The Jeep Cherokee SRT8 is one mean, family hauling machine straight from the factory, packing plenty of punch thanks to it’s 6.1-liter, 420 horsepower HEMI quietly nestled between the fenders. But don’t the fat that this is an SUV fool you, because this Jeep is a performance vehicle in every sense of the word, with aerodynamic improvements and upgraded chassis and suspension components. And as such, some enthusiasts have taken it to with an all-out approach, as evidenced by the 9.6-second clockings turned in by a virtually stock appearing SRT8 in Florida earlier this year.

Well the Jeep wars are beginning to heat up. A recent overhaul of a 2007 model SRT8 Cherokee has netted the honor of the second quickest Jeep in the world, with a 10.47-second clocking at 129.37 miles per hour. Under the hood is a 6.1-liter HEMI stroked to 426 cubic inches, prepared by noted drag racing engine factory Bischoff Racing Engines and featuring fully forged internals. Atop the engine is a custom sheet metal intake with Bosch 90-pound injectors and an Arrington 100mm throttle body, fed by an intercooled Vortech Ysi supercharger at 12-pounds of boost.

Other goodies on this badass family cruiser in disguise include a custom aluminum fuel tank with an Aeromotive fuel pump, a Paramount transmission with a trans brake, DTS custom rear differential with Strange 35-spline axles and a spool, Penske coilover shocks, Paramount posi front differential, and an aftermarket drive shaft with a safety loop.

The 10.47 lap was pulled down at last weekends Milan Dragway No ET Nationals, with a 1.505 short time running on pump gas at the mind boggling car and driver weight of 5000 pounds. This Jeep and the SRT8 of Keoni Stryhn have both run a best of 10.47, and plan to make some side-by-side laps at an upcoming late model HEMI meet at Atco Raceway next month. Some very impressive performances from a beastly machine, and one can hope that someone goes after 9-second record.