We don’t know for certain, but we have to imagine that the legendary CJ line is responsible for forging more Jeep® brand fans than any of the other vehicles in our history. Eric Merciers can certainly chalk his Jeep® brand faith up to the Wrangler predecessors. He joined the Jeep® brand nation when he finally bought a ’76 CJ of his very own, and he wasted no time before customizing his workhorse to be ready for whatever he could throw at it.

Eric swapped out the 2.73 gears for a 3.73 ratio after replacing the old AMC20 rear axle with a Dana 44, and a four-inch Superlift and 33-inch tires which gave this rig the ground clearance it needed. A 400 cfm Webber carburetor now feeds the 258 cubic-inch engine and an HEI distributor supplies the spark.

“I wanted a Jeep brand vehicle practically all my life. Even as a small child I could tell Jeep [brand vehicles], particularly CJs, looked very capable. As my cousin proved to me, they are. Growing up, the whole family would converge at my aunt’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. While the women cooked, the men and boys would hunt. After dinner the men would lay around and watch football while we would go back out to hunt and four wheel. However, as a teen, my dad said “NO” to a Jeep brand vehicle. As a young man, the wife said “NO.” The second wife said “Sure”. I love my wife! She likes to go wheeling with me and now she wants a Cherokee. I’m shopping.”

Sounds like you’ve found a pair of keepers, Eric. Shoot us some photos when you find that Cherokee.