Lose The Lexus Or Lose My Membership !!!!!!!!

[Kaderabek]

We'll just assume you mean SoCal.

TJK

[jesterb]

Originally Posted by sleeoffroad

if not for the current models etc etc, would you have been able to walk into the dealer and purchase oem parts for your rig.

Doesn't look like he has been doing much of that.

[firetruck41]

Kudos to the TLCA officers for your time and efforts, Toyota Trails is top notch and I am glad to see a progressive approach to Land Cruisers, with articles on old and new LCs.
Keep up the good work.

EDIT: monster45, anyone that knowingly links to Vintage Off Road is an ASSHAT, if you care about TLC's you wouldn't be involved with a decieving used car dealer like that, who only takes advantage of the TLC community and does nothing to make it better.

[informationjunky]

When I first read his post, I kind of thought it was just someone yanking peoples chains...It least I hope that is what its intent was and not serious.

[informationjunky]

Originally Posted by haystax

What I'm really pissed about is that you must mail that thing out in order of TLCA member number because mine doesn't show up until a week after you jerks brag about how good the new issue is and spoil the surprise for me.

Keep up the good work and if you get too busy to ride bitch on these trips please let me know, I maybe know someone who could free up time to go in your place.

I wish, mine showed up yesterday! This is the first year I haven't paid for first.

[nakman]

You guys are sooooooo jealous.. start the bidding

[Kaderabek]

Hey man, somebody scribbled all over your Trails!

TJK

[fytattoo]

im a newbie to the sport,the club and cruisers...when i got my issue it was my second one...i giggled a bit and didnt know what to think...but being a tattoo artist by trade i usually have a pretty open mind about things...i wasnt sure what to think when i saw the lexus on the cover...but i kept an open mind about it...it was a great article...of course i want to hear more about fj40's at this moment because im building my first 2 FJ40's(and trying to keep as much of them toyota as possible)...but i still read it cover to cover twice...im also a family man and i like my comfee cush toys...so eventually i will have something with air and heated leather seats for winter trail riding in minnesota...the funny thing was i didnt know that the lexus was mainly toyota, never payed attention...now it makes all the sense in the world...keep putting in the trails in fact i may go out and get me some lexus heated leather memory seats to put in my 69 FJ40...i have been looking into clubs to join and have found that cruiser/toyota people are for the most part good people sharing an idea and exchanging knowledge of what they have done, freely...its a great thing to see and im glad to be apart of it...

ive noticed there is kind of a little status symbol in regards to your TLCA # so what does it take to get some ones number who doesnt fit in the community and doesnt want theres...haha...nevermind... im proud to be a newbie

TLCA#14441

[snailwagon]

I guess a little bit of change in modern times is scary for some. Wow, all I can say is sexual frustration is probably the cause of this entire thread. There is not any subject that everyone can agree on. There is always the angry minority who will never change anything, especially with only words. We've all been there. This thread was just a big waste of my time, I wouldn't have even read it if it wasn't being mocked on pirate.

[HomeGrown]

well put christo. and when you get those lexus symbols off i will takem. and put them on my toyota pickup. i give christo props on building a lexus to go offroading. no one else has done that much work to a lexus yet. and to see it on the the cover of TT i was proud. i saw all the work that he put into that truck. christo and ben spent a lot of time on it. to see that all that hard work did pay off. slee makes the coolest stuff for fj-80's out there.

and for monster45, you dont know your ass form a hole in the ground. talking shit about a toyota with a lexus symbol on the front of it. you drive a dam JEEP from the sounds of it. you have no ground to stand on. with your chevy motor and your dana axels. i dig 40's hell i even put the bezel on the front of my mini truck. at lest i can call it a toyota.



FUCK OFF ITS HOMEGROWN BITCH

[ginericLC]

Originally Posted by Eric_FJ40

So now TT is evolving with us and is covering more of the wagon series. If that means that the occasional Lexus gets thrown in the mix I am okay with that - after all, it's just a Land Cruiser in disguise!

Eric Dobson
FLCA #121
TLCA #12045

That is what my dad's license plate frame says, "Land Cruiser in Lexus disguise" He drive a LX450.

[trainrech]

My wife says I can wheel (and for that matter, modify) our 100 as soon as it is paid for...by then we'll have anti-gravity cars.

Donations are welcome!

[Owyhee Jackass]

Personally, I was disgusted by the Rover on the cover...what do you expect from amaters? At least he (editor) proof read his editorial this time.

[TomH]

You know, I've been meaning to join TLCA for a while and after eading this thread, I jumped over to TLCA.org and signed up.

Tom

[1Fine40]

All are entitled to their own opinions and tastes....that being said, Frank, go pound sand! Or maybe that is what you were doing, and now you are a bit chafed.... Flipoff

[NorCalDoug]

Physician heal thyself.

So is it safe for me to assume that my Lexus wouldn't be welcome to wheel with your "pure" Land Cruiser? So be it.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be in paradise.

[helocat]

Originally Posted by TomH

You know, I've been meaning to join TLCA for a while and after eading this thread, I jumped over to TLCA.org and signed up.

Tom

Tom Thank you!

All:
As several have pointed out the TLCA is exactly what each member puts into it. If you have never held a position on the board of directors (BOD) I suggest you look into it. The TLCA will evolve directly as to the input by the members. I know from personal experience as the previous TLCA rep for the Cascade Cruisers for two years. The BOD is 100% volunteers that give up their wrenching/wheeling or time with family to participate in conference calls through out the year. (sometimes several hours long) Then if you are an active participant on the BOD you then spend many hours between the meetings hammering things out with others on special committees. Even if you are not on a committee you may spend hours reading e-mails and talking to your club to properly voice the opinions of those you represent. It takes its toll and takes your time, but its also participating with action not just words. Each and every ACTIVE participating person in the governing body of the TLCA deserves a thank you for the work they put in to it.

Want to change it? Get involved. The TLCA needs everyone, INCLUDING those whose opinions are not the popular vote. (i.e. Back in the day when the idea of letting mini trucks and 4 runners join the LandCruiser exclusive at that time TLCA. They are in now and make us stronger healthier. There is a reason we don’t all have the same hair cut or radio stations in our trucks. Our individuality makes us stronger.)

Let talk the Trails. A few years ago the TLCA was put in a tough position - the editor quit on terms. This was seen a number of times by the BOD/TLCA over the years with the same editor. Each time the terms were met and the editor came back, yet this last time did not look good. That’s when the current editor stepped up the plate, Todd Kaderabek. In the first 6 issues of the trails TLCA members and advertisers saw something new. The magazine was produced and shipped on time for every issue. No longer was the Nov/Dec issue showing up mid to late Dec. Todd also being a professional editor in the real world (the job that feeds his family) he looked at the business side of the Trails. Todd right away discovered the members of the TLCA were getting price gouged by the publisher/printer. (Thousands of $’s over the years) He reduced the cost to print the magazine by several thousand dollars per year, and still upgraded the quality of paper it is printed on! Advertisers are coming back and new ones are being landed every day by Chris Hatfeild's sales skills and Todd’s ability to deliver a quality product on time every time. Over the years each custodial editor has evolved the Trails from the three pieces of stapled paper I used to get in collage. Every editor over the years has put a tremendous amount of personal investment in producing a top notch publication. And fortunately for the members of the TLCA each editor just takes it to the next level. Todd you and your staff are doing an amazing job and by far produce the best publication of its kind.

Frank keep sharing your thoughts, you are needed by the TLCA just like the TLCA needs all the other opinions others have posted. These are great trucks, lets have fun.

Mark Hawley
TLCA #1137

[yooper]

TLCA

TJK

Trails

Frank, have a and think about the customers you just lost by being an asshat. I sure as hell won't be buying anything from you, ever.

[cruiseroutfit]

Im a hater-hater....

TLCA Rules...

Trails Rules...

[Junk]

Monster.

Gee, I look at your post count and I see 1 post. Then I see you reference one site and it is the ultimate fuckhead's site.

You obviously have a small penis and are quite upset that even your mom laughs at it daily.

Yes, a Lexus on the cover.

Monster and Haysux in the same post griping about it. Go figure.

Wake up dumbass. It's 2004. When the 40 rolled out, likely some 25 owners didn't like it. When each new model rolled out, likely some scoffed at it or thought it was not cool. Who cares.

Slee continues to push the limits with modern cruisers to the same extent, although via another direction, as all the hard core dudes do with their bugged out 40's.

If you get 100 cruiser owners together and ask them what the ideal rig is, you'll likely get a spectrum of answers. That's because we are all different and all have different objectives.

TLCA is a world class organization and Toyota Trails is a world class magazine.

Now please just go away.

[BionicCruiser]

our TLCA chapter has a Lexus LX450 like socaldoug's...w/ all 3 factory lockers. SWEET ride! can't tell it from a FZJ80. of course that member has a cruiser stable that may only be eclipsed by Landpimp's. i didn't think twice about the Lexus on the cover, and started reading the great quality articles. i even read the minitruck tech article and i don't own a mini. can't wait to see a complete write up the 470. Great article Nolan! Monster, your opinion is noted. proves you can't make everyone happy all the time.

i am a delegate to TLCA and i totally support Todd and all the people that make TLCA run. i couldnt be happier with the direction TLCA is taking. Todd, looks like the majority love what you are doing. keep it up!

Shawn Williams
President- High Desert Cruisers

[atoyot]

I can't really think of a response that hasn't already been mentioned. I just want to be a part of this historical thread. BTW the most exciting part of the article was the self setting pop tent side note. I have to get me one of those. I'm also looking forward to the next Lexus article "Adjusting the surround sound for the rear DVD player".

[KLF]

Others have done well to point out how much of a dumbass this "Monster 45" guy is, I won't bother.

But I will say this about Lexus. I recently sold my beloved FJ62 for several reasons, I'll miss it dearly. I looked at a lot of cars, everything from BMWs to VWs, with a very critical eye. I did a lot of research and homework, took a lot of test drives, and had to endure a LOT of crap from used car salesmen. Purchasing a vehicle is something I take very seriously. I ended up buying a '98 Lexus ES300, I bought it from a Lexus dealer that had originally leased it new and had taken it in on trade for a new one.

I couldn't be happier with the car. And it didn't matter to the dealer that I was buying a 6 year old car with 60K miles on it for less than 1/2 of it's original purchase price and they were not making a huge markup on it like I'm sure they do on the new units. They treated me like a king, very professional, the customer service is first rate. Just this morning the Service Manager called me personally because she understood I had a question about it's previous history. She was very happy to print it out and send it to me in the mail. The owner's manual in the glove box was a little tattered and dog-eared... not a problem, just go to lexus.com and register your VIN, they sent me a new set of manuals free of charge.

But underneath, this car is a Toyota, no question about it. Toyota names all over the place, especially under the hood. You could say it's just a Camry wearing a tuxedo. Everything about the car is just a little bit more refined, a little more comfortable, etc.

My son just started a Toyota/Lexus training program at the local community college, Toyota goes out of their way to support this program. His advisor used to work for Lexus, he says they are incredibly customer-focused. I already know what my next car will be, I want one of those new IS300 SportCross models.

[Landpimp]

fixed it for ya

Originally Posted by Romer

Ken Romer - Proud member of the TLCA and Rising Sun 4x4 club and Lexus owner.

[Landpimp]

Christo............

maybe we should be talking about this over on Franks site.........he does have a 100 series forum ya know
http://landcruisaholics.com/forum/

Originally Posted by sleeoffroad

Uhm, lets see, if you knew your Land Cruisers as you say you do you would know that the US version of the Lexus is sold as is, with all the options in Japan as a Land Cruiser. OK, the grill is different, but all the options that make it a Lexus is available on the the Land Cruiser. Memory Seats, skyhook hydraulic suspension etc.

The only conclusion that I can make is that you then say that the 100 series is also a sorry excuse for a Land Cruiser and Todd must never feature one of those, oh, he did a couple months ago. Why did you not shout then?

Would it be more of a Cruiser if I rip the 4.7 motor out and replace with a Chevy 350, put a L46E (or whatever, I happen to know Toyota tranny numbers) tranny it it with Atlas transfercase and some portals or Dana axles? Hell, I could swap the badging to Toyota, should be easy, chaning the hood and lights (which are just about the only exterior pieces that are different) might be a little more difficult.

Just one word, Toyota did not stop existing when they stopped making the FJ40. If it was not for the current models etc etc, would you have been able to walk into the dealer and purchase oem parts for your rig. Hell no, if they were still trying to sell the FJ40 (and few other cars that they started with in the US) I think they would be out of business.

Psst, read this http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/03/0929.html

Oh, and for the other comments on the cost of the vehicle, hey a 1998 LX470 does not go for $60k. It has a 100k miles on it and I am pretty sure I have less money it in than Nolen in his genuine Toyota FJwhateveritisthisweeksinceIwillchangeitnextweek

Plus I was asked by one of the SUITS from TLCA for a ride. Hell, I thought he was going to show up in a suit so I had to have a decent ride for him. If he was exposed to the elements in a open top FJ45 he might have gotten his facts wrong on the trip and actually wrote an article on expedition wheeling and that it is possible to do that in the us, instead of a inflamatory article on vehicles that should never belong in the trails. I guess that Taco does not count since it was probably made in Canada or some other country. Also the FJ60 did not count either.

Ok, I have to go to the shop now and remove those Lexus symbols. I just can't take it anymore.

Psst Frank, nice of you to keep the Toyota sheetmetal on that 45. If it was not for that I could have sworn it was some chevy mudbogger from the south (no offence to any Lexus drivers in the south )