During the mid-90s, an NBC show named Viper showcased a crime-fighting vehicle disguised as a Dodge Viper. Using 90s-era CGI, the Viper in the series morphed into an all-terrain machine equipped with an arsenal reminiscent of a modernized K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider.
About a year back, YouTuber and engineer Matt Brown skipped the transformation process and converted his 1999 Viper RT-10 into a dedicated off-road machine that surpasses its stock sports car abilities. This elevated, off-road-ready Viper was designed to conquer sand washes and desert whoops, for which Brown opted for a substantial 12-inch lift.
The engineer pointed out that equipping off-road tires on this sports car would amplify road noise. Yet, he noted that the car was already “as loud as a monster truck,” rendering the noise increase negligible. Dismissing the notion of placing a Viper body on a truck frame, he remarked, “that wouldn’t make it an off-roading Viper; it would be an off-road truck sporting a Viper hat.”
Why choose a Viper for this project? Brown highlighted the undersized brakes, inadequate radiator, and the feeble cooling capability of the HVAC system. However, despite these limitations, the Viper sports an impressive 8.0-liter V10 engine under its hood, equivalent to the displacement of 64 Honda Grom motorcycles, as Brown amusingly points out.
“Elevating any decent sports car by a foot and fitting off-road tires would typically diminish its performance,” remarked Brown in his video from March 2023. “However, with the Viper, I believe it’s, at worst, a lateral move.”
Brown, also known as SuperFast Matt on YouTube, integrated a solid rear axle from a Jeep Wrangler, installed a custom-built suspension system with Fox front shocks, and custom-fabricated necessary components in his workshop. Throughout the project, he devised innovative solutions when confronted with challenges, always keeping his trusty OBD2 reader by his side.
Following some fine-tuning, Brown started the Viper last week and took it for its initial drive post the lift. While there are still refinements to be made, the results are striking. Enthusiasts now await eagerly to witness its real off-road prowess in action.
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