IPOR
IronPigOffroad.com
Those who know me know I love FJ55's, but there is something cool about open top cruising that cannot be denied. My passion for Land Cruisers began with the FJ40. I remember my first job out of college sitting in stand still traffic on I-495 (Wash DC capital beltway) in a suit in the pouring rain with my 40 sporting nothing but a bikini top. Funny thing is I didn't get nods of empathy, I got nods of approval. All the people stuck in the rat race, driving their BMW's and Benz's, trying to break free from their cookie cutter lifestyle saw their freedom personified.
Fast forward nearly 20 years. I've owned a Land Cruiser (or on average about 12 per year) continuously. Married and with kids I'm looking to put something in the garage that captures this moment, but is safer and more enjoyable to drive.
It should be mentioned that during this time span my AAD (Advanced Automotive Disorder) has grown worse, and I have since given up the suit and tie, corporate lifestyle, and traffic (not to mention a steady paycheck!) to pursue my passion for quality fabrication and now own IPOR Inc. This thread is not about IPOR. This obsession is not about IPOR. I have basically quit my day job (at IPOR) and do nothing but work on the FZJ40. Worse still, I absorb incredible amounts of resources with my disorder. If not for the talents of my staff this would be impossible. Vince is an incredibly smart and capable technician, and Jack is equally as talented with body work. John Embrey is so knowledgeable about cruisers, our restorations would not be the same without him. Cam, who I brought on as a friend just helping me to get the job done two years ago, has become my right hand man. (that's old skool talk for saying he knows his sh!t) Cam keeps the business running when I'm off on a tangent like this. Not only a talented welder/fabricator, he also knows the in and out of Land Cruisers like no one I've ever met. But this obsession is not about them.
This is about the pursuit of the perfect 40. (for me, not you) I am not Gary, for whom I have the upmost respect. Project X is amazing. My project began about 4 years ago when I bought a crashed 80 from my friend Todd Oldenburg... on an extended payment plan until we knew that it ran... (I'm close Todd, check's in the mail!) Over the years I nipped and cut, trying to find the perfect balance between the rugged capability and spartan interior that we collectively love in the 40 and the refined capability that we love in the 80.
This thread is about my FZJ40.
to be continued....
Fast forward nearly 20 years. I've owned a Land Cruiser (or on average about 12 per year) continuously. Married and with kids I'm looking to put something in the garage that captures this moment, but is safer and more enjoyable to drive.
It should be mentioned that during this time span my AAD (Advanced Automotive Disorder) has grown worse, and I have since given up the suit and tie, corporate lifestyle, and traffic (not to mention a steady paycheck!) to pursue my passion for quality fabrication and now own IPOR Inc. This thread is not about IPOR. This obsession is not about IPOR. I have basically quit my day job (at IPOR) and do nothing but work on the FZJ40. Worse still, I absorb incredible amounts of resources with my disorder. If not for the talents of my staff this would be impossible. Vince is an incredibly smart and capable technician, and Jack is equally as talented with body work. John Embrey is so knowledgeable about cruisers, our restorations would not be the same without him. Cam, who I brought on as a friend just helping me to get the job done two years ago, has become my right hand man. (that's old skool talk for saying he knows his sh!t) Cam keeps the business running when I'm off on a tangent like this. Not only a talented welder/fabricator, he also knows the in and out of Land Cruisers like no one I've ever met. But this obsession is not about them.
This is about the pursuit of the perfect 40. (for me, not you) I am not Gary, for whom I have the upmost respect. Project X is amazing. My project began about 4 years ago when I bought a crashed 80 from my friend Todd Oldenburg... on an extended payment plan until we knew that it ran... (I'm close Todd, check's in the mail!) Over the years I nipped and cut, trying to find the perfect balance between the rugged capability and spartan interior that we collectively love in the 40 and the refined capability that we love in the 80.
This thread is about my FZJ40.
to be continued....