Greetings -
Last Friday I didn't know what any of this was all about. IH8MUD???
I rent a room in my house to an old friend. He had a camping trip planned that would see himself and a friend travel to some BLM acreage outside of Big Bear, CA for a weekend of relaxation and shooting sports. The other guy (with the truck/ride) bailed at the last second for some BS nonsense. This left my poor roommate home (AGAIN!) for the weekend in a crappy mood that was harshing my mellow, man. I have two cars (preparing one for sale) but both are "touring sedans" not mud rompers or anything close. And my roommate drives a freaking Prius. No joke. Clearly there was no easy path up the mountain. I was pissed that I wasn't invited in the first place and also disappointed in myself for not having any off-road capable options. The seed was planted Friday 4/24/2020 at about 5pm. And soon after the search was on.
I started looking at Toyota 4x4 pickups from back in the day (1985-1992). Just needed a beater that would run up the mountain and hold some gear and run about 5k. After searching for a while I started coming across 4 Runners that were in the same price ballpark so my focus slowly shifted to an enclosed SUV body style. Found a nice looking, clean and straight 4 Runner from the year of our lord 1996. Took a one hour trip to discover there were 300k miles on it (not the 200k advertised) and the motor had been flogged to death or in some way rendered ineffective. It was like pushing the accelerator into a bowl of mashed potatoes. Saddened by our misfortune, my brother (who had come along as the car encyclopedia) and I began the journey home. I was lamenting about the power of the 4 runner. My brother paused for a moment then said, "Dude, you need to get a Land Cruiser."
Land Cruisers are for Mick Dundee and Karen with the kids and the soccer balls down the street. Off road mega beast? I have heard of no such thing.
My brother edjumacated me a bit and opened wide my eyes into the realm of the Cruiser. I started looking for vehicles for sale between us and home. Called one guy - really nasty Cruiser offering. I feel bad for that vehicle. Called another guy and set up a meeting. He delivered my new baby to me.
Whilst explaining the enchanting frontier of Land Cruiser and Lexus he said I need to check out this website. He said "Those guys are the crazies. Anything you need you can find there."
So here I am. A sponge waiting to soak up mud knowledge.
Last Friday I didn't know what any of this was all about. IH8MUD???
I rent a room in my house to an old friend. He had a camping trip planned that would see himself and a friend travel to some BLM acreage outside of Big Bear, CA for a weekend of relaxation and shooting sports. The other guy (with the truck/ride) bailed at the last second for some BS nonsense. This left my poor roommate home (AGAIN!) for the weekend in a crappy mood that was harshing my mellow, man. I have two cars (preparing one for sale) but both are "touring sedans" not mud rompers or anything close. And my roommate drives a freaking Prius. No joke. Clearly there was no easy path up the mountain. I was pissed that I wasn't invited in the first place and also disappointed in myself for not having any off-road capable options. The seed was planted Friday 4/24/2020 at about 5pm. And soon after the search was on.
I started looking at Toyota 4x4 pickups from back in the day (1985-1992). Just needed a beater that would run up the mountain and hold some gear and run about 5k. After searching for a while I started coming across 4 Runners that were in the same price ballpark so my focus slowly shifted to an enclosed SUV body style. Found a nice looking, clean and straight 4 Runner from the year of our lord 1996. Took a one hour trip to discover there were 300k miles on it (not the 200k advertised) and the motor had been flogged to death or in some way rendered ineffective. It was like pushing the accelerator into a bowl of mashed potatoes. Saddened by our misfortune, my brother (who had come along as the car encyclopedia) and I began the journey home. I was lamenting about the power of the 4 runner. My brother paused for a moment then said, "Dude, you need to get a Land Cruiser."
Land Cruisers are for Mick Dundee and Karen with the kids and the soccer balls down the street. Off road mega beast? I have heard of no such thing.
My brother edjumacated me a bit and opened wide my eyes into the realm of the Cruiser. I started looking for vehicles for sale between us and home. Called one guy - really nasty Cruiser offering. I feel bad for that vehicle. Called another guy and set up a meeting. He delivered my new baby to me.
Whilst explaining the enchanting frontier of Land Cruiser and Lexus he said I need to check out this website. He said "Those guys are the crazies. Anything you need you can find there."
So here I am. A sponge waiting to soak up mud knowledge.