Thank you for the good wishes, boss. The build has started in Pindi, where I'm unfortunately unable to personally monitor it from a distance, other than weekends.
To be entirely candid, one of the things that actually tipped my favour in balance of the diesel engine was the fact that I'd just spent a week / ten days thrashing it about in all sorts of inhospitable terrain, where it performed wonderfully well, INSPITE of my being fairly nasty to it. Subliminally, I think a part of me wanted to 'fail' the engine while I was using it in an RJMR, to justify my purchasing a petrol engine, later. A ploy, which clearly failed, itself.
The other thing, which I've mentioned elsewhere, too, is the condition of the engine. Simply stated, it's incredible. I dare say that ANY engine I might have wished to purchase simply couldn't measure up to how new this one is. And while you can tinker around with ergonomics, cosmetics and interior fitments for the entire life-cycle of the vehicle...the engine is one thing you want to be dead reliable. I believe this engine will have just that sort of capability.
Another fact, was burning curiosity, to be honest. I already have a 1FZ-FE in another TLC. While that was a very powerful factor in my wanting to have another 1FZ, ultimately it proved to be an equally strong motivating reason behind buying something different...for an entirely different breed of vehicle. Something along the lines of "ok...let's see which is better, amongst the two"
Let's see how things turn out.
Fouad.
P.S. Congratulations on the terrific participation by you and NN in the Jhal Magsi Rally. Perhaps, next year, I might enter my FZJ79, too, and see how that goes.