Wow..... So many memories....., learned to drive in a '46 or'47 Willys on my fathers partners goat farm..... I really got to love the Willys as it was my first love at age 12...... Got several fence posts one day as I was standing up to change gears at a critical moment......., my next Jeep was an air force surplus M53 that was really clapped out, came in a wretched maroon color applied with a coarse brush, and a pink front passenger seat from a Thunderbird and sporting quite a few sheep turds as accessories...... The power train still moved it around but, not fast, and braking was always a thing requiring a plan........ Loved it but, please do not ask why.... Lol...... Next up was a CJ5, light green with the V6, a peppy motor and a good fit.... I put a lot of miles on this one.... Caving in Kentucky, cruising in the North West, climbing in Utah and Colorado and myriad other adventures ..... I flogged the living snot out of that vehicle and she ALWAYS asked for more..... I traded up to a CJ6 with a full length Fritz Runck built roll cage so I could roll up the top and not have to worry about dinging up the top bows..... Great idea but a pain in use...... Had some good times in that one, good times indeed..... I ran Desert Dogs on that one and it ran really well after all the pollution control crap was removed from the straight six and an old rebuilt Two barrel Rochester carb replaced whatever was on it........ Strong motor and a damn strong vehicle.....
Having said all that, I blame most of my persistent back problems on short wheel bases and a penchant for playing Dukes of. Hazard in the woods....Lol...... I thought airborne was unconnected to parachutes.....Lol.... I did love my Jeeps, I did, I did......... Still do......
Ethan
Ps....... One of the things that always amused me was that when I bought the CJ5 the front and rear passenger seats and PAINT were options on the invoice..... I suspect that primer was "standard" ..... LOL... E