I don't know why I'm so excited about all the new Jeep stuff coming from Mopar Performance and the Jeep guys' ORT (Off Road Technology) platforms, but I am.

This doesn't come from anybody at Jeep/Chrysler, but I've speculated that while under the Diamler ownership the role of Chrysler's aftermarket support platforms like Mopar Performance and its in-house maverick team of designers (SRT/10 pickup, Jeep Rubicon, SRT/8 Grand, etc) were minimized if not brushed under the carpet.  All I know is that once Daimler took over I stopped getting a lot of press release material and the Mopar Performance catalog went from one big, thick book to three pamphlets.  Then, all of a sudden under Cerberus we see a bunch of cool stuff from Ma Mopar.

In addition to the ORT (formerly Skunk Werkz) Jeeps Chrysler brought out to Moab this year, we're seeing crate Dana 60 axles, long arm suspensions, and all the other stuff Cappa has blogged about.  And if you're not a car nut, lemme tell you about the 540+hp 392 hemi, hemi wiring harnesses, and a bunch of other cool trinkets that'll make your 5.7L hemi sing.

It's got me so excited I'm seriously looking into buying a YJ or maybe even a JK just to highlight these programs.  If I actually pull the trigger on my JK purchase I'm gonna keep the build idea a secret until it's in my driveway and I've got to chopping.  However, if I stumble onto a cheap YJ I'm thinking it'll need 500hp worth of modern Hemi, a Mopar crate Dana 60, and a bunch of other trinkets from my local Dodge/Jeep dealership.

I'm still reeling from recently buying a 6.7L MegaCab, so if you know of a decent (solid) YJ under $1,500 lemme know about it.