
So I began the hunt for a stock YJ. Best one I found was a Rio Grande without a pricetag that spent a decade on the pacific coast, it showed, and they wanted 6995$ for it, I smiled politely and left. This 97 TJ SE was what I found in my price range at dealer of all places. I would like to say I haggled and talked them down on the price, but according to them the previous day they offered it to someone for 4000$, 2000$ less than originally asked, There may have been smoke blowing somewhere but, I tend to believe people. This is how it looked when I picked it up.

The first thing I bought the next day were the four correct rims 100$ on craigslist. The spare luckily was already good to go. Not until very recently I decided to purchase decals from Ratrace427 and at the same time happened to see a single proper used tire on ebay for 61$ on ebay as the current spare was oversized.


Simple green works wonders.
The "opportunity" presented to me is that this isn't a yj but I still want to make it somewhat canon. If I paint the TJ next year the Willys will get the same paint, red stripes and all. As of now next spring I only plan on using plastidip to paint the rims and stripes. I'll likely change my mind a few times before spring as it is a long ways off.