Mark Whatley and TLCA
- Thread starter Pete
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
its a toyota 4wd club.. Its members are required to have a toyota 4wd, and thats what the magazine will cover, its members.. I find the magazine quite bland compared to an issue of Crawl, but like all have mentioned, is a volunteer thing, so if you don't submit cool articles they wont appear in the mag!
FJ40-GARAGE
I`ll be back....
x100!
Thats why i joined the TLCA a while ago, i came as a stranger and i left friends behind when i had to leave again.
Just last weekend i shared my campfire with russian, french, belgian and german cruiserheads, the enthusiasm and love for our wheelin and Toyotas doesnt know any borders, religions or whatsever.
Clutchee
I'm fun sized!
Pete, you bring up a great point-lots of folks look in THEIR Trails for certain things:
tech, trip reports, new vendors, or just living out stories of your cruiser dreams
I had the chance to hang out with Mark for the ACT08, GREAT FELLOW!
But as many folks involved in the TLCA & Trails..... its YOUR TLCA, Mark outside of TLCA has a business & family. Enough said!
You have found MUD..... guess what now you can have tech 24/7
As far as it having a Toyota Truck on the front cover.... ITS CALLED TOYOTA TRAILS
Being that you have been a long time member & reading his articles/pictures, you know their may be stories/pictures about Toyota Land Cruisers, 4-runners, mini-trucks
As I have mentioned to folks before----TRAILS is what you make it
Submit tech articles, submit stories about your Toyota adventures, submit pictures of your Toyota (truck/4runner/LC) doing what you enjoy....... res-storing, crawling, or just hanging out.
Pete times change, if you had trails still being made just for FJ40's or just mini-trucks...... well life & trails would be boring.......
Pete take time to remember TLCA is a car club...... its what its members make of it.
I have friends in TLCA that think crawling their FJ40 through a minor trail is crazy......
But they show up, pitch a tent, make a sandwich and take in the BEST group of PEOPLE I know, why, because were friends 1st, car club 2nd, and cruiser heads 3rd.
If you look to the left of the cover shot, there is a green FJ40 on the cover as well. Can't we all just get along for the enjoyment of wheeling our "Toyota" rigs?
- Thread starter
- #26
Almost all of you guys miss my point! I was mistakenly under the impression that TLCA stood for Toyota LAND CRUISER Association - some of you don't even know that it's two words! No, I'm not quitting because Mark W. is no longer doing his column. I'm not renewing because the TLCA no longer represents or reflects my interest in Land Cruisers. If you want it to be the Toyota 4x4 Association, fine. If you still don't understand, see LC's post above. I'm not leaving the TLCA because of this particular issue of TT....this has been building for a couple of years. The organization has simply abandoned the Land Cruiser hard core.
Pete
Pete
Ok, bye.
2ndGenToyotaFan
Moderator
FYI that taco on the cover belongs to the Editor of TT... The man who's been bringing you this beautiful magazine for years.... If you want to read about Land Cruisers, write an article...
Oh for Pete's sake! (he,he,he,he)
We're back to that now, are we?
Seriously though. You're mad. We get it. I think we understood that when we had this discussion previously. https://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-discussion-forum/210379-what-do-you-all-think-toyota-trails.html
In that thread I seem to recall it being suggested that if you weren't satisfied with the content of Trails- that you should submit something for publication. How is that coming along?
Or do we get to witness another rant in six months?
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2004
- Messages
- 560
I think if the TLCA wants to grow and survive and in particular Toyota Trails, it should somewhat be reflective of what its' target group is driving. There aren't as many FJ-40s, 60s and 80s floating around in comparison to newer Tacomas, 100s, and FJ Cruisers. Since the 200 was introduced some time ago, I have only seen 1 or 2 rolling down the road.
I like the cruiser content of TT, but at some point down the road I will probably be driving a Tacoma and I hope TLCA and TT displays the same interest in that Toyota 4x4 as they do Land Cruisers.
I like the cruiser content of TT, but at some point down the road I will probably be driving a Tacoma and I hope TLCA and TT displays the same interest in that Toyota 4x4 as they do Land Cruisers.
I personally like the TLCA , tech sect or no.
I have begun to form an opinion.......
after meeting the following:
Nolen Grogan
Luke Zero
Woody
Kaderabek
and a few others, that
all the midwest and southern TLCA boys need to eat less sausage and more prime rib and taters cause they be a skinny, short, thin haired bunch.
Tech wise, your here baby. This site covers it well. IMO
I have begun to form an opinion.......
after meeting the following:
Nolen Grogan
Luke Zero
Woody
Kaderabek
and a few others, that
all the midwest and southern TLCA boys need to eat less sausage and more prime rib and taters cause they be a skinny, short, thin haired bunch.
Tech wise, your here baby. This site covers it well. IMO
That's a good point, tac. Toyota Trails is made up of contributions from members. So, stories will probably be representative of what we own and drive.
It's nice to see a little excitement about TLCA. If any of you want to channel your enthusiasm there are several TLCA Board of Director positions up for grabs this year.
Fort Knox
SILVER Star
So Pete, what are you going to do? Are you going to go join that other organization that dedicates 100% of its time and resources to the Land Cruiser to the exclusion of all other vehicles? What was its name again?
Look, if you don't like the non-LC content of the Trails, you have a choice. Just don't read the non-LC articles. If there aren't enough Cruiser related articles to keep you busy in the new issues, go back and re-read some old ones. It's not like a whole lot has changed. You could also follow the advice of others and write some Land Cruiser related material, or encourage your Cruiser friends to do so. It doesn't write itself.
You say that the TLCA has abandoned the Land Cruiser hard core? Sorry man, but I just don't see it. Sure, the amount of 4Runner, mini-truck, and FJC content has increased, but it's not like they're rejecting Cruiser content. People are just submitting more material for other Toyota 4x4's now. That being said, the Land Cruiser is still the primary focus of the club. It's just not the only focus. Can you name another organization that dedicates more time to Land Cruisers than TLCA and its member chapters?
If you really feel like it's not worth your dues to stay in the TLCA, well.....that's your choice. Vaya con dios. I'm stayin'.
Look, if you don't like the non-LC content of the Trails, you have a choice. Just don't read the non-LC articles. If there aren't enough Cruiser related articles to keep you busy in the new issues, go back and re-read some old ones. It's not like a whole lot has changed. You could also follow the advice of others and write some Land Cruiser related material, or encourage your Cruiser friends to do so. It doesn't write itself.
You say that the TLCA has abandoned the Land Cruiser hard core? Sorry man, but I just don't see it. Sure, the amount of 4Runner, mini-truck, and FJC content has increased, but it's not like they're rejecting Cruiser content. People are just submitting more material for other Toyota 4x4's now. That being said, the Land Cruiser is still the primary focus of the club. It's just not the only focus. Can you name another organization that dedicates more time to Land Cruisers than TLCA and its member chapters?
If you really feel like it's not worth your dues to stay in the TLCA, well.....that's your choice. Vaya con dios. I'm stayin'.
Well said Fort Knox, 100% agree.
I'm with Pete in that I am not a big fan of all the new Toyota stuff out there and am pretty much all about the old school, and I have noticed a big drop in old school articles and an explosion of FJ crap that I don't really read (well, not really crap, cause they are probably well writen articles and nice photos but to me they are just blah). That said I understand that the TLCA is pretty much a volunteer organization and the Toyota Trails is a collection of articles and photos contributed by the readers. I personally won't leave the TLCA just cause what is in the magazine is not 100% old school. I wait every 2 months for it, hoping for some cool pictures and nice articles, some times I am disappointed, but most times not. Either way you look at it, it still beats the heck out of any off the shelf 4x4 mag which has 99% Jeep content and the odd glimps of a Toyota.
So, finally I don't know why you are complaining about this issue of Trails, it is actually packed pretty full with old school, and I was pretty pumped when I first flipped through to look at the pictures. (Don't worry Pete I am not bashing you, I am on your side about the old school and your need to vent, just think you might just have to sit back and picture the magazine with no content at all, probably means no TT). Anyway keep up the good work team, I'll keep reading (might skip a bit of it, although I got to admit some new stuff pics are pretty cool).
Also will miss Mark's articles, not for the tech so much cause again not a big gasser fan and he never really wrote about the good old diesels, but for all his little stories, which I hope he will continue to contribute even though it might not be as often.
Cheers,
Deny
I'm with Pete in that I am not a big fan of all the new Toyota stuff out there and am pretty much all about the old school, and I have noticed a big drop in old school articles and an explosion of FJ crap that I don't really read (well, not really crap, cause they are probably well writen articles and nice photos but to me they are just blah). That said I understand that the TLCA is pretty much a volunteer organization and the Toyota Trails is a collection of articles and photos contributed by the readers. I personally won't leave the TLCA just cause what is in the magazine is not 100% old school. I wait every 2 months for it, hoping for some cool pictures and nice articles, some times I am disappointed, but most times not. Either way you look at it, it still beats the heck out of any off the shelf 4x4 mag which has 99% Jeep content and the odd glimps of a Toyota.
So, finally I don't know why you are complaining about this issue of Trails, it is actually packed pretty full with old school, and I was pretty pumped when I first flipped through to look at the pictures. (Don't worry Pete I am not bashing you, I am on your side about the old school and your need to vent, just think you might just have to sit back and picture the magazine with no content at all, probably means no TT). Anyway keep up the good work team, I'll keep reading (might skip a bit of it, although I got to admit some new stuff pics are pretty cool).
Also will miss Mark's articles, not for the tech so much cause again not a big gasser fan and he never really wrote about the good old diesels, but for all his little stories, which I hope he will continue to contribute even though it might not be as often.
Cheers,
Deny
Fort Knox
SILVER Star
In my rant above, I completely forgot to mention that I will also sorely miss Mark's contributions to TT. I agree with others that say it was usually one of the first things I'd flip to when my new issue arrived. That said, I can completely understand the need to take a break when there's family and work to occupy your time. In the end, all I can say is.....thanks Mark!
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,931
Mark... Thank you for the years of tech and more importantly, for putting your slant on so many issues which have left me either laughing or shaking my head in amazement. We look forward to hearing from you again, when you have some time.
I once stated in a President's column that Mark was a pillar of TLCA. He truly has been instrumental to TLCA and Trails, and as inidcated here, to many TLCA members. He will be missed by many.
But just as when Mike Trathen began Tech articles in Trails under the leadership of Gary Bjork, followed later by many TLCA members including Mark Algazy and Marlin Crawler, I believe our new Tech Editor will also add value to TLCA, Trails and each person' membership.
Welcome to our new Tech Editor, Bill Wheelwright. With a name like that, I can't help but feel he will fit right in.
I know I look forward to reading his column and look forward to a fresh point of view in tech.
I once stated in a President's column that Mark was a pillar of TLCA. He truly has been instrumental to TLCA and Trails, and as inidcated here, to many TLCA members. He will be missed by many.
But just as when Mike Trathen began Tech articles in Trails under the leadership of Gary Bjork, followed later by many TLCA members including Mark Algazy and Marlin Crawler, I believe our new Tech Editor will also add value to TLCA, Trails and each person' membership.
Welcome to our new Tech Editor, Bill Wheelwright. With a name like that, I can't help but feel he will fit right in.
I know I look forward to reading his column and look forward to a fresh point of view in tech.
Guys, there have been covers of TT for a LONG TIME that didn't have a Cruiser on them. I can think of a couple instances, one in 2003 I think and another back in '98 or '99. What you should do is buy back-issues of the Trails, there is tons of good content in them, and you will realize that for a LONG TIME it's been more than just about Land Cruisers.
And maybe you should join your local club and realize that it's about more than just Land Cruisers. It's about the people you meet, become friends with, and would feel welcome to call up any time for any reason at all.
As far as Mark leaving, if you DO buy the back issues and read them (that has been my project over the past few months, finally completed), you will realize a little bit of HOW MUCH Mark has put into this association and the Trails. Do you know how many times he's answered the question about muriatic acid to clean heater cores? It's simply amazing, and I'm surprised he didn't quit a long time ago. But you know what? I have a life too outside of TLCA just as he does so I understand perfectly. I'm glad he is still in the community and on the boards, and I look forward to meeting him someday. I'm also looking forward to the new tech editor, I scanned the tech section and it looked pretty good. I don't see anything wrong with getting different voices out there and different approaches/methods.
TLCA/Toyota Trails/your LOCAL CLUB is what you make of it. Participate in it, don't just quit. There are a ton of different people here and we all have different ideas, it's a give and take.
And maybe you should join your local club and realize that it's about more than just Land Cruisers. It's about the people you meet, become friends with, and would feel welcome to call up any time for any reason at all.
As far as Mark leaving, if you DO buy the back issues and read them (that has been my project over the past few months, finally completed), you will realize a little bit of HOW MUCH Mark has put into this association and the Trails. Do you know how many times he's answered the question about muriatic acid to clean heater cores? It's simply amazing, and I'm surprised he didn't quit a long time ago. But you know what? I have a life too outside of TLCA just as he does so I understand perfectly. I'm glad he is still in the community and on the boards, and I look forward to meeting him someday. I'm also looking forward to the new tech editor, I scanned the tech section and it looked pretty good. I don't see anything wrong with getting different voices out there and different approaches/methods.
TLCA/Toyota Trails/your LOCAL CLUB is what you make of it. Participate in it, don't just quit. There are a ton of different people here and we all have different ideas, it's a give and take.
I am a new member to TLCA this year. I drive a new FJ Cruiser. I think the cover of the Tacoma looks super cool.. I look at it frequently and wonder what it would be like to 4x4 in a different rig then mine, different lines, feel, etc...
In my opinion in order for organizations to grow and stay healthy, incorporation of newer models of the same premise is a natural progression.
It would seem forced and unnatural to be exclusionary and just keep the TLCA as a 40's club.
Certainly, the TLCA organization has a great heritage in the people that make up the organization and in the trucks that started it all..
I have heard arguments to change the TLCA name so that it sounds more inlcusive of all rigs but I personally like belonging to the TLCA as named and proudly display my sticker twice on my rig. It makes me feel like I belong to a longstanding organization of 4x4s.. Also the great pictures and articles of the older truks help me learn more and more about the roots from where my FJC has been created..
My club has a great heritage in older rigs, as well... The Rising Sun club has been great in welcoming me into the fold as a new member with a new rig.
Rumor has it that the FJCs are nearing their end of the factory run, just like fj40, 60's and 80's have before them....I hope we welcome the next Toyota 4x4 creation and owner with open arms and open minds...
I am glad I am just now being introduced to the likes of Pete's attitude.
In my humble opinion the TLCA membership would be better off without such attitudes of exclusion and sour grapes.
Pete we live in a great country where you can speak your mind..
Your opinion matters to you and those that share it. I hope there are more that feel differently..
In my opinion in order for organizations to grow and stay healthy, incorporation of newer models of the same premise is a natural progression.
It would seem forced and unnatural to be exclusionary and just keep the TLCA as a 40's club.
Certainly, the TLCA organization has a great heritage in the people that make up the organization and in the trucks that started it all..
I have heard arguments to change the TLCA name so that it sounds more inlcusive of all rigs but I personally like belonging to the TLCA as named and proudly display my sticker twice on my rig. It makes me feel like I belong to a longstanding organization of 4x4s.. Also the great pictures and articles of the older truks help me learn more and more about the roots from where my FJC has been created..
My club has a great heritage in older rigs, as well... The Rising Sun club has been great in welcoming me into the fold as a new member with a new rig.
Rumor has it that the FJCs are nearing their end of the factory run, just like fj40, 60's and 80's have before them....I hope we welcome the next Toyota 4x4 creation and owner with open arms and open minds...
I am glad I am just now being introduced to the likes of Pete's attitude.
In my humble opinion the TLCA membership would be better off without such attitudes of exclusion and sour grapes.
Pete we live in a great country where you can speak your mind..
Your opinion matters to you and those that share it. I hope there are more that feel differently..
Last edited:
I was not going to speak on this discussion cause my participation with the TLCA is near non-exsistant cause of my location /family life. My father was a member of the TLCA back in the day or at least participated in events when he could partake.If it was not for the this club myself or him would have not found cruisers or Toyotas in general. I have always felt welcome or a sense of freinship around Toyota owners. Never have I felt that any where else....period. Toyota's are not just a ride folks it is a way of life.
If they want to put a Camry up on the front cover....hell let them cause I am just gratefull TLCA is around along with IH8mud.com. As far as Mark not doing the tech part anymore...well change is a part of life if you do not like it..tough.
Good luck Mark
If they want to put a Camry up on the front cover....hell let them cause I am just gratefull TLCA is around along with IH8mud.com. As far as Mark not doing the tech part anymore...well change is a part of life if you do not like it..tough.
Good luck Mark
Folks, you're missing the obvious. Everyone liked Mark's tech column: the President of TLCA, the editor of TT, the BOD, and the members. Everyone.
Do you seriously think the TLCA BOD had a conversation along the lines of: "Hey, everyone loves Mark Whatley's tech column. Let's fire him and piss everyone off!"
C'mon, get a grip on reality.
No matter how good you are at something or how much you have loved doing it, sometimes you decide to make a change. When one door closes, another one opens. The smart people close the doors themselves. Mark has moved on. TLCA has thanked him for his many years as tech editor and found a new highly-qualified person to take on the job.
Tech will continue with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. It will continue to be great.
If you cancel your TLCA membership, you'll be missing out. It will be your loss. Personally, the $30/year is well worth the money. If I read one tech tip a year that helps me, I've probably saved more than $30 right there.
If you don't like the fact that there isn't an FJ40 on every cover, that's a completely different issue than the Tech Editor job. TLCA isn't an antique car club. The decision was made in the early 80s to allow the owner of any Toyota 4WD with a transfer case into the club. Some of you folks doing the griping probably weren't even born then.
Just wait. I predict Toyota will produce a real, rugged 4WD vehicle in the next 10 years WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR! Oh, the horror, the shame. Can you imagine the gnashing of teeth if they actually call it a Land Cruiser?
Do you seriously think the TLCA BOD had a conversation along the lines of: "Hey, everyone loves Mark Whatley's tech column. Let's fire him and piss everyone off!"
C'mon, get a grip on reality.
No matter how good you are at something or how much you have loved doing it, sometimes you decide to make a change. When one door closes, another one opens. The smart people close the doors themselves. Mark has moved on. TLCA has thanked him for his many years as tech editor and found a new highly-qualified person to take on the job.
Tech will continue with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. It will continue to be great.
If you cancel your TLCA membership, you'll be missing out. It will be your loss. Personally, the $30/year is well worth the money. If I read one tech tip a year that helps me, I've probably saved more than $30 right there.
If you don't like the fact that there isn't an FJ40 on every cover, that's a completely different issue than the Tech Editor job. TLCA isn't an antique car club. The decision was made in the early 80s to allow the owner of any Toyota 4WD with a transfer case into the club. Some of you folks doing the griping probably weren't even born then.
Just wait. I predict Toyota will produce a real, rugged 4WD vehicle in the next 10 years WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR! Oh, the horror, the shame. Can you imagine the gnashing of teeth if they actually call it a Land Cruiser?
