April 2025 Club Meeting

[Otis]

Note the time change! We will meet on Sunday, April 6, at ***4:00 P.M.***

You definitely don't want to miss this meeting! We will be doing a Tools & Parts Tech Talk about what tools and spare parts to have in your truck for trail fixes!

As usual, we will meet at club member Rich Petrulio's open space property in Modjeska Canyon (AKA, "The Dirt"), where we can park our rigs, and set out our camp chairs in a big circle. The property address is 17336 Croatian Street, Silverado, 92676. To get there, turn off Santiago Canyon Road onto Modjeska Canyon Road. Go just about 1/2 mile and turn right on Croatian, into the cul-de-sac, and the property is on the left. There is only one building - per Rich, it's a big A.S.S. or Agricultural Storage Shed (what else could it be, right?). The rest of the property is just dirt and trees. Bring your favorite camp chair, and your own food & drinks - just like we do on our club runs.

 

[menancyandsam]

Can you video the tech talk & upload to our website?

 

[Live to Ski]

Can you video the tech talk & upload to our website?

second that motion.

 

[Otis]

We need a volunteer to record…

 

[Otis]

FYI - the Tools & Parts Tech Talk was postponed until next month's meeting. We also plan to have a swap meet during the May meeting.

 

[Retro LC]

Tools & Parts Tech Talk got delayed to next meeting, but here's a link to that Hagerty Media YouTube nicely done short film entitled "How Toyota Got the 2024 Land Cruiser So Wrong — Full Review & History — Jason Cammisa on the ICONS." A lot of interesting Land Cruiser history that also had some strong opinions about the new crop of Land Cruisers with a compare and contrast to the now vintage ones that we've all come to love and appreciate. Anyhow, I watched it with my 6 and 9 year old kids (actually made them watch it, but that's besides the point). Enjoy...

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

Okay, True Confessions time - When Toyota was hyping the “back to its roots” reintroduction of the Land Cruiser, I was so stoked! I was hoping Toyota had finally decided to take back at least part of the market that they had surrendered to Wrangler.

Nope. When they debuted the new LC250. I was completely underwhelmed. Still IFS, wheel/tire ratios poor for off-road use, bad approach/departure angles, and less ground clearance than a Subaru Crosstrek. Well, at least it was a pretty car. To use a baseball analogy, I judged it to be a “single”.

After actually seeing one in action on our last club run, I was pleasantly surprised; actually impressed. It’s far more capable than it looks like it should be on paper. To continue the analogy, it may be a “double” or even a “triple”. Unlike a Wrangler Rubicon, you can’t (or, at least, shouldn’t) drive it straight from the dealer lot to a moderately challenging trail. But, also unlike a Wrangler, at least it won’t likely breakdown on the way to that trail.

I guess what frustrates me is that it really could have been a “bases loaded, Grand Slam home run”. Will Toyota eliminate these deficiencies? It shouldn’t be too hard for a company with their engineering prowess. But, I’m not holding my breath.

Please forgive the long-winded rant.

 

[Ttoner80]

back to its roots” reintroduction of the Land Cruiser

That just means circa 100 series so around 25 years ago. I too was hoping for a cross between the 80 suspension underneath a 40 or 55 series body.

To use a baseball analogy, I judged it to be a “single”

A two-door, five seater, 110 inch wheelbase, short overhang, with narrow body, and flat fenders, would have been so sweet. So good looking and capable until you try to do more with it. Like big Papi Ortiz stepping up. So much anticipation then an intentional walk. Thoroughly disappointed…

I’m not holding my breath.

Me neither but I will hold on to my old-ish Landcruisers.

 

[Live to Ski]

ah, another red-sox fan