200 LC reliabilty and Squirrel meat.

[patrickfinley]

Has anyone had their 200LC fail on them without some sort of warning sign?

There is a forum member Pagemaster that owned a 98 100 series LC. I think he was 16 at the time and his Land Cruiser failed him in the Northern Canadian wilderness. He was stranded for days and ate Squirrel meat to survive. Since then he is quite convinced that the 100 series as well as the 200 series are junk.

I have tried to search for this story, Pagemaster could you retell this story for us? It would be good to hear about the events, prior, during and after the event, and what you did to survive.

While not completly tech related, this could serve as a checklist so to speak when heading out into remote territory with our 100 and 200 series rigs. Signs perhaps to listen or look for before undertaking risky journeys, or things a mechanic should check out for us.

 

[NQCruiser]

While not completly tech related, this could serve as a checklist so to speak when heading out into remote territory with our 100 and 200 series rigs. Signs perhaps to listen or look for before undertaking risky journeys, or things a mechanic should check out for us.

In before the lock!!

Seriously, squirrel gun is a must have accessory - I'm surprised Toyota are allowed to sell a LandCruiser in Canada without one as standard equipment actually......

Oh, and two sticks to rub together...to attract the squirrels within range. A real LandCruiser owner would start a fire using the onboard cigarette lighter and his/her Warranty paperwork....

 

[Combat Chuck]

Before you guys get onto the subject of bashing on them who eat squirrel, I have to say this:
I grew up eating small game, including tree rat.

It's good meat.
Now, just so you don't think I'm some inbred yo-yo with no teeth, I'll just mention that I'm in college, double-majoring in United States History (from 1860-1919) and English Literature (specifically the works of Theodore Roosevelt, and Earnest Hemmingway). I am an Eagle Scout; I have three years of formal culinary school education, and two years' apprenticeship as a butcher. I'm not some hillybilly idiot, so when I say squirrel and crawfish are two of my favorite critters in the world to tuck into, it's no joke.

On the subject of Cruiser reliability, owner neglect can be quite a bitch.

 

[NQCruiser]

Not knocking you CC, just wasn't too sure if it was common practice. I got told they were basically disease carrying vermin when I was over there years ago. Might have been a case of "let's f#%k with the Aussie guy" happening too...

 

[patrickfinley]

I've heard Squirrel meat isn't half bad as well.

Besides paying attention to anything out of normal with your rig I guess the emergency safety/food/water items in the back are always necessary. Then there are firearms if you so desire, perhaps a bear rifle if you happen to be in Grizzly country. I've spoken to Planet Alaska and he's driven his 200LC to some of the most remote inhospitable areas in far north Alaska and the Yukon. I don't think he's ever had a gun. I'm not sure if he had a satellite phone, plb, ham or not.

I've got one of these on my list for future backcountry tours. It's a PLB much more reliable than "FindMeSpot" and there's no subscription fee. It's a bit simple with just a "Help" button and no other communications, but if your in real trouble do you need anything other than "Help"?
http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/products/product.html?product_type=2&product_sector=1&product=101

 

[Combat Chuck]

Not knocking you CC, just wasn't too sure if it was common practice. I got told they were basically disease carrying vermin when I was over there years ago. Might have been a case of "let's f#%k with the Aussie guy" happening too...

Hey, no harm done. I just wanted to advocate tree rat! It was all just a run-up for my closing statement, honestly. I do hope you didn't take my response as a negative reaction, too.

FWIW, in a survival situation, squirrel is terrible for you: it's too lean, guaranteed protein poisoning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation
You need some fat in your food to keep you ticking!
Were I stranded, I would drop the subject matter of squirrel all together, and go after brush game birds: quail, dove, pidgeon, grouse. Those breeds tend to build up stores of fat, which you ca use.

 

[phatairman]

Thanks CC- Learned something new today.

 

[mystican]

More information regarding this incident would be nice...

 

[ST8ROCKS]

Sounds like a far-fetched story from a guy who seems to have owned every Toyota product at one point in time. Didn't you see his post where he compares a Toyota forklift to the 200 LC? Forklift is much better vehicle because of its higher GVWR.

But knowing him it should be interesting... I'll play along

 

[patrickfinley]

Pagemaster, would you be willing to share your story of survival with us?