We’ve always had a soft spot for fullsize Jeeps . . .

They’re certainly rather rare in our ‘hood, and besides, they just look so darn cool. This example, spied near our palatial offices at an undisclosed location, is a fine example of a Jeeping work-in-progress (as opposed to the kinds of immobile pile we normally feature here). For starters, the stock springs (which included front lift blocks when the rig’s poor owner bought it) were ditched in favor of a clean 4-inch S.O.A. conversion courtesy of Hell Creek Suspension. The Dana 44 axles were refurbished and cleaned, and stuffed with Truetracs and 4.56 gears, and a set of 33x12.50 Pro Comp tires mounts up to 15-inch Eaton rims. We’re told a 4.0L Six-NV3550-NP 208 drivetrain swap is in the works to replace the no-doubt-tired-and-horribly-underpowered-after-40-years 232 Six/T-14/Dana 20 combo, so for the time being, this rig keeps our Carson Trailer company in our lot while it awaits its brand new powertain. And if that ain’t a gift of Christian charity to a deserving old rig, we don’t know what is.

A set of Hell Creek Suspension 4-inch leaf springs over the refurbished Dana 44s make for a clean install. The pumpkins have been stuffed with 4.56s and Eaton Truetracs for good measure.

Warn locking hubs? It gets no better. The 33x12.50 Pro Comp tires mounted on Eaton heavy-duty black steelies are a sensible combo for trail work and daily driving.

Yegads. Well, there’s not much bedliner left, but the lumber in the bed sure indicates this truck gets used for serious work. Or the tree trimmers who worked our parking lot last week got a little careless, we’re not sure which.