Mark Whatley and TLCA

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Wow this is the 1st I have heard that Mark has stepped down as Toyota Trails tech editor officially. I am very sad to learn of this. Mark was the 1st TLCA member I ever met in person. I needed a Manual steering box. I went to the 4x4 shop in Anchorage, I asked the guy at the desk if he knew where I could get a steering box. He pointed to Mark Whatley who just happened to be in the store. From then until the time I got orders out of Elmendorf AFB I had my rig in Mark's shop for work a good bit. He always made time to chat when I went there. I know he is super busy running his shop, and I assume he chats with most all of his customers the same way he did with me. With the addition of being the tech editor, and organizing the long expeditions, I can see where one thing had to go. Again I am sad to see his style of writing go, but fully understand.


As for Non Land Cruisers being on the cover. I could care less. I really enjoy the cover shots. I am glad I do not have to sift through what the editor has to to choose a eye catching cover shot. One also which displays the diversity of the TLCA, and it's members.


Thanks for the long run of Tech, Mark!
 
Wow -- this whole thing about "New" vs "Old School" amazes me.

I wonder -- Those that say you avoid articles with FJ Cruisers in them -- Did you avoid my article on Moab last issue? If so, you missed a good run with an FJ40, FJ45 and my FJC. I bothers me just a little that you wouldn't read it because I chose to bring the FJC rather than my FJ40.

I swear -- it is easy to work with Todd and get an article in Trails. Just try to find a "twist" that hasn't been covered before. No one wants to read a minute by minute description of your run, but people love to read about unique situations that you managed to conquer in your Toyota.

For those that want to harp on the whole "Land Cruiser" thing -- guess what? They aren't building anymore FJ40s, or 45s, or 60s or 80s. In 2010 they will stop building the FJC, and the only body on frame will be a merge of the 4Runner and FJC. What will you do then?
 
X2 Woooody !
I hate to think how little wheeling i'd get to do, or how many less friends i'd have if the TLCA was THAT exclusive. To THINK like that would mean i would only wheel or hang around other cruiser owners. If its a TOYOTA, welcome to the club, IMO.
Mike

PS Woooody..................




Just wondering................

























































Does it piss you off when the BRONCO's come to Oakland and hand you you're ass ?
:lol:






Sorry bro, i could'nt resist. See you @ SNT
 
Ya, nice opener on Monday night Woody...

Just so you know, we were thinking about you. I felt pitty.
 
woooody said:
Wow -- this whole thing about "New" vs "Old School" amazes me.

I wonder -- Those that say you avoid articles with FJ Cruisers in them -- Did you avoid my article on Moab last issue? If so, you missed a good run with an FJ40, FJ45 and my FJC. I bothers me just a little that you wouldn't read it because I chose to bring the FJC rather than my FJ40.

I swear -- it is easy to work with Todd and get an article in Trails. Just try to find a "twist" that hasn't been covered before. No one wants to read a minute by minute description of your run, but people love to read about unique situations that you managed to conquer in your Toyota.

For those that want to harp on the whole "Land Cruiser" thing -- guess what? They aren't building anymore FJ40s, or 45s, or 60s or 80s. In 2010 they will stop building the FJC, and the only body on frame will be a merge of the 4Runner and FJC. What will you do then?
Click to expand...

Uh, buy a Jeep? :lol:
 
I have to admit I was pretty bummed to hear Mark was leaving.

Mark was the reason I went back and bought back issues of the Trails.

Mark was the inspiration for my 60 series PS conversion on my 40.

Having said all that, I think Mr. Bill WheelWright did a damn fine job on his first time taking the Tech Column.
 
zornff said:
X2 Woooody !


PS Woooody..................


Just wondering................



Does it piss you off when the BRONCO's come to Oakland and hand you you're ass ?
:lol:


Sorry bro, i could'nt resist. See you @ SNT
Click to expand...

Pre-Game was much better than the game.... We had ESPN come by to film/eat. Also had ABC and the local NBC station.
espn_tg.jpg
 
Last edited:
woooody said:
Wow -- this whole thing about "New" vs "Old School" amazes me.

I wonder -- Those that say you avoid articles with FJ Cruisers in them -- Did you avoid my article on Moab last issue? If so, you missed a good run with an FJ40, FJ45 and my FJC. I bothers me just a little that you wouldn't read it because I chose to bring the FJC rather than my FJ40.

I swear -- it is easy to work with Todd and get an article in Trails. Just try to find a "twist" that hasn't been covered before. No one wants to read a minute by minute description of your run, but people love to read about unique situations that you managed to conquer in your Toyota.

For those that want to harp on the whole "Land Cruiser" thing -- guess what? They aren't building anymore FJ40s, or 45s, or 60s or 80s. In 2010 they will stop building the FJC, and the only body on frame will be a merge of the 4Runner and FJC. What will you do then?
Click to expand...

I don't want to start an old school vs new school debate, but I think I should give this a go to explain my old school thinking (even though I am not that old myself).

I don't understand what amazes you about old school vs new school, people have tastes, you can't change what people like, heck, some people out there actually like Honda Ridgelines. I like old school diesel cruisers, and there isn't a thing anyone can say to change my mind, and really I could care less about the next thing Toyota is bringing out, as long as I can always get parts for my Cruiser I am happy. And its not like I will never read FJC articles, I just skip them, usually read Marks rant first, then if I see some cool pics and an article of a non TLCA event (cause it does seem like no matter new school or old school, they are usually pretty similar year to year ( again not saying I don't read them all, just put them off)) will read that, then the mag sits for a while cause I don't got time, and when I get bored one day, I might skim a new school article or two. Not ragging on the FJC the new school wagons get the same treatment from me, especially when pictures show tame wheeling in stock trucks.

Don't worry though, I am not upset about anything, and I will continue to support TLCA no matter what, and am still a big fan of the Trails. Old school is what I like, and old school is what I hope for every time I wait for the next Trails issue, but if I am dissapointed, I can only blame my self or other old school cruiser owners for not stepping up. Please don't worry that when I see a photo of an FJC I don't really have the urge to read the article, I was inflicted with the old school cruiser bug, not the "I love all Toyotas" bug (eventhough I think they are better than most other things out there). But a lot of you guys protecting the new school better realize most of the old school supporters are not young and more open minded like me, some are cranky and stubborn. We have to stop bashing them, accept the fact they only like old school, and convince them something is better than nothing and even though there are a lot of new schoolers out there, there will always be a place for all the old stubborn hardcores and they won't just get steamrolled.
Cheers,
Deny
 
Deny,

While I certainly agree that people have different tastes, I don't really see much bashing of the old-schoolers here. It's the old-schoolers, or really mainly Pete I guess, who is saying he's leaving TLCA b/c they have abandoned the Land Cruiser and others are trying to inject some realism. There's nothing wrong with prefering old school, but you have to be realistic about TLCA. And I don't mean "you" as in YOU, but folks in general. TLCA has evolved as have the tastes of its membership and the offerings in the Toyota 4x4 lineup. There will always be the "old timers" who think that only old stuff is cool. That's fine. I've got no problem with that. However, they've gotta realize that the TLCA does include mini-trucks, 4Runners, FJC's, etc. and has for a LONG time. We all realize it started with the Land Cruiser, but if the organization allows those trucks, then you're going to see those trucks in TT. Like you said Deny, you can just ignore it if you want.

I'm one of the organizers for the East Coast 4Runner Jamboree each year. This past year was the 8th year and it's never been JUST 4Runners. Every year there have also been mini's, 40's, 80's, FJC's, and even an off-brand truck every now and then. There was talk of changing the name after a few years and we asked some attendees what they thought and they said they prefered the EC4RJ name b/c that's how it started. I don't think we've ever had someone say they weren't going to attend b/c there were going to be non-4Runners at the 4Runner Jamboree.
 
I know Fort Knox, every thing you say I agree with 100%, even your initial responce to "old timer" Pete

I am just stating it the way I see it, everytime an old timer comes on here screaming and yelling, it seems he has a 50% to 50% responce of either a: the good responce of explaining the situation about change (which in my opinion could sometimes be nicer, just to let him know he is not forgotten about and not to worry that the old school 40s will always be involved); and b: screw off we don't need your old school thinking. And the way I see it getting rid of the old timers will cost the TLCA a lot in the future.

Also there is a lot of guys (and gals) that share my point of view but usually don't get involved in these types of debates (as I normally stay out of them too, because I definately don't want to offend the new schoolers cause I think they have a lot to contribute and as I said before they are all cool trucks, and without them the trails might get affected in a negative way also) But again just telling the old timers to get lost will impact this portion of TLCA members because with less and less old school trucks in the mag some of these people might reconsider their membership.

Just my two cents, don't hate me cause I speak my mind and would like to keep the old timers around even if they are cranky and grumpy.
Cheers,
Deny
 
No hatin' at all Deny. I agree with you on pretty much everything you're saying. I agree 100% that we've gotta keep the old timers around and that losing them would hurt TLCA. Heck, I hope to be an old-timer myself one day. I just don't see any point in leaving the organization that devotes the most time out of any other organization to Land Cruisers b/c they also talk about other Toyota 4x4's. However, if anyone, even an old-timer, feels like it's not worth $30 per year to stick around b/c they saw a Tacoma on the cover of TT or b/c the FJ Cruiser guys submit more articles, then I guess I have little patience for that.

:cheers:
 
Sigh...
Yep, see ya, Pete.
I hate to pile on... but read the bylaws... they clearly state that to be a member you must own a TOYOTA TRUCK. It's been that way for longer than you have probably been a TLCA member. So, when you joined it was already written.
Do you belong to a local TLCA chapter? I don't expect you to answer that, of course. But I assume not.

Happy Trails Mark! Thanks for all your work and great Tech advise over the years.

Cheers-
Stump
(Mike Thomas)
 
wngrog said:
EDIT, you were supposed to leave in March....why are you still around?
https://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-discussion-forum/210379-what-do-you-all-think-toyota-trails.html
Click to expand...

I didn't realize Pete had tried stirring things up earlier. I didn't read everything on that thread, but the few that I did read, didn't seem too harsh. I guess it's one thing to be grumpy and another to nag every few months about it eventhough it has been explained nicely to you before. I see many of your guys' points. You can only be civil and blurting out :princess: responces for so long before you make yourself puke.
 
woooody said:
Pre-Game was much better than the game.... We had ESPN come by to film/eat. Also had ABC and the local NBC station.
Click to expand...

People that have not been to the Rubithon and tasted you're BB-QUE are totally missing out. I would kill for you're tri-tip recipe, but then again i would rather have it next June at Rubithon ! We can't wait.
Mike
 
Mark deserves to be voted into the Hall of Fame for all he has done for TLCA.

That said, I cannot imagine in this day and age waiting for TT to get an answer on a tech question. I think the entire section in TT is outdated, but lots of folks like it. Good. I want TT to be read and wanted. It is the life of TLCA and we must embrace the magazine, the content and the superb editor.

Without it, the TLCA would wither and die in my opinion.
 
I'm just going to say this, either take your frustration and do something positive with it (Run for TLCA pres or another position)(or submit an article on your Land Cruiser sojourns) or just go ahead and leave like you said you are going to do. What did you think of the article w/ Grogan's buggy? When it really comes down to the real nuts and bolts, its not actually a Toyota, but it is an increadible vehicle and a well written and interesting article. Enough people have said everything else so I won't repeat it. Different people like different content. Isotel mentioned that he preferrs some things about crawl better that TT. Great! I don't. I think that Crawl comes across as one big add. Just sayin', if you don't like it anymore, then cancel your subscription. What then about Marlin and the other great innovators of non-Land Cruiser Toyota equipment? I don't seem to remember reading about the 40 series guys making life tough for him back in the day....

mY $.02

Blue 60

Thank you Trails editors and staff for all your hard work and for choosing to keep TT current and relevant. (Just like the old-timers did. ;) )
 
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