It's no secret I've been a fan of Full Sized Jeeps (FSJs) ever since I got my hands on one several years ago. A lot of them came with V-8s, good frames, and great useable drivetrain components. They also get terrible fuel economy, often have rust problems, and can be difficult to get passed a smog station in states that require checks. This balance usually offers a great Jeep for very little cash outlay. In the mid to late '90s most of my buddies picked up Toyota FJ40 Lancruisers to eventually build up into heavy rock rigs. I was the only Jeep guy. Over the past few months a couple of them have converted to be FSJ owners. I was supposed to help one of them find a truck over the weekend. Little did I know the FSJ truck he wanted was mine. So I reluctantly sold it to him and he took it straight to the desert for a day of wheeling. I'm bummed to see it go but it wasn't the exact truck I wanted to own.

Yesterday I helped another buddy weld some motor mounts into his '74 Cherokee Chief. He bought it as a clean stock runner and proceeded to part out the 401 V-8 and axles. It's now sitting on a spring-over, dual Dana 60s, and will likely have the 450hp fuel-injected GM V-8, TH400, and Atlas transfer case slung into it later today. He pulled all of these parts off of his old Landcruiser. Not sure how he is gonna get the empty Cruiser chassis out of his garage.

So as it stands, I don't even have a Jeep to take wheeling right now! The JK is still in the body shop (it's been a month) and I never did make it to Reno to pick up that green FSJ stepside. I figure this is the exact motivation I need to get my other projects done. But not this weekend, I'm having too much fun bench racing while all of my buddies thrash, bust knuckles, and get greasy while getting their rigs ready for desert season.