- Thread starter
- #41
I'm having trouble uploading the rest of my pics, they were taken with an even better camera so I'm guessing the file size is too large. I'll try linking to my facebook album but I'm not sure if that will be visible:
Barney the Purple Dragon - or, my FJ62
- Thread starter olija
- Start date
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Thanks for the sharing the pics
- Thread starter
- #43
Took my wife through Telkwa Pass, which is an off-road shortcut between Telkwa and Terrace. Over the highway it takes a little over 2 hours and is about 200km distance. Through the pass it's about 4 hours / 110km. It makes for a good overnight camping trip but we didn't have time to do that this time so we did the whole loop; through the pass and then home on the highway. The Cruiser performed flawlessly, driving so comfortably on the way home that my wife slept for almost the entire drive!
2 small road beers:
Coming down this hill I suddenly remembered I had suggested some German tourists in a 4x4 motorhome that had stopped in at the shop I work at that they should try this route if they had the time. Maybe it's better they didn't, I'm guessing the drop off on the left would have been a little terrifying in something that sits a few feet higher off the ground than the 62.
The prettiest of the 3 lakes in the pass, usually referred to as Top Lake(s). Stopped for a sandwich here. As you can see by the water it was extremely windy. This is because the coastal weather from Kitimat runs along the valley to Terrace and then all funnels through this pass into the northern interior.
2 small road beers:
Coming down this hill I suddenly remembered I had suggested some German tourists in a 4x4 motorhome that had stopped in at the shop I work at that they should try this route if they had the time. Maybe it's better they didn't, I'm guessing the drop off on the left would have been a little terrifying in something that sits a few feet higher off the ground than the 62.
The prettiest of the 3 lakes in the pass, usually referred to as Top Lake(s). Stopped for a sandwich here. As you can see by the water it was extremely windy. This is because the coastal weather from Kitimat runs along the valley to Terrace and then all funnels through this pass into the northern interior.
- Thread starter
- #44
Tauw Lake, the final one before the trail turns into an easier road again:
A glacier nearly hidden by clouds up above. I had to be almost as quick for this picture as for the bears!
And a beautiful creek that runs into the Copper River close to Terrace:
A glacier nearly hidden by clouds up above. I had to be almost as quick for this picture as for the bears!
And a beautiful creek that runs into the Copper River close to Terrace:
This is y I love the old cruisers.
Reasonably cheap and capable of taking u to cracking spots like in your pics
Reasonably cheap and capable of taking u to cracking spots like in your pics
Thanks for sharing! Looking good!
Looks awesome! Got to go explore the northern parts of BC one day!
- Thread starter
- #49
Spent some time at Babine Lake, BC's longest natural lake, about an hour from home. We found an awesome private spot that was only accessible by small 4wd:
Sunday night we went up Onion Mountain which is covered in mining roads, and has a phenomenal view of the sunset after a 5 minute hike to the very top after the road peters out. The steep trail was a good test for the torque of the 3FE. I climbed most of the hills in 2nd gear but I should have shifted to 1st for a few of them because I was bogging down, but it seemed to just chug up at 1500rpm regardless. Coming back down the gearing could be lower, but for the investment I've got in this vehicle I shouldn't complain too much. It does everything well and gets alot of comments everywhere I go. The thing that brings a smile to my face every time is seeing some old guy in an old rusty brown diesel 60, he gives me a grin and a wave every time he sees my purple pig coming up the street.
Sunday night we went up Onion Mountain which is covered in mining roads, and has a phenomenal view of the sunset after a 5 minute hike to the very top after the road peters out. The steep trail was a good test for the torque of the 3FE. I climbed most of the hills in 2nd gear but I should have shifted to 1st for a few of them because I was bogging down, but it seemed to just chug up at 1500rpm regardless. Coming back down the gearing could be lower, but for the investment I've got in this vehicle I shouldn't complain too much. It does everything well and gets alot of comments everywhere I go. The thing that brings a smile to my face every time is seeing some old guy in an old rusty brown diesel 60, he gives me a grin and a wave every time he sees my purple pig coming up the street.
Crusier looks solid! I dig the "just married" in the rear dust 
Love this thread! So full of creativity, positive thinking, and adventure. Too many trucks like this get chopped up and scrapped. Keep up the good work! (Congrats on the wedding too!)
- Thread starter
- #52
Haha, yeah my friends are pretty funny with the "Just married, just pregnant" written on the back. Sunday evening we went for a nice long cruise up Winfield Creek Road which takes you up to about 6000 feet elevation to a microwave repeater. Unfortunately we didn't make it quite to the tower because there was still snow in the final ravine that separated us from the tower, but it will probably be gone in about 2 weeks. We did enjoy a nice swim in some of the meltwater pools on the alpine plateau before that though.
Not a Cruiser but close enough:
Spotted a ton of marmots. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to live like these guys do...sleep for 10 months and live off the land in the mountains for the other 2.
I thought this pic was kind of cool because the Tacoma literally follows in the shadow of the Land Cruiser.
One of the aforementioned pools:
If anyone's interested in hearing about my friend's Tacoma, it's a 2001 V6 5 speed with about 250,000km on it, a Fabtech lift which rides worse than my leaf sprung Land Cruiser does, stiff-riding tires on nice TRD alloy rims that are supposedly worth more $$$ than what I've got into the Cruiser. He lost control a few winters ago and slid into the ditch backwards after hitting a tree right on the end of one of the framerails. The frame was diamonded (one rail was set back due to the impact) so it needed to be straightened. All said and told, the repairs cost just as much as what he paid for the truck. But it still drives straight and rattle-free and tight like a brand new one even after all that! Amazing trucks.
Not a Cruiser but close enough:
Spotted a ton of marmots. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to live like these guys do...sleep for 10 months and live off the land in the mountains for the other 2.
I thought this pic was kind of cool because the Tacoma literally follows in the shadow of the Land Cruiser.
One of the aforementioned pools:
If anyone's interested in hearing about my friend's Tacoma, it's a 2001 V6 5 speed with about 250,000km on it, a Fabtech lift which rides worse than my leaf sprung Land Cruiser does, stiff-riding tires on nice TRD alloy rims that are supposedly worth more $$$ than what I've got into the Cruiser. He lost control a few winters ago and slid into the ditch backwards after hitting a tree right on the end of one of the framerails. The frame was diamonded (one rail was set back due to the impact) so it needed to be straightened. All said and told, the repairs cost just as much as what he paid for the truck. But it still drives straight and rattle-free and tight like a brand new one even after all that! Amazing trucks.
You have some amazing scenery up your way!
- Thread starter
- #54
Thanks Strick.
Went up to Hyder, Alaska a few days ago and did the Salmon Glacier Road. It's nothing crazy, you can easily do it in a car, but the scenery is fantastic, and there are a few interesting little side trails to explore.
This is the Bear Glacier, just on the side of the highway going into Stewart/Hyder
This is the Salmon Glacier as seen from the parking lot viewpoint at the top.
This is an old mining road that we explored (cruised, I mean) up. Found some dead ends, a few different angles of the glacier, and eventually found that the trail goes over the top of the fjord and connects to a gravel road they are using for construction on the Bruce Jack Transmission Line. There was a sign at that point saying "no unauthorized access" so we bailed on that one. But not before we got to see one of the construction helicopters from about 200 meters away!
The toe of the glacier where it becomes a lake, then a river:
@TLC Norway, does this remind you of home?
Who wants to take this thing for a test drive? It's not a cruiser but I'm sure it does just fine!
The 62 handled the drive just fine. About 4 hours each way, the farthest I have ever dared to take this beast. No hiccups whatsoever. Love the Land Cruiser Experience! Stay tuned for more pics soon, we're going out wheeling tonight!
Went up to Hyder, Alaska a few days ago and did the Salmon Glacier Road. It's nothing crazy, you can easily do it in a car, but the scenery is fantastic, and there are a few interesting little side trails to explore.
This is the Bear Glacier, just on the side of the highway going into Stewart/Hyder
This is the Salmon Glacier as seen from the parking lot viewpoint at the top.
This is an old mining road that we explored (cruised, I mean) up. Found some dead ends, a few different angles of the glacier, and eventually found that the trail goes over the top of the fjord and connects to a gravel road they are using for construction on the Bruce Jack Transmission Line. There was a sign at that point saying "no unauthorized access" so we bailed on that one. But not before we got to see one of the construction helicopters from about 200 meters away!
The toe of the glacier where it becomes a lake, then a river:
@TLC Norway, does this remind you of home?
Who wants to take this thing for a test drive? It's not a cruiser but I'm sure it does just fine!
The 62 handled the drive just fine. About 4 hours each way, the farthest I have ever dared to take this beast. No hiccups whatsoever. Love the Land Cruiser Experience! Stay tuned for more pics soon, we're going out wheeling tonight!
dude, your backyard is so gorgeous. I rode to alaska on my bike in 08 and i thought it was the most awesome place ever. I am jealous of the trails you have access to. Crap, east coast sucks...
- Thread starter
- #56
@mongoose2231 I can only imagine what it would be like to live there, but can't you guys go wheeling in the Appalachians?
Went up a trail 5 minutes outside of town called Silvern Lakes / Toboggan Creek Trail. It's an old mining trail that leads up to several old mineshafts way up above timberline. It gets pretty rocky up higher, but down below tree line it's getting very grown in which is too bad. I'm hoping to go back up there soon so we can explore some side trails and maybe do a little spelunking as well.
The creek crossing, which also serves as a bit of a gatekeeper obstacle. I thought the Cruiser would have a tough time coming down the bank without dragging tail, but I think the spring runoff or ATVers climbing it for a few weeks since I checked it out last have tamed it down a little:
Toboggan Glacier. Local legend has it that someone rolled a 2nd gen 4runner down the mountain because they were too distracted by the scenery to stay on the trail. I've seen the wrecked truck down there so I know it must be partly true!
I have to put in a good word for 3-ply sidewalls here. I'm not sure how a regular 2-ply would have handled this. Also, I added some cute little rear mudflaps that are bolted on to the body mount gussets on the frame with some little brackets I fabbed up. I didn't want to screw them into my brand new 1/4 panels, plus I thought it would be better to distance them from the tire to reduce the chance of backing over them.
Went up a trail 5 minutes outside of town called Silvern Lakes / Toboggan Creek Trail. It's an old mining trail that leads up to several old mineshafts way up above timberline. It gets pretty rocky up higher, but down below tree line it's getting very grown in which is too bad. I'm hoping to go back up there soon so we can explore some side trails and maybe do a little spelunking as well.
The creek crossing, which also serves as a bit of a gatekeeper obstacle. I thought the Cruiser would have a tough time coming down the bank without dragging tail, but I think the spring runoff or ATVers climbing it for a few weeks since I checked it out last have tamed it down a little:
Toboggan Glacier. Local legend has it that someone rolled a 2nd gen 4runner down the mountain because they were too distracted by the scenery to stay on the trail. I've seen the wrecked truck down there so I know it must be partly true!
I have to put in a good word for 3-ply sidewalls here. I'm not sure how a regular 2-ply would have handled this. Also, I added some cute little rear mudflaps that are bolted on to the body mount gussets on the frame with some little brackets I fabbed up. I didn't want to screw them into my brand new 1/4 panels, plus I thought it would be better to distance them from the tire to reduce the chance of backing over them.
Love the photos! Stunning!!
Great Job bringing back that rot box. Keep the ride reports coming
- Thread starter
- #59
Did some more wheeling on Saturday, was an all-day trip up on Nine Mile Mountain by Hazelton, an hour's drive northwest of home. A little bit rough and rocky in a few places, but no sweat for the Cruiser, but the S15 behind me had a few new dings and dents both on the bottom and the passenger rear door.
Whipped up a CB antenna mount from scratch:
At the first set of mic towers is already a nice view, but it gets better:
I just hiked the mountain on the left of this picture on Monday which was BC Day! Woo! 22km / 13 hours/ 14,000 vertical feet return
Looking back towards home, I think we had better weather than the folks who decided not to come:
If you look very carefully on the tops of the hills on the far left and far right of this pic, you can see 2 black towers on each hill. The trail goes to both sets of towers, and beyond. It seems nearly unfathomable at a glance, but driving, takes only about an hour between towers.
Old mine shacks from Silver Standard Mine
Attempted flex shot:
Was a perfect day out, not too hot and just a slight breeze to keep the bugs at bay. Had lots of fun but due to the roughness of the trail, I think my wife is done 4x4ing until the baby comes, which is not for another 3 months almost! In the meantime, I will be traveling to Princeton to do the Whipsaw Trail with a big group from all over. Basically half the province away, a LONG way from home and the furthest I have ever taken the Cruiser. Stay tuned!
Whipped up a CB antenna mount from scratch:
At the first set of mic towers is already a nice view, but it gets better:
I just hiked the mountain on the left of this picture on Monday which was BC Day! Woo! 22km / 13 hours/ 14,000 vertical feet return
Looking back towards home, I think we had better weather than the folks who decided not to come:
If you look very carefully on the tops of the hills on the far left and far right of this pic, you can see 2 black towers on each hill. The trail goes to both sets of towers, and beyond. It seems nearly unfathomable at a glance, but driving, takes only about an hour between towers.
Old mine shacks from Silver Standard Mine
Attempted flex shot:
Was a perfect day out, not too hot and just a slight breeze to keep the bugs at bay. Had lots of fun but due to the roughness of the trail, I think my wife is done 4x4ing until the baby comes, which is not for another 3 months almost! In the meantime, I will be traveling to Princeton to do the Whipsaw Trail with a big group from all over. Basically half the province away, a LONG way from home and the furthest I have ever taken the Cruiser. Stay tuned!
- Thread starter
- #60
Just got back from the trip, here's a couple teaser shots:
