Welcome. What part of SoCal are you in? The SoCal Chapter of NAXJA has some great guys in it and they will help you find an MJ.
I have spent many years in the SoCal desert. Who were you wheeling with that had a MJ?
I moved your introduction post to the pub. Post up in the wanted section exactly what you are looking for and also check out the good, bad and rusty thread in the not your stuff section of the classifieds.
Don't turn away from a nice 2wd either. Making it 4wd is a bolt in affair and the NAXJA SoCal Chapter will bend over backwards to help you out.