I originally bought my little '89 YJ to tear apart and make a monster out of. Only trouble is, it's too damn much fun the way it is. Do I call it done for a while or keep going and make something like this?

I never planned on keeping anything but the body and frame, but the stock engine runs so sweet and the stock axles should be fine for a long time considering the 30-spline Superior shafts and Eaton E-Lockers front and rear. I had a blast in Moab wheeling the WHY-J in this configuration. The best part was all the people hanging around at obstacles telling me, "you won't make it" moments before I walked right up hard stuff like the trail was paved. It's fun being the underdog. About the only additions I could want if I keep it this way are some 4.88 gears, a better cage, and power steering.

But then I start taking stock of the parts I've got here at home and build plans start whirring in my head. There's the 5.7L Hemi that's been taking up space on my garage floor for 5 years. And the Stak 3-speed Monster Box T-case that's not gonna find a home in Overkill now that it's gonna be 2WD. Oh, and that project also frees up the driver-drop Currie aluminum Rock Jock and GM 14-bolt rear. Both axles are silly-wide at 70 inches WMS-WMS and are stuffed with Detroit Lockers and 5.13s. The Stak input is 32-spline for a GM TH400 or 4L80E tranny. Oooh, maybe a 4L80E with a JW Ultra Bell to mate the GM tranny to the Hemi. But then the passenger-drop Stak will probably have front driveshaft interference issues on the tranny pan. But an NV4500 would work really nice with a torquey 6.2L GM LS3 or even an LQ9. But then that still leaves the Hemi on my garage floor. And even with some deep backspacing on the wheels, 70-inch WMS is pretty darn wide for a Wrangler.

Oh, maybe I can put the Overkill axles in the M-715. But then that still leaves the Stak and Hemi without a home. Aw crap. Here we go again.