodding all kinds of American iron, but its Jeep Scrambler is something particularly special. Unlike Ball And Buck's take on the Scrambler, this Legacy Trucks model focuses on outright off-road performance rather than long sojourns into the wild. The first clue to that is the roll cage over the cab and truck bed. You can have it with a Chevy LS3 V8 with 430 hp or a diesel engine, but the real story is about the chassis and weight saving. The base is a fully boxed Mandrel bent frame and, when finished, your converted Jeep CJ 5, 7, or 8 will have more power, a beefed-up all-aluminum drivetrain featuring an Atlas II Twin-Stick Transfer Case, long-travel coil-sprung suspension, dual-piston brakes, aluminum bodywork with open fenders, bead-locked wheels, a lower center of gravity, and an elegant interior. It weighs just 3,300 pounds.

4. Jeep Five-Quarter

You can't buy a Jeep Five-Quarter, which is an absolute travesty. Jeep built the Five-Quarter restomod concept for its Easter Safari in Moab, Utah, and it's insane. It's based on the 1968 Jeep M715 tactical vehicle, powered by a 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, has a full carbon-fiber front end, a six-foot custom aluminum bed fabricated with a mix of water-jet cut panels and wood slats, a heavy-duty link and coil-spring suspension, and looks like it could have easily slipped into caricature with its oversized tires and lowered convertible soft top. Instead, we think it looks incredible, and we love that Jeep took it out to the desert and showed it's fully functional. The name comes from the M715 tactical vehicle's ton-and-a-quarter duty rating.

5. Overbuilt Customs Jeep CJ

Nothing says "Americana" like a Jeep CJ, but the modern driving experience is lacking. Overbuilt Customs has packages for that, whether you want your CJ-5, CJ-7, or CJ-8 restored, restomodded, or turned into a diesel-powered overlander. The restomod package leaves nothing untouched but doesn't go over the top. The drivetrain is completely restored except for the engine and transmission, replaced with a new 5.3-liter GM-sourced V8 and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. Everything else is either restored or upgraded, including fresh wiring and steel brake lines, and the interior is given a complete refresh with new seats, a soft top, and gauges. You can then option anything from air conditioning to brakes to a roll cage.

6. Wagonmaster Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Wagonmaster is the company to visit if you have around a hundred grand to spend and want a classic Jeep Grand Wagoneer you can drive every day as well as on road trips. The restoration part of the deal is heavy and touches every part of the Wagoneer that isn't in perfect working order, and the modification is slight but important. Typically, the vehicles Wagonmaster offers will have a new Jasper V8 engine, fuel injection, and the company's own wood grain and molding. The model you're looking at below is a 1985 model finished in Dark Honey, and upgrades also include a Kenwood Bluetooth/satellite sound system and keyless entry, new or renewed interior including weatherstripping and soundproofing, Toyo Eclipse 235x75x15 WSW All-Weather tires, and a 5,000-pound tow package.