After years of moving the 1989 Isuzu Trooper RS from one shop or storage locker to another, it finally left its latest home away from home running under its own power. It's a big day.
The RS has gotten a crash course in resuscitation, with Jay over at Jay's 4WD rebuilding the brakes and fuel system along with installing a fresh timing belt in the course of a month after work and on weekends. Jay earned every bit of that bonus I promised him, and while we're not done, it was incredibly gratifying to see the truck leave the shop under its own power this weekend.
The Trooper has successfully gone into reverse and second gear, so fingers crossed the transmission will find the other two cogs before too long. Jay likely wants his shop space back - after all, we agreed to get it running, not restore it all the way back - but I hope he's willing to tackle a few more projects before I bring it home to begin the bodywork phase.