Danedellarossa
Daneger
I've had a lot of 4x4s. Not as many as some people @2fpower 
Brief recap of the last 15 years...Bought an XJ, bought a built XJ, bought a more built XJ, bought a super built TJ; that TJ blew up 20 miles from civilization, in a valley, in a blizzard. Got rescued by a Good Samaritan in an FJ40, drove us home but left the Jeep. Had to go back and get the TJ. Some guys who worked at 4 wheel parts offered to recover it. They had a mini truck and an FJ60. Immediately I sold the TJ and bought a Tacoma. Had a kid. Bought a 93 FZJ80 in Kansas City, MO. I loved the comfort and bulletproof feel of it. But, the engine was tired and it was too big and heavy for the narrow trails i frequented. (Should have kept it, but i wouldn't be posting this serendipitous story if i did that). Sold the 80, bought a Turbo 1st gen 4runner. Sold that. Deployed to Korea. Came home without a car, bought a Subaru. Needed another project - bought a v8 1st gen 4runner, put an 80 locking rear axle in it because I just couldn't let go. Moved to MN from CO, drug the 4R cross country, worked on it couple more years. Traded it for a Samurai buggy (yellow/green). That thing was awesome but too easy and not Toyota. Traded the Samurai for another 1st Gen runner. Didn't like stock IFS. Traded that for a 4wheeler with plow - snow blowing was getting old.
For the next year I lived hobby-less while navigated foster care and adoption. My wife never told me I had to sell my projects, I would just get frustrated because I couldn’t balance time and expectations well enough. I wanted to wrench and have an outlet, but I also wanted to be a perfect father and husband. I thought that in order to be dedicated to my family, I couldn’t, or didn’t deserve to also do the things that I liked to do. In my head, 4wheeling just didn't fit in anymore. I never stopped wishing for a way to take the whole family and share my passion. I was content, but still frequented Marketplace
One day something magical happened...a picture of a gigantic land cruiser on top of a waterfall graced my computer screen. I said to myself, my wife, all my coworkers, my brother, and anyone that would listen, or respond to a FB message - "If I drew my dream rig, it would look like a crappier version of this!" I've always loved and missed my 80, but my local club is full of guys who run 1-ton or bigger buggies. The fact that it was still for sale boggled my mind. Maybe the purists are mad. Good for me because this is the most perfect iteration of an FZJ80 that has ever been, at least for my family, and the local terrain of Northern MN. The closest OHV Park is basically dug up boulders from the Rockefeller mining days that the DNR made trails out of. I didn’t want just seats, a roll cage and tires (like those crazy K10 trucks in Moab that give tours), but I also need something bigger than a stock cruiser. I didn't even think to look for something like FOO because I didn't think it existed: A 7-seat crawler on 40's (and portals); nothing like that even crossed my mind.
There’s a lesson here. God has challenged our family to the max the last two years. Through all of it, I’ve been reminded that he not only loves us unconditionally, but even cares about the things we care about, down to the simplest thing; off-roading, and sharing the sport with others. Just when I was ready to surrender and stop searching, divine intervention struck. FOO is not a need, and it is lavish and unnecessary - but to me, it’s not just a toy. FOO is a symbol of God blessing through many trials, and I believe he has rewarded me. I not only want to share memories with my own wife and kids (1 girl, 3 boys), but take other kids out as well. Nature is a way to escape from the daily stress of life’s circumstances. I believe we are supposed to carry that burden together. I want to get more kids into off-roading and also bring awareness to childhood trauma. I started a non-profit this year, even before I bought FOO: TRUCKS FOR TRAUMA. I found a rusty 95 4runner ($500) that I was going to use for the cause. Before my trip to pick up FOO, I gave that truck to a 13 year old boy who loves all things cars. He’s had a hard year with the loss of his little brother last summer. I took him wheeling in the fall and let him drive the 4runner. First car he’s ever driven and he smiled bigger than I’ve ever seen him smile. Possessions don’t fix problems, but togetherness can help in the healing process. FOO is the first step in making life-long memories for my family, and helping others to realize God’s goodness by sharing our story. Needless to say, the timing was perfect and I could not be happier.
Kelly, the original owner is a world class human being with amazing vision, skills and hospitality; His darling wife has the most joyous laugh; His daughter Anna is the kindest teenager that I've ever met. I got to spend 24 hours with this all-star cast, as well as a motley crew of other Tornado Alley Cruisers. Such a great trip, and they didn't give me crap for taking FOO out of the club and the region. Sorry about the door Kelly. I think I was just too amazed at what she could do - the tree straddling seemed inconsequential. FOO will be well taken care of, and most of all enjoyed. I cannot wait to put all 6 of us in this luxurious rock stomping machine and get some sunshine and fresh air. Thanks to all who helped build it, and for showing us a great time at Tuttle. My buddy Shawn is a mini truck guy, so he’s not on MUD, but thanks to him as well. If you need a rig moved across country, he’s great at hauling, and great company. Cheers!
Brief recap of the last 15 years...Bought an XJ, bought a built XJ, bought a more built XJ, bought a super built TJ; that TJ blew up 20 miles from civilization, in a valley, in a blizzard. Got rescued by a Good Samaritan in an FJ40, drove us home but left the Jeep. Had to go back and get the TJ. Some guys who worked at 4 wheel parts offered to recover it. They had a mini truck and an FJ60. Immediately I sold the TJ and bought a Tacoma. Had a kid. Bought a 93 FZJ80 in Kansas City, MO. I loved the comfort and bulletproof feel of it. But, the engine was tired and it was too big and heavy for the narrow trails i frequented. (Should have kept it, but i wouldn't be posting this serendipitous story if i did that). Sold the 80, bought a Turbo 1st gen 4runner. Sold that. Deployed to Korea. Came home without a car, bought a Subaru. Needed another project - bought a v8 1st gen 4runner, put an 80 locking rear axle in it because I just couldn't let go. Moved to MN from CO, drug the 4R cross country, worked on it couple more years. Traded it for a Samurai buggy (yellow/green). That thing was awesome but too easy and not Toyota. Traded the Samurai for another 1st Gen runner. Didn't like stock IFS. Traded that for a 4wheeler with plow - snow blowing was getting old.
For the next year I lived hobby-less while navigated foster care and adoption. My wife never told me I had to sell my projects, I would just get frustrated because I couldn’t balance time and expectations well enough. I wanted to wrench and have an outlet, but I also wanted to be a perfect father and husband. I thought that in order to be dedicated to my family, I couldn’t, or didn’t deserve to also do the things that I liked to do. In my head, 4wheeling just didn't fit in anymore. I never stopped wishing for a way to take the whole family and share my passion. I was content, but still frequented Marketplace
One day something magical happened...a picture of a gigantic land cruiser on top of a waterfall graced my computer screen. I said to myself, my wife, all my coworkers, my brother, and anyone that would listen, or respond to a FB message - "If I drew my dream rig, it would look like a crappier version of this!" I've always loved and missed my 80, but my local club is full of guys who run 1-ton or bigger buggies. The fact that it was still for sale boggled my mind. Maybe the purists are mad. Good for me because this is the most perfect iteration of an FZJ80 that has ever been, at least for my family, and the local terrain of Northern MN. The closest OHV Park is basically dug up boulders from the Rockefeller mining days that the DNR made trails out of. I didn’t want just seats, a roll cage and tires (like those crazy K10 trucks in Moab that give tours), but I also need something bigger than a stock cruiser. I didn't even think to look for something like FOO because I didn't think it existed: A 7-seat crawler on 40's (and portals); nothing like that even crossed my mind.
There’s a lesson here. God has challenged our family to the max the last two years. Through all of it, I’ve been reminded that he not only loves us unconditionally, but even cares about the things we care about, down to the simplest thing; off-roading, and sharing the sport with others. Just when I was ready to surrender and stop searching, divine intervention struck. FOO is not a need, and it is lavish and unnecessary - but to me, it’s not just a toy. FOO is a symbol of God blessing through many trials, and I believe he has rewarded me. I not only want to share memories with my own wife and kids (1 girl, 3 boys), but take other kids out as well. Nature is a way to escape from the daily stress of life’s circumstances. I believe we are supposed to carry that burden together. I want to get more kids into off-roading and also bring awareness to childhood trauma. I started a non-profit this year, even before I bought FOO: TRUCKS FOR TRAUMA. I found a rusty 95 4runner ($500) that I was going to use for the cause. Before my trip to pick up FOO, I gave that truck to a 13 year old boy who loves all things cars. He’s had a hard year with the loss of his little brother last summer. I took him wheeling in the fall and let him drive the 4runner. First car he’s ever driven and he smiled bigger than I’ve ever seen him smile. Possessions don’t fix problems, but togetherness can help in the healing process. FOO is the first step in making life-long memories for my family, and helping others to realize God’s goodness by sharing our story. Needless to say, the timing was perfect and I could not be happier.
Kelly, the original owner is a world class human being with amazing vision, skills and hospitality; His darling wife has the most joyous laugh; His daughter Anna is the kindest teenager that I've ever met. I got to spend 24 hours with this all-star cast, as well as a motley crew of other Tornado Alley Cruisers. Such a great trip, and they didn't give me crap for taking FOO out of the club and the region. Sorry about the door Kelly. I think I was just too amazed at what she could do - the tree straddling seemed inconsequential. FOO will be well taken care of, and most of all enjoyed. I cannot wait to put all 6 of us in this luxurious rock stomping machine and get some sunshine and fresh air. Thanks to all who helped build it, and for showing us a great time at Tuttle. My buddy Shawn is a mini truck guy, so he’s not on MUD, but thanks to him as well. If you need a rig moved across country, he’s great at hauling, and great company. Cheers!
