What do you want to see in Toyota Trails?

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

I'll tell you what -- just for you, I'll burn the midnight oil and make certain that there is some Canadian coverage in the May/June issue. Oh, the things I'll do....

TJK

Now the Australians will want in, too.

[Kaderabek]

Mr. McRae has yet to cough anything up....

TJK

[cajun65]

I've just been running through this, but how about a "how-to" article on recording a resto/mod job? I know of two in the local area that are going to be brought back to life - one a victim of Hurricane Katrina and the other just left to die in the elements. I firmly believe they will come back as incredible rigs because I know the owners. What's the best way to make sure a "journal" of it survives for others to learn from and remember?

Other than that, I think the magazine is great. I think as a still-newb LC owner, it's a good balance for me and I save every issue.

[Kaderabek]

Sounds good to me. The only hitch I sometimes run into with articles like this is length. You'll need to be concise and take clear photos. And don't post it to the web....

TJK

[mailking]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

TLCA is a mainly volunteer organization and while Trails does pay for submitted material, it's a pittance.
TJK

We would be happy to contribute to the TT!
We met Harold Stevens in Bangkok and learned about the TLCA and the TT.

We have been on the road for 4 years now with our BJ45 [model 84] and have some amazing stories about: Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

We are writing for some magazines, not to become rich or anything, but just to keep us on the road and continue what has become our lifestyle.

We are in Brazil right now, and on our way to south Argentina [hoping to arrive in December] and eventually [in a few years] end up in North America as well..

If TT is interested in publishing our stories, contact us through our website:
www.landcruising.nl



Keep the rubber side down...
Karin-Marijke and Coen

[Kaderabek]

Excellent. Editor@tlca.org. Definitely interested. Let's talk.

TJK

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by cajun65

I've just been running through this, but how about a "how-to" article on recording a resto/mod job?

I'm planning an article on rust repair on the rockers on my 71 FJ40. The biggest challenge will be length, as Todd mentions above. Having written a number of articles for Trails over the years, I'm familiar with the editing process and keeping the balance between making the article interesting, informative, yet fit in the space contraints. I just hope I can get some color this time :-)

Originally Posted by cajun65

I know of two in the local area that are going to be brought back to life - one a victim of Hurricane Katrina and the other just left to die in the elements. I firmly believe they will come back as incredible rigs because I know the owners.

That would be fantastic!

Some things I want to share are too lengthy to fit in Trails and still keep the level of detail I wish to convey: for example the full-up resto on my 76 FJ40 is documented in some detail (up to 30 pages now) on my web space, see link in sig line below. A lot of folks have written me over the years, and/or come up to me in person, and thanked me for sharing. My reply is always first "thanks so much!", and second, that I have learned so much from so many generous mentors over the years, that it's just the right thing to do to give back to the community.

Alternatively, if I can fit it into a page or three of copy and photos, I prefer Trails over web space. Having it in glossy magazine pages is certainly nicer than ordinary web pages.

Originally Posted by cajun65

What's the best way to make sure a "journal" of it survives for others to learn from and remember?

That's a darn good question without any one, cut-and-dried answer. I'd say foremost, get it down in writing as you go along before you forget! Certainly take lots of photos as you go. It's makes the job take longer, but it helps so many folks out. Good luck and happy cruisin'!

[cajun65]

Agreed on the above. Maybe we can do that from the Bayou State LCA angle. And maybe the hook will be all these LC's that went under during our two hurricanes? Maybe some Florida folks could contribute if I ask around. We just met up with a group out of New Orleans that had been organizing right up until Katrina and they scatttered, but are coming back. They have some rigs that need a new life.

I'll talk with my buds and see what we come up with. Might make for a real interesting story.

[cajun65]

Originally Posted by mailking

We would be happy to contribute to the TT!
We met Harold Stevens in Bangkok and learned about the TLCA and the TT.

We have been on the road for 4 years now with our BJ45 [model 84] and have some amazing stories about: Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

We are writing for some magazines, not to become rich or anything, but just to keep us on the road and continue what has become our lifestyle.

We are in Brazil right now, and on our way to south Argentina [hoping to arrive in December] and eventually [in a few years] end up in North America as well..

If TT is interested in publishing our stories, contact us through our website:
www.landcruising.nl



Keep the rubber side down...
Karin-Marijke and Coen

Yep, sign him up!

[VT Fj-40 Owner]

I like Tech and Maintenance stuff, especially because I am no mechanic.

[fjman]

I would like to see a couple of members trucks showcased each month. I know there is usually one in each issue but as the issues are bi-monthly, maybe 3 or 4 would be better!

Maybe one with a truck/owner with a good story behind it, one or two modified rigs and a prestine restoration example could give the publication a little more content. Just a thought.

[Isotel]

Id like to see Featured Rigs with Full writups, like 4 pages.. Listing all the Specs and details.. Similar to how Crawl Mag dose there writeups..

other than that, more photos are always good, and get rid of the dam FJC Cardboard ads, i always tear them out first thing..

Keep up the good work guys!

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by Isotel

and get rid of the dam FJC Cardboard ads, i always tear them out first thing..

Noted. One vote "against" cardboard inserts. Those have been gone for at least a couple of issues.

Now, how many of you, besides me, want to see more ads?

[third coast cruisers]

i know i was a little bummed thet the classified section is now a page or so. it seems to me that most of that sections space is eaten up (in the actual pub) by ads even more so toyota trail ads. but don't get me wrong i have had the oppertunity to watch the publication blossom from those black and white things printed on left over manila folders to something beautiful. we are grateful as well appreciative to have such a fine publication. i know that the sale/wanted section is sorta prehistoric in comparison to the internet, however i think that it is necessary for some of the club's populus.

readers rides is cool.

i am surprised that there are no products that toyota trails could test and review.


i was always an adventurer with my cruiser i really enjoy those types of stories as well. one type of section that would also be interesting would be some articles written up again on LC's at work use the clubs in the area to clue you in on some LC's at work. Here in the dirty south of louisiana we have several salt mines with some non USA models that are dismantled and brought down into the salt mine used up and left there. just an idea.

i loved the race coverage of the baja really nice. TOYOTA POWER

thanks for your time and effort it is def showing,

dan p

[Kaderabek]

We haven't cut the For Sale and Photo Shop section to one page. That's just all we have. With filler.

It's that damned internet!

TJK

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

We haven't cut the For Sale and Photo Shop section to one page. That's just all we have. With filler.

It's that damned internet!

TJK

LOL! Yeah, no kidding. If you want to sell your rig pronto (or not), internet is probably much more effective. Given the realities of the here and now, I wouldn't mind seeing the rigs for sale go away from TT and instead put content in there that would otherwise be squeezed out.

[third coast cruisers]

like some more sale ads for back issues of toyota trails. is that the space that the wanted and sale sections is taking away from? i remember at one time that it was pert of our membership package to have the ability to post a want/sale ad in toyota trails.

i guess no one noticed the other compliments and positive observations i have seen in toyota trails......... b/c like anyone else that has a TLCA# in the 4 thousands knows what used to be compared to the high quality publication included in today's membership package.

love the work still,

dan p

[Kaderabek]

I appreciate the compliments and will certainly pass them along.

As to product testing, that would imply we have a staff. We don't. Just a bunch of volunteers and semi-volunteers working in our spare time.

The back issues are the best sellers amongst merchandise. That said, the older ones are the first to be removed when we need the space.

You can post wanted and/or for sale ads in Trails. Free to members.

TJK

[Boston Mangler]

I would like to see more racing 80 series coverage for the 2008 season!

[Kaderabek]

The poll is kind of interesting to me. With the exception of Trail Reports, what people want is directly inverse to what they submit.

Tech (like woody's hybrid axle article) 35 18.52%
Maintenance (like how to adjust your valves) 51 26.98%
Trail Reports (like Cruise Moab 05 for example) 50 26.46%
Adventure (like the Tuby Explorer Series) 28 14.81%

We get a lot of adventure and trail reports and next to nothing on maintenance or tech (clearly not factoring in what Mark submits). Just strikes me as odd.

TJK

[JohnnyC]

i want to see toyota sewing machines

[Kaderabek]

And Toyota guitars.

TJK

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

The poll is kind of interesting to me. With the exception of Trail Reports, what people want is directly inverse to what they submit.

Tech (like woody's hybrid axle article) 35 18.52%
Maintenance (like how to adjust your valves) 51 26.98%
Trail Reports (like Cruise Moab 05 for example) 50 26.46%
Adventure (like the Tuby Explorer Series) 28 14.81%

We get a lot of adventure and trail reports and next to nothing on maintenance or tech (clearly not factoring in what Mark submits). Just strikes me as odd.

TJK

Trail reports are "relatively" quick and easy. You're out there on the trail, OF COURSE you brought your camera! When you return home you're all excited about it, and the trip is fresh in your head.

Tech takes a lot more discipline: you have to kind of recognize when to shoot the photos (logical steps in the project), you have to compose them well, and when you do the write up it takes more thinking about how to compose it in such a way that's helpful to the reader. You have to (or at least I try to) think about making it interesting and helpful for a fairly broad range of reader's abilities. Too detailed and you'll lose the more experienced wrenches, too simple and it won't help the n00b. And it makes whatever the project is take more time than it would if you simply went about the task at hand.

It's been over 6 years since I submitted my "How to install a Lockright" article. I promise you an article on rust repairing the rockers on my 71. I just have to get around to DOING the project :-)

But if it's more tech/maintenance readers want, I'll be happy to make more submissions. One that crossed my mind recently for my web site, but I could save for Trails if you'd like, is "What to look for in buying your first Land Cruiser". A fellow emailed me recently asking advice on this subject, and it occurs to me that this might be of interest to some segment of Trails readers. Maybe they already have a runner or mini; I've met quite a few new FJC owners who are considering getting an old school 40. Another one I've considered for my web site but would be happy to send your way if you'd like is "What is a basic tune-up?". What all does it entail, and how do you do it? Frankly none of the manuals are very concise about this.

Anyway, now that I've seen the poll, I'll be thinking more about pulling out my camera when doing what I consider routine maintenance like adjusting the valves or ignition timing or...

Happy cruisin'!