Since I was small, I have always had an affection for Jeeps – I recall driving down highway 101 on a road trip to southern California with my family, and seeing 2 young guys (clearly old enough to drive – as I was probably 10) Cruising down the highway in an awesome Jeep CJ7, no top – full doors, and a couple of surfboards tied to the roll bar above.  Somehow this struck me as “freedom” – it was a warm day, and these guys seemed to be laughing and smiling without a care in the world.

At that moment, a love affair was born – I was not to become a sports car man… but one who’d grow up to love jeeps. Jeeps are like a Tonka toys for big kids. It is a vehicle that you can configure to your mood- set up with a Hard top, soft top, full doors, half doors, no doors, fold the windshield, bikini top… you name it. Not only that, but there is no end to the ways that you can customize them.

This last summer, I picked up a 1983 CJ7, that while old and well used, had been cared for and not abused. (A bit of a challenge for a near 30 year old off-road vehicle) Now, in truth, I have had 6 different jeeps over the years, but this is the first that is NOT my daily driver… but simply my toy. One that I will experiment and tinker with to make the way that I always wanted and have dreamed about for all these years. I am not in a hurry – though I have already made some great progress… I created this site to track of the progress of my build and ultimately my adventures with my toy!

As it sat (post wash) with the hard top, full doors when I brought it home…

A view from the side

With the top & doors removed~ The way this truck was meant to be!