i am taking a road trip from florida to british columbia some time in august and by that time i am hoping against hope that i can have up and running...a lwb samurai with a vw turbodiesel and lockers. any help or information or advice to a newbie is appreciated.  thanks, everyone.

Good Luck, I have been looking for a LWB for about 3 years now(in my price range).  They do come around every now and again and usually fetch a good buck.  Keep looking on here, ebay, and zuwharrie and you will come across one eventually. 

There was one around me in LA that was $5K but it was nice.. i would of got it if i had cash... lol They are nice.