Chris Kyle is a name that needs no introduction around these parts. The man is an icon, a legend and a true American hero. His legacy has served to inspire Americans everywhere, and a wide variety of projects have been created in his honor. One such project is the special-edition Jeep Wrangler—dubbed “The Legend”—you see here.
- RELATED STORY: Book Review: ‘American Sniper’
When talking to the team involved in the making of this Jeep, it’s immediately apparent that this project was a true labor of love. Leading the project was Shaun Freilich of Complete Customs, based in McKinney, Texas. Freilich worked closely with Chris’ widow, Taya Kyle, and the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation to ensure that this build stayed true to the man who inspired it.
As Freilich explains, “The overall theme is to help keep Chris Kyle’s spirit alive and help bring awareness to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. After meeting with [the foundation], we decided that the Jeep was the best platform to express Chris’ personality. By going with the Jeep Wrangler, it really gave us the ability to work with several companies that Chris worked with, such as Kryptek, Bowtech and TrackingPoint. Besides, when you think American legends, you can’t get any more American than Chris Kyle and Jeep.”
We couldn’t agree more at Ballistic. So let’s dive into the details and see what makes this Jeep so awesome.
A Closer Look
One of the first things you’ll notice is the Kryptek Banshee Kevlar paint. Freilich explains that as Chris had a personal relationship with the guys at Kryptek, incorporating the company’s unique patterns was key to getting this Jeep looking just right. Complete Customs worked with Kryptek on the renders, after which the talented team at Camoliner took over and applied the textured paint job to the Jeep. This was an extremely challenging aspect of the build, says Freilich. But now that it’s done and looking oh-so-good, the team can proudly claim, “We are the only shop to spray the Kryptek pattern in the Kevlar form!”
Now that the outside of the Jeep Wrangler was looking right, the vehicle was sent back to Complete Customs so Freilich and his team could add their magic.
Complete Customs partnered up with suspension company Rock Krawler to beef up the Jeep’s already impressive off-road prowess. Rock Krawler supplied its latest 5.5-inch Trail Gunner suspension kit, which by itself can make any Jeep special. This kit includes an independent three-link front and rear conversion, remote reservoir shocks up front that allow up to 12.5 inches of travel, remote reservoir rear shocks that give up to 10.5 inches of travel, and all the parts needed to make the kit work in perfect harmony with the Jeep. The front axle was also upgraded with a G2 Core 44 axle and ARB lockers.
- RELATED STORY: Kilroy: Rugged Ridge’s Military-Themed Jeep
This kit also allowed the Complete Customs team to add some oversized tires to help this Jeep crawl over whatever gets in its way. Since this photo shoot, the wheels have been swapped out for new forged Chris Kyle-edition wheels, but the tires remain the same. We’re talking meaty 40×14.5×20 Interco SS-M16 tires here. In addition to looking the part, Freilich says they also help give this Jeep Wrangle an amazing ride. We’re counting the days until we can get a ride-along to confirm that last bit about the new tires.
Powering it all is the standard 3.6-liter V6, with a few power-adders thrown in for good measure. A Magnuson supercharger kit, featuring an Eaton Twin Vortices series supercharger, adds boost, power and that sweet supercharged whine. Helping it all breathe a bit easier is an MBRP cat-back Off-Road exhaust system.
Inside, the team partnered with Roadwire interiors to create the Kryptek-patterned Chris Kyle Edition seat covers. A 9-inch, in-dash Alpine Restyle system adds a bit of entertainment for cruising around town.
Up front, the first thing you’ll notice is the custom Chris Kyle Legend grille. Adding some extra style to the Jeep’s exterior is a Venom front bumper courtesy of Addictive Desert Designs (ADD). This stylish piece of off-road armor houses the Warn M8000-S winch and serves as a mounting point for the Rigid Industries LED lighting/GoPro camera mount. ADD also amped up this Jeep’s attitude with its Venom series rear bumper, tire carrier and side steps. Gear that needs to go up top is kept secure by a MaxRax roof rack.
Taya Kyle herself has nothing but praise for this Jeep. “The details in Chris Kyle Frog Foundation Jeeps are not only exceptional quality, but they have a badass feel that Chris would have loved. When I saw the final product, it was emotional, mostly because I felt Chris would have been humbly ecstatic about the look, the feel and the utility. I could almost feel his smile and hear his laugh as I saw him driving it full-out in my mind’s eye.”
- RELATED STORY: Special Report: American Sniper Steel
Endorsements don’t ring any truer than that. Complete Customs and participating Jeep dealers are selling versions of The Legend, with proceeds going to the continued support of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
To learn more about the foundation itself, and to see how you can get involved, visit chriskylefrogfoundation.org.
Specifications
The Base Ride:
- Jeep Wrangler JK
Engine/Drivetrain
- 3.6-liter V6
- Magnuson Supercharger kit
- MBRP cat-back Off-Road exhaust system
- G2 5.38 front and rear gears
Suspension
- Rock Krawler 5.5-inch Trail Gunner kit
Wheels/Tires
- Custom XD wheels
- Interco 40×14.5×20 SS-M16
Exterior
- Custom Kryptek Banshee Kevlar paint by Camoliner
- Chris Kyle Legend grille
- RKSport hood
- Rigid Industries LED lighting
- Rigid Industries GoPro mount
- Addictive Desert Designs Venom Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, Tire Carrier, Side Steps
- MaxRax roof rack
- MetalCloak overline front fenders
- ExoSkin 6-inch quick-release dovetail rear fenders
Interior
- Roadwire Interiors Chris Kyle Edition Kryptek seat covers
- Alpine 9-inch, in-dash Restyle system
- Condition Zero gun and bow mounts
Discussion about this post