Himalayan Cruisers - Bhutan

[barrys]

Thought you might be interested in some scenes from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, which is loaded with Land Cruisers (60-80-100s), Hilux pickups, and a fair number of 40 series, 70 series, and even 45s!

Made a visit to the auto/truck repair section of Thimphu (the capitol city of 60,000 people) today to check out what's there. Up the stairs to Genuine Toyota Parts, and Tshering's parts department. Down below was a 75 series troopy "awaiting spare parts" according to the yellow card in the window. Hmmm….sounds like some of our vehicles back in NM. As I was leaving the area, this sweet sounding HJ45 was pulling out, and the driver obliged my request to take a photo of his excellent truck.

Finally, a scene from the Thimphu dzong (military, government & religious fortress dating back to 1687) as Tsheschu Buddhist dances are about to get underway. The dances promote happiness, connections to family, and the Bhutanese culture. Outsiders are welcomed, and achieve merit by attending.

I loved reading about the Gallup/McGaffey outing, and seeing Larry's rig get a proper initiation on the trail!

Barry

 

[DanS HJ-45]

...soooooo.....I guess I should start compiling a list of cool odds and ends to see if you can bring them back then?




In case you were worried, your 60 is fitting in nicely up here.

Dan

 

[pappy]

Ummm, do they have boneyards?

 

[barrys]

...soooooo.....I guess I should start compiling a list of cool odds and ends to see if you can bring them back then?

By all means make that list. Not sure what I can get, but I'll be learning more as each day goes by.


In case you were worried, your 60 is fitting in nicely up here.


Dan

Beautiful picture, Dan! That is indeed a good fit. I don't see the "G" emblem yet.

 

[barrys]

Ummm, do they have boneyards?

Haven't seen anything yet resembling a US boneyard, pappy. More like individual vehicles that are being stripped of everything. Will figure out how the system works here and let you know.

 

[marcfj60]

Great photos guys. Can't wait for more.

 

[evanz80]

Barry -

Thanks for sharing the info and the pictures. Interesting to see the parts counter and the vehicles. We were in Nepal in 2012 and I don't recall seeing many Cruisers. Mostly very small cars and motorcycles, not to mention the pedestrians, cows in the road, etc.

 

[Poupon]

Hey Barry,
Thanks for the update and pix. Keep'm coming.

 

[Poupon]

Dan, that is a great shot!

 

[barrys]

Barry -

Thanks for sharing the info and the pictures. Interesting to see the parts counter and the vehicles. We were in Nepal in 2012 and I don't recall seeing many Cruisers. Mostly very small cars and motorcycles, not to mention the pedestrians, cows in the road, etc.

It's been a few years, but I don't recall seeing many Cruisers in Nepal, either. On the 5 mile drive from the dzong today, I counted four 60 series, and three 70 series among the little Suzuki Marutis, and other Indian and Korean brands. Way too many newer model Cruisers to count. The Royal family has quite a fleet of 200 series LCs.

The year's biggest Buddhist festival is underway. This fine fellow is the hunter in the Dance of the Stag and Hounds. The dance dates to the 11th century. It teaches compassion and love for all animals, and is a metaphor for impermanence. The hounds and stag are shown in the next picture, beneath the monk who's texting on his cell phone.

Here's a nice late model 40 that sits near the Tata Motors dealer. I enjoyed seeing the great pics from the Sonic meeting last week - some great rigs there!

 

[evanz80]

Wild masks! Very cool.

 

[barrys]

Like Ali's 80 - but with more decals…..

The next photos were taken at the "Workshop" district in Thimphu. It's a 2 block square area where almost all vehicle repair (cars, trucks, heavy equipment, motorcycles) is done. Very impressive workmanship, including everything mechanical and paint/body. Here's a 1983 BJ40…….

Just like the US, Land Cruiser owners (including the mechanics) are passionate about their reliability, and keep them maintained well. 40s, 60s, 80s, and most of the newer models are diesels.

Finally for today, here's probably the best, most succinct summary for questions about "why Toyota Genuine Parts vs. other brands". More to come soon.

 

[barrys]

One of my wife's business students here at Royal Thimphu College helped rebuild Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery a few years ago after a fire in the main building. He showed me pictures of his BJ40, so I'll have to go back to the valley at the bottom where he lives to see it - and make another visit to this most sacred place in Bhutan. Some say the monastery and the valley 3,000 feet below may be the Shangri-La of James Hilton's novel. I can buy that!

Barry

 

[DanS HJ-45]

One of my wife's business students here at Royal Thimphu College helped rebuild Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery a few years ago after a fire in the main building. He showed me pictures of his BJ40, so I'll have to go back to the valley at the bottom where he lives to see it - and make another visit to this most sacred place in Bhutan. Some say the monastery and the valley 3,000 feet below may be the Shangri-La of James Hilton's novel. I can buy that!

Barry


View attachment 956191

That's simply an iconic kind of building. Almost like a fantasy-land movie set.

Dan

 

[barrys]

I hit the jackpot today! Finally got to meet the men who drive the trucks I've been admiring these past couple of months. They are the founders and members of Bhutan 4x4 Adventures, a fairly new club of Land Cruiser fans. Like our club, they have amazing built LCs and trucks, and take them off the main roads, mostly logging trails where high clearance is required. As a result, they can go where many tourists can only dream of visiting. They also have a mission in their club to help rural villages in maintaining clean water, and improving economic conditions. More about that later.


Here's the men and machines…….absolutely beautiful 80s, Hilux, and the clean troopy on the right that's undergoing restoration. CDan and beno - I told the club president that I'd ask you guys about OEM floor mats for his '83 BJ40, and his mid-90s troopy - both RHD. Every vehicle has diesel - 1HZs in the newer Cruisers. The lifted ones use OME suspension or Tough Dog from Australia. Roof top tent on the black 80 comes in handy in certain parts of the country with tigers, bears, and other large creatures that could pose problems.

Cool LED headlights, ARB bumper, and roof rack custom made here at the "Workshop" section of Thimphu. Likewise the sliders.

Close up of another custom roof rack on this troopy. The rear bumper is for a Hilux, but modified to look perfect on this Cruiser. The fender flares look stock, but are fabricated here at the Workshop!! The fit and finish was impeccable!

The places they have or visit include remote villages and monasteries. Some local women are weavers who sell their handicrafts to visitors. They mentioned an upcoming trip to Ladakh (Indian Himalaya) that crosses the highest mountain pass in the world (I think they said 18,000 feet!!). I introduced them to Ih8Mud, and will link this thread in my email to the club president so they can see more about our well established High Desert Cruisers club. BTW, Mr. President Ali, they wanted to know more about you because of your name. You would really like these guys! That's it for now. Off on another adventure tomorrow. Barry

 

[barrys]

My ride back to the college today…..80 series with new ARB, LEDs, OME suspension, custom made sliders, and those cool aftermarket headlights.

Amby doors and good looking rear bumper with pintle hook. All the Cruisers and Hilux I saw today at the club get-together have snorkels. And all the diesels sounded very healthy.

Close up detail on those custom made fender flares. Check out the carbon-fiber looking dark stripe along the side of the troopy. It looked like factory, and added an elegant touch to an already impressive ride! Larry, if you and your daughter ever visit Bhutan, we could find a way to travel in style and comfort to some off-the-beaten path places with these club members. They know the territory, three of them are guides/travel agents, and they have made the effort to equip their trucks to go where most people can't. And they bring Stihl chain saws with them on the logging roads - just like home in New Mexico and Colorado. Barry

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Very cool!

That HZJ-75 with the custom flares and carbon-fiber stripe looks really, really nice.

The light blue thing in front of the license plate of the white 80: is that an antenna mount, or something more decorative?

Dan

 

[evanz80]

Barry -

Awesome report! Will you have a chance to "see the sights" and do some wheeling with them?

Very cool trucks!

 

[Poupon]

Thanks Barry - really enjoying the updates and pix. Man that is some cool stuff you are able to experience - and those trucks are sweet . Clearly these guys are not hurting financially. Love the club's mission to help the rural areas!

Keep the updates comin!

 

[barrys]

YES - When I return next year (before the monsoon), I'll be 4 wheeling with them, and seeing places most tourists can't go because most vehicles don't have the capabilities of these Cruisers. Can't wait, Evan!

Don't know what that blue thingy is, Dan. Good question, and I'll get the answer.

Larry - Yes, everyone I met is very successful in their respective careers - like everyone in HDC. We all have a lot in common: a sometimes unexplainable passion for taking old Land Cruisers (all of the trucks I've pictured here are at least 20 years old) and upgrading them, particularly for off-road duty; families and at least one other person in the household who might have input on the budget for truck fixes and upgrades.

From what I've heard, most Land Cruisers and Hiluxes didn't start showing up here until the late 70s-early 80s. Since the first paved road was built here in 1962, and the country was still quite isolated from tourism. Every time I glance inside an old 40, my expectation is that I'll see that pewter colored dash insert characteristic of the '83/'84 model year. In fact, it's surprising when it's an older model.

Oh, here's how I was able to find these guys: saw this cool 75 series a few weeks ago, and noted the logo on the door - Bhutan4x4Adventure.com. Not sure if it was a tour company or club, I sent an email for information. Then I saw the truck again, and introduced myself to the owner - Jigme Tshewang. One thing led to another, and I met the other members of the club. Jigme was out of town yesterday, but I just had to show you how my connections got started! More later…..