Many Thanks to the Builders and the Wheelers!

[Dan Higgins]

I just wanted to reach out and say thanks to those on the forum who do these amazing builds and/or love to do serious "wheeling" and their willingness to share their experiences. I have come to realize over the past few months that I am not really in either of those categories. Modest mods (Slee sliders, ARB drawers, a modest ARB/OME lift, a Gobi rack and on board air) - all of which are very useful - but nothing like bumpers, a winch or 34"+ tires. And I don't see myself going that way (though I may do air bags in the Spring and may explore options for stealthy driving lights). Nor do I share the same passion for taking on a dfficult trail or a shelf road. I'm more overlander than wheeler.

But, what you all do is awesome. Seriously. It has given me a greater appreciation for the capabilities of the LC and insights into which mods would be most appropriate and most useful. And your willingness to help each other out. Lots of inspiration there. I probably won't be as active as I have been as I don't think I have much more to offer. (I also have other parts of my life that require attention - wrapping up my career and preparing for retirement next year, caring for aging parents and hopefully doing a long road trip with my father next July when he turns 90 and so on.) But I will enjoy reading of your exploits and checking out Ken's awesome pictures.

Thanks again for all the great help!

 

[mcgaskins]

Not true Dan - your perspective and insights are most definitely valued around here! I totally understand where you're coming from and what you're saying, and I'm taking a new angle at the 200 with a stock LX adding just tires and sliders and doing less difficult wheeling and more camping. Good luck with the family stuff and don't be a stranger for too long!

 

[Sandroad]

I can attest to the fact the 200 is a great retirement vehicle! I know it helped me retire gracefully by taking me places with my camper that could only imagine going while working. Get the airbags and a camper and go for that "dad" trip. And keep us updated; everyone needs those role models too!

 

[Markuson]

Dan, never think for one second that you don't have plenty to contribute.
I learn way more from others than I could ever offer on this forum.

As for you feeling like a non-wheeler... All of us do the kind of driving you describe too. It can't ALL be heavy wheeling. Realistically it's is only a part time element for most "wheelers" here.

Anyway... Stick around, brother!

M

PS. I'm sorry I missed you when you were (sorta) in town a few weeks ago...

 

[kreiten]

I just wanted to reach out and say thanks to those on the forum who do these amazing builds and/or love to do serious "wheeling" and their willingness to share their experiences. I have come to realize over the past few months that I am not really in either of those categories. Modest mods (Slee sliders, ARB drawers, a modest ARB/OME lift, a Gobi rack and on board air) - all of which are very useful - but nothing like bumpers, a winch or 34"+ tires. And I don't see myself going that way (though I may do air bags in the Spring and may explore options for stealthy driving lights). Nor do I share the same passion for taking on a dfficult trail or a shelf road. I'm more overlander than wheeler.

But, what you all do is awesome. Seriously. It has given me a greater appreciation for the capabilities of the LC and insights into which mods would be most appropriate and most useful. And your willingness to help each other out. Lots of inspiration there. I probably won't be as active as I have been as I don't think I have much more to offer. (I also have other parts of my life that require attention - wrapping up my career and preparing for retirement next year, caring for aging parents and hopefully doing a long road trip with my father next July when he turns 90 and so on.) But I will enjoy reading of your exploits and checking out Ken's awesome pictures.

Thanks again for all the great help!

Dan I love all your posts and photos, hope to see ya at next years LCDC!

 

[tbisaacs]

Luckily the wheelers play nice! I for one enjoy watching Ken beat the bumpers off his rig

 

[teambell]

Dan, I have enjoyed your journey to this point, I have watched from the time you made your first post on this forum and have been impressed by the mods you made and the immersion you have taken, I feel the same way you do about this gang, the insights and helpful attitude is a real jewel. The things you guys all do is amazing and inspiring, most often I am living vicariously through these posts and pics, wondering how I will get a ride home one day if I drop off my LC at Slee's... Oh, and your pictures are exceptional!

 

[Yossarian]

I just wanted to reach out and say thanks to those on the forum who do these amazing builds and/or love to do serious "wheeling" and their willingness to share their experiences. I have come to realize over the past few months that I am not really in either of those categories. Modest mods (Slee sliders, ARB drawers, a modest ARB/OME lift, a Gobi rack and on board air) - all of which are very useful - but nothing like bumpers, a winch or 34"+ tires. And I don't see myself going that way (though I may do air bags in the Spring and may explore options for stealthy driving lights). Nor do I share the same passion for taking on a dfficult trail or a shelf road. I'm more overlander than wheeler.

But, what you all do is awesome. Seriously. It has given me a greater appreciation for the capabilities of the LC and insights into which mods would be most appropriate and most useful. And your willingness to help each other out. Lots of inspiration there. I probably won't be as active as I have been as I don't think I have much more to offer. (I also have other parts of my life that require attention - wrapping up my career and preparing for retirement next year, caring for aging parents and hopefully doing a long road trip with my father next July when he turns 90 and so on.) But I will enjoy reading of your exploits and checking out Ken's awesome pictures.

Thanks again for all the great help!

Dan, in over 10+ years on Mud I can understand stepping back some. If I spend to much time on the forum I can get burnt out a little. But we call it a sickness for a reason, you just can't stay away for many reasons. The tech support here alone is amazing, for example running down the P0401 code and trouble shooting on my 80 with the FSM alone is hard enough. Add in all of the invaluable input from all of those that have gone before make Mud an invaluable asset. Of course the collective of experiences and pictures from adventures is worth it also, and your right in that category.

Don't stay away for to long.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Wow. Thanks for all of the responses. It says something about this forum. I won't be gone completely. My posts may be more about going places than about the LC - but I'll be getting to some of those places with the help of the LC. A couple of you asked about what was going on in my life - if I was OK. Again, says a lot about this forum. So, yes, we're OK. Actually, in many respects, doing great. This past weekend I met with my boss re: retirement. All good and all set. April. Perfect time. And because we have a firm date (my boss's boss is good with this as well) I can begin planning. So on one hand, this opens up this coming "adventure" season which is awesome. I'm sure we'll put a lot of miles on the LC.

But being 65 and seeing retirement on the horizon has also led to some reflection on life. It already feels weird to think about retirement and it is still 5 months away. I've essentially worked non-stop for over 45 years. What's it going to be like to go on vacation, without checking work email or worrying about work projects, not only for a week or even 2 but for the rest of my life? It seems surreal. To truly be able to hope in the LC, maybe hook up the trailer or throw the tent on top, and just go. On a Monday. Don't come back until Friday. And not feel guilty. Not worry about having good cell coverage or internet. Just go. What does it mean to just sit along the bank of a lake or a stream or at the top of a mountain pass and just relax - and not feel like you are wasting time or being unproductive or whatever?

@Sandroad, thanks for the encouragement about the LC being a great retirement vehicle. I can see that. I just need to be patient for the next 5 months until retirement becomes real.

Ken, LCDC is a possibility if my father's health is OK and if he would like to "drop in" on Telluride along our road trip to Oregon. And in any case the possibility of an extended, trailer-towing road trip to the PNW next August-September is looking much better with the retirement thing settled. Just remember that if we go wheeling, be nice.

@mcgaskins, it was your encouragement to use the LC (sans trailer) for camping that had us settle on the 2 ARB drawers. My wife is actually looking forward to trying that out this Spring. An Oztent is planned for the Spring to provide easy to set up living space while not sleeping in the LC. Now we just need to figure the best way to handle the middle of the night potty breaks. (This becomes more of an issue when you are old like us.)

Mark, thanks for checking in on me.

And finally, here's to all the vets out there. My brief time in the Army was a long time ago. But you all are often on my mind. Much of this world is all about me, me, me and making more money, having more stuff, whatever. You all chose a different road - one that involves huge risk and sacrifice - for the sake of others. I told my wife yesterday that I think our next LC mod is going to be to change the license plate to one for honorably discharged veterans. Not so much for me as I never had to be in harms way. (All of my time was spent at the Pentagon working with computers.) But simply to identify with, and encourage, those who are and have been serving. Here's to you! And to some of you ...