Who would've thought?

Eight long years ago, this showed up at our house:

What exactly is it? That was my question to Chris as well. Turns out, it was a bone stock 1972 Ford Bronco which Chris had bought for $850. It came to us pre-rolled, with a carburetted 302, 3 speed on the column, and mostly broken. Neither of the doors opened properly and the ignition was seriously jacked up as well. I thought my husband was loony, he informed me that I was looking at "a diamond in the rough". In my cranky pregnant state, I just rolled my eyes and went about my day. What Chris didn't realize at the time was that this moment was the beginning of the end and neither of us had any idea how fabulous our journey would be with this little Bronco.

Fast forward eight years to today and let me re-introduce you to our beloved Lemon Joy:

Monday night, Chris pulled her out of the garage for another test drive. I can't even begin to count how many test drives we've taken her on over the past 8 years. This particular night was both exciting and bittersweet though. This picture is of her first spin with no more stock Bronco components. The last stock part was her Dana 20 transfer case which has now been replaced with a super-de-duper 3 speed STaK. The only Bronco parts left on her are 3 mangled body panels, part of her grill, 2 frame rails, and the dash. As far as the pregnancy that was making me sicker than a dog so long ago....she is now our crazy 7 year old who always includes Lemon Joy in her prayers as a thank you to the Lord for "a Lemon Joy who rocks".

Let's compare: The new STaK versus the Dana 20

Look at that sexy beast!! I'm particularly thrilled with the purple skull shift knobs. :)

Seeing as how I'm in such a sentimental state right now thinking about our crazy journey here are some pictures to show the progression of our sweet yellow love.....

Billings Canyon in Grand Junction, Thanksgiving 2006

Silverton in the summer of 2006.....look at those pretty body panels!

Her first run up Upper Helldorado in Moab. This was the trip that took out the soft top.

A side obstacle on Rusty Nail; EJS 2007

And the destruction of the body begins....

Britney Spears, EJS 2007

These pictures were taken right before Chris ripped off all her body panels for her make-over last summer. The poor girl has been abused!

And now the newly tubed out Lemon Joy!

Coyote Canyon, fall 2008

Pritchett Canyon, New Year's weekend, 2009

And just for giggles, here's a brief list of what makes Lemon Joy amazing:

~A fuel injected 302 from an 89 Grand Marquis

~NP435 4 speed transmission

~3G Alternator from a mid 90's Mustang

~Electric fan from a Ford Taurus

~3 Speed StaK transfer case

~Full width axles from a 79 Ford F150

~Custom 4 link suspension which stretched the wheel base from 92 inches to 113 inches!!

~A wonderful winch from Chris' mom

~40" Iroks

~And most importantly, an amazing piece of old iron that has more personality than we know what to do with.....but dammit, she's cute and we love her. :)