Engine Bay going back together. There are a couple “placeholders” that are slated for a swap IOT fix a leaky MC and add a more overall finished appearance.
We hatched the scheme for 2.0 in the Sept-ish time frame of 23.
As luck and my bohemian lifestyle would have it, I’m sitting here recouping from a fourth trip to the witch doctor, all related to a gallbladder exorcism that began in mid Nov of 23. As a result, I’m waxing a little philosophical. Or, maybe that’s just pain meds and the residual effects of general anesthesia..

What ever the case, it D@mn sure puts me out of commission for a few days afterward. I just wish the Mrs wouldn’t hide the AMEX card. Just not fair to a recuperating patient with nothing but time, a laptop and an empty “cart”. Now granted, this whole thing would have been over sooner had I not opted to postpone the removal of my offending organ till after the 2023 whitetail season. So, I’ll own up to some of the responsibility for the protracted engagement and suffer in self imposed exile perusing Tire Rack for the best deal on five MT’s.
Hindsight being 50/50

, the Mule may have languished in tepid mediocrity for the foreseeable future. Destined to ride the pages of MUD as a stark reminder that the artisan science of diamond plate installation is a lost and under appreciated art.
Serendipity steeps in..
In my particular case, The decision to smash the easy button on the Mule 2.0 has proven beyond any reasonable argument, to be the right decision, at the right time. Couldn’t be happier with the progress and the outcome at this point. And it is with great humility and lack of presumption that I have taken on the role as chief historian and story teller in the 2.0 narrative.
I’m working on the screen play. Lining up Matt Damon to play
@Jdc1 in the made for TV adaptation.