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

[monster 45]

ATTENTION ALL TLCA MEMBERS, AND POTENTIAL FUTURE TLCA MEMBERS. THIS IS
AN URGENT ACTION EDITORIAL FROM THE WEBMASTER OF LANDCRUISAHOLICS.COM.

I havent been a member of TLCA for very long as evidenced by my late
sequence membership number #13,948. I knew about it for a long time and
just never got around to joining. In a way I was a member just by virtue
of owning a cruiser (or two). But finally I sent out the cash and joined
just to make it formal. I fell so in love with the Toyota Trails
Magazine I ordered every back issue they had and read every one from
cover to cover. The publication is a shining star and reason enough to
join TLCA, up until this month.

I went out to my mailbox yesterday and was thrilled to find this
bimonths issue of the "trails". And I didnt pay much attention to the
cover picture at first. I hastily settled down and began a fast read
which certainly would be followed by the cover to cover comprehensive
read later that evening. It was then that I noticed that the photo on
the cover was some kind of sorry excuse for an offroad vehicle, namely a
LEXUS!!!!!

Odd... I was reading Toyota Trails which I reconfirmed by looking at the
title. What gives???? So I looked inside for an explanation. And on Page
4, I read a short editorial by the managing editor of Toyota Trails,
Todd J. Kaderabek that made me ill. He started his one page editorial
"Trailhead" by anticipating the reaction he might get from putting a
LEXUS on the cover of the "trails"; some good, some bad, some unsure. So
I continue reading through an editorial rather empty in content and come
to some very disturbing text at the tailend. Specifically, "So yes,
there is a Lexus LX470 on the cover of your Toyota trails. Some will
love it, some will hate it, some like me will waffle. Has the future
arrived? Well, maybe not just yet, but its peaking its head around the
corner". Then its signed Todd J. Kaderabek.

I read on to the main article of the issue by Nolen Grogan titled,
"British Columbia Backcountry". And what do you know?? More pictures of
the friggin' LEXUS. Then a plug for ARB products and a website address
if you might want more information on...Guess what? --- THE FRIGGIN'
LEXUS!!!!!

What the heck is going on here??? Why would they include primary
pictures of a LEXUS in a publication called TOYOTA TRAILS which is the
publication sanctioned by the Toyota Land Cruiser Association??? Why
include the website contact for more info on a LEXUS in this magazine???
Has the editor gone stark raving mad or just asleep at the wheel???

But far more disturbing than the above are the completely misled,
misdirected comments by Kaderabek at the end of his editorial. What is
implied here by Kaderabek is that the future of this publication and of
the organization may be changing and G*D help us if it involves a
friggin' LEXUS or any other brand for that matter. Now I dont believe
that is what Kaderabek intended to mean but after reading and re-reading
his piece, I can come to no other conclusion as to what he might have
meant. One thing I am certain of and that is a MANAGING EDITOR should
not make any assertion as vague as what he has made. Just as a wheel
rolls, that is his job...

So now what??? Well, to start Kaderabek should clarify what he means?
Why you ask? Because if the Toyota Trails IS changing and the TLCA IS
changing its focus, then my membership in this organization will be
decidedly short. That is so long as this sleepwheeling managing editor
and all the current officers of TLCA are still in their respective
positions.

So in summary and put quite simply for the TLCA to understand, LOSE THE
LEXUS OR LOSE MY MEMBERSHIP!!!!! Didn't quite get that??? Let's TRY it
again... LOSE THE LEXUS OR LOSE MY MEMBERSHIP!!!!!!

And considering that the lifeblood of your organization are the dues we
at large PAY, you might as well drive stakes through all of your
proverbial administrative hearts while you are at it... You all are
accountable for this mistake. Oh what the heck... Your membership
numbers are up as of recently. You wouldn't want the organization to be
TOOOOO successful.

And for those of you TLCA members out there that are as mad as heck like
me, why don't you email these officers and "suits" and tell them you
think they SCREWED THE POOCH on this Toyota Trails issue and that YOU
ARE MAD AS HECK!!!!!!

Their emails are:

todd@larkbooks.com
hatfieldcb@yahoo.com
Wngrog@aol.com
r.c.brown@ieee.org
membership@tlca.org
cruiserfan@worldnet.att.net
jlorincz@tmmna.com
Stone.Nick@epamail.epa.gov
echristiansen@carondelet.com
dcgibbs@yahoo.com
robert.blume@earthlink.net
editor@tlca.org

WITHOUT US, THIS ORGANIZATION AND THEIR JOBS DON'T EXIST. NOW IS THE
TIME TO SPEAK UP...

[woody]

I disagree.

[hatfieldcb]

Sheesh. Lexus IS Toyota. And the fact is the world IS changing. It it were some other brand, you might have a leg to stand on.

Get a grip!

Chris Hatfield, TLCA#2768
Ad Sales Manager, Toyota Trails

[Kaderabek]

"TLCA Individual Membership is open to those individuals and families interested in Toyota 4 wheel drive vehicles. This includes all models of Land Cruisers, 4Runners, and 4x4 trucks."

A Lexus LX470 is manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation, and is a "model of Land Cruiser." As such, it also qualifies to participate in TLCA events, and to appear in Toyota Trails. And this information was verified with the TLCA prior to publishing the article. And of course the vehicle appears in the magazine as well as on the cover because the cover photo and the interior story are related.

The implication of my editorial is that as time passes we are going to see more and more modern Toyota (and Lexus) vehicles on the trail. And as more of them are on the trail, more of them will inevitably appear in Trails. This isn't to say they'll be nosing out 40s and 55s and the like to any disproportionate degree. Just that they'll be going from zero coverage (because they weren't on the trails) to coverage such as what you see in the September/October issue.

As to the truck being a sorry excuse for an off road vehicle, that's one man's opinion that I don't happen to share.

I'd be sorry to see you leave the TLCA over this, and I hope that you don't make this choice. That's your decision though.

Thanks for the feedback.

Todd J. Kaderabek
Toyota Trails

[Brentbba]

IMHO Monster 45 has his head up his arse. Very well put response Todd. I personally enjoyed the pics and story on Christo's oddessy with his Lexus. As stated - it is a TOYOTA Motor Corp. product for god sake! Nuf said.

[wngrog]

Well if you are looking for a more hardcore Cruiserhead, look no further than myself, Nolen Grogan. I love Cruisers. They are the vehicles of my dreams, from the FJ-25 to the Lexus LX470, they are all Cruisers.

Toyota Trails magazine is about all Cruisers Trail buggy's to family haulers. When I took over the "Outside the Box" side of TT, most folks that knew me figured they were in for 6 Cruiserish buggy's over the next year. Hopefully I have proven them wrong with a diverse look at all Landcruisers and other nifty mods folks are doing to them.

If you hated this last issue, just go ahead and have Jacki Miller hold your membership/magazine until '05 because you are going to see more of the Lexus. Truth be told, that Lexus is one of the most all-aroiund capable rigs I have ever ridden in. As I alluded to in my Backcountry article, the Lexus is so well done and modified that it deserves its own writup.

Sir, your opinion was shared by a few, but most folks in this organization love all Toyotas, whether or not they are badged Landcruiser has no bearing.

I, as Todd said, hope we do not lose such a passionate member as yourself just because of the plastic Lexus badging on the heart of a Toyota Land Cruiser.

There are very few Lexus' in this country that will grace the pages of TT, much less the Outside the Box column, but if there are others deemed worthy I hope to have the honor of writing them up.

Cool out and have some fun, we certainly are!

[wngrog]

Originally Posted by monster 45

WITHOUT US, THIS ORGANIZATION AND THEIR JOBS DON'T EXIST.

BTW, this is a volunteer effert for the most part, so the term "jobs" should be used lightly.

[jesterb]

Todd, you were very diplomatic in your response, I commend you. I also commend Christo for having the balls to build and wheel a $65k truck. Hell, any jake leg with a Lincoln buzz box can build an oldie. Monster, you should have read the bi-laws before you joined. You also should have thought about the repercussions that spouting off at the mouth will have on your business. I hope you change your mind on this issue.

[Kaderabek]

You all ok down there in Mississippi?

TJK

[orangefj45]

damn frank. everything ok? i know it says lexus, but most parts even interchange with a late model cruiser, so what gives?

bummer you could'nt make it to the 45 run.

and i doubt you're gonna see a whole lot more LEXUSs on the cover; how many have you seen on the trail? i don't think there are too many lexus owners out there that even consider taking their rig offroad, never mind that type of trail.

i found the article somewhat entertaining and would love to have a lexus wheel with us, just to watch him blow up his junk!

[jesterb]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

You all ok down there in Mississippi?

TJK

Yeah we dodged a bullet on that one. Gulf Shores, Al wasn't so lucky. Looks like yall get more rain.

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by jesterb

Yeah we dodged a bullet on that one. Gulf Shores, Al wasn't so lucky. Looks like yall get more rain.

Glad to hear you're alright.

Forecast here is for 15"-17" more rain. High winds too. Gonna be ugly.

TJK

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

Forecast here is for 15"-17" more rain. High winds too. Gonna be ugly.

TJK

Yikes! I'll send you some scuba gear.

Chris

[Kaderabek]

We got 15" out of Frances too.

TJK

(Thread almost hijacked....)

[Landpimp]

asshat! go play with your 200K fj45...........

if you don't know a Lexus is a Land Cruiser.

back in the day folks said the same thing about the 80 series, which out of the box is prolly more capable then your 45

oh I noticed your nice link to everyones favorite LC vendor
http://www.landcruisaholics.com/links.html

I have no respect for anyone linked to VIntage..........so fawk off and die!


and if you drop off TLCA I will pay for the lost membership.........which IMOP is no loss at all

AFAIK and most everyone I know Todd is doing a GREAT job with TT........keep up the good work Todd

John H

[Man Jerk]

Our Toyota Trials Volunteers deserve much more respect than that. These people work hard to put out an outstanding magazine. I for one enjoyed reading about the Lexus in question. It's cool to see how they can slightly modify a so called "Soccer Mom SUV" and do what we all want them too.

Keep up the great work guys!

[nakman]

why don't you email these officers and "suits"...

Who tf is a suit? see ya, dude. Keep it up, TT staff, every issue is better than the last.

[wob]

Hey, thanks for your opinion. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, douchebag.

[jesterb]

Originally Posted by Landpimp

asshat! go play with your 200K fj45...........

Exactly how many Toyota parts do you have on that thing anyway. Goes right back to my "jake leg with a buzz box comment". Now dont get me wrong, I'm cool with V8's and dana 60's, but lets call a spade a spade. Christo's Lexus is 100% more of a Land Cruiser than that monstrosity of a rig that you so loosely call a fj45. And to top it off, your in bed with Mushro .

[TexomaFJ40]

I sense much anger in you....

Yoda

[Landpimp]

BEAUTIFULL!!!! so so true

Originally Posted by jesterb

Exactly how many Toyota parts do you have on that thing anyway. Goes right back to my "jake leg with a buzz box comment". Now dont get me wrong, I'm cool with V8's and dana 60's, but lets call a spade a spade. Christo's Lexus is 100% more of a Land Cruiser than that monstrosity of a rig that you so loosely call a fj45. And to top it off, your in bed with Mushro .

[fj55-100]

Hey i will put my LEXUS 4.7 powered fj55 up against any 40yr old chevey conversion.
goes like stink, factory e/lockers,heated leather seats,ac ,and 22mpg,and ITS ALL TOYOTA MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Todd K ,,niceley said.
TLCA ROCKS

[wngrog]

So Todd and I were sitting around the Toyota Trails Editorial office today having a few drinks with our feet up on the desk and this came across the wire.

Man, the office is buzzing today!

Well, gotta go, Brooks Brothers is having a 30% off sale on suits.......

[Landpimp]

see if you can get me a new Pimp suit

Originally Posted by wngrog

So Todd and I were sitting around the Toyota Trails Editorial office today having a few drinks with our feet up on the desk and this came across the wire.

Man, the office is buzzing today!

Well, gotta go, Brooks Brothers is having a 30% off sale on suits.......

[Kaderabek]

Wait, you forgot to make my martini!



TJK

[woody]

Stay out of my Signature Woody!

hehehehe...could you please pass the cheap plastic bottle of yellow mustard when you have a moment?

[Texican]

Who the fawk is this bozo anyway, someone tell me?
Butch

[Slowerthanu]

Personally, I loved the issue. A little diversity within the brand is an excellent thing. A Toyota is a Toyota.

If you really want to get uptight then I can say (And this is complete sarcasm) how dare you put a Chevy V8 in your Toyota!

I look forward to Nolen's stories more than anything else in TT, He has really brought something special to the magazine and I look forward to more interesting stories on that awesome Lex Cruiser.