What do you want to see in Toyota Trails?

What do you want to see more of in Toyota Trails?

  • Tech (like woody's hybrid axle article)

    Votes: 40 20.0%

  • Maintenance (like how to adjust your valves)

    Votes: 53 26.5%

  • Trail Reports (like Cruise Moab 05 for example)

    Votes: 50 25.0%

  • Adventure (like the Tuby Explorer Series)

    Votes: 32 16.0%

  • Non-Cruiser Stuff (like mini/tcaoma/4Runner)

    Votes: 10 5.0%

  • Other: please post in thread!

    Votes: 15 7.5%
  • Total voters
    200

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Howdy folks;
Thanks for your suggewstions, and please keep them coming. While it's true that this gives us in TLCA management an idea of what we ought to be doing to keep y'all happy, I also started this thread with ulterior motives;)
Toyota Trails is filled, primarily, with member submitted materials. So! the best way to get what you want into TT is to...uhhh...write it:) Many of your ideas are great ones that I'd enjoy seeing in TT as well. As an extra added bonus, in some cases we do pay for submissions to Trails...

So, get to work, and I look forward to seeing you "in the Trails!"
 
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I originally joined TLCA to learn how to fix my junk myself, and where to find parts to do it. Learning to wheel and meeting so many cool folks was a huge bonus. But I still love the tech. Mark Whatley's P/S article using the 60 box is an example of the kind of stuff I love. His 2F oiling article is another. For upcoming ideas, how about something on rust repair? I think pretty much everyone who has a 40 series has to deal with this at one point or another.
 
Like many others, I subscribe to other 4WD mags and what I like about TT is that articles aren't always shortened to fit in another Warn winch ad. Mark W's column is great, in that there are *many* questions and *long/complete* answers - not 3 questions with glib answers or bland answers by some safety Nazi. The fact that I cannot fly through a TT in 20 minutes means there's actually something to read.

I most enjoy the Tech articles and anything with depth. How to rebuild it articles (starters, alternators, x-fer cases, whatever) are great. Any 'trick' solutions to everyday problems. Rust repair articles would be great to see, using various high and low dollar approaches. (I know, Todd - 'Why don't you write one...')

Tubby the Explorer was (IMO) too long and too bland. Multi-part articles should span only a couple of issues. I had to force myself to read it just to get my money's-worth from my TLCA membership.

I like the high production quality and good copy editing of TT and the family-friendly ads/pictures/stories - we don't need it to look like Low Rider magazine. It's a classy magazine for a classy organization.


Steve
'65 FJ45, '78 FJ40, '95 FZJ80, etc.
 
Steve,
Thanks for your input. It's stuff like this that helps give us direction and affirmation-I appreciate it.
And of course, "write an article!"

Thanks, Alan
 
Waggoner5 said:
My truck
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Even if it were posted on the web, still a article would be nice with some high resolution pics and some close ups of the workmanship.

Lottsa people do not visit the web.

Couple of the local canucks cannot stop talking about that build and would like to see more.

Rob
 
I'm really intersted in the custom 13.5 gal. aux tank that was written up in the back of a recent issue (80 series). Unfortunately, no dimensions were given on the custom tank.

Do you have the author's contact or that info?

thanks
 
Kaderabek said:
I don't give out contact information but I did let Royal know that you'd like to speak with him.

TJK
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hmmm...that comment got me thinking (seldom a good idea :-). Todd, how about when you accept an article, ask the author if they want or do not want their contact info published at the end of the article. If they don't respond, it could default to "not". But a lot of us don't mind, and a lot of times readers would like to know a little more about some detail that didn't make it into the article.
 
Rzeppa said:
hmmm...that comment got me thinking (seldom a good idea :-). Todd, how about when you accept an article, ask the author if they want or do not want their contact info published at the end of the article. If they don't respond, it could default to "not". But a lot of us don't mind, and a lot of times readers would like to know a little more about some detail that didn't make it into the article.
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I would like that!:bounce:
 
Kaderabek said:
Like your contact information being posted? Or like contacting people?

TJK
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I was referring to the author's contact info; I *think* that's what Mark wrote that he would like also?

What had made me think of it was FirstToy's comment, combined with the fact that I have observed that it is common in newspaper and magazine columns and articles to give the author's contact info, typically at the end of the column or article.
 
I was just curious if Mark in particular would want his personal contact information printed. Of if he meant that he'd like to see other author's information posted so he could cross examine them. :D

TJK
 
Kaderabek said:
I was just curious if Mark in particular would want his personal contact information printed. Of if he meant that he'd like to see other author's information posted so he could cross examine them. :D

TJK
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Now that's more like the Todd I know!;p

We've been down this road before; I would LOVE to have my shop contact info added at the end of my articles. Perhaps others would feel that is crossing some line that is different from private parties providing contact info. If so, I understand. But it never hurts to ask.

Best

Mark A.
 
I think we still put "Mark Algazy owns Mark's Offroad in Burbank, California" at the end of your regular features. Didn't put it after the Roundup article though. No particular reason.

TJK
 
I personally have no problem with shop contact info as long as the article isn't a blatant advertisement (doubtfull. I think Todd is pretty good about that)

If the article is a good one with helpful content I see no reason it shouldn't stand as a little window into the qualities and interests of the shop. It's a good way for members that don't have a lot of contact with our communities (have never seen work first hand) to gain some insight.

And boy..... if the shop could buy an ad right on the same page, wouldn't that be great!

..... read an article... ex: "written my Mark from Marks Off Road ###-###-#### / name@com" then the nice ad is right beside it to make it easy to find????
priceless :D

I think shops have a lot to offer and if they are willing to give up some trade secrets, and willing to put the time into the article, they should be able to.

no?
 
Klunky Chris said:
I personally have no problem with shop contact info as long as the article isn't a blatant advertisement (doubtfull. I think Todd is pretty good about that)

If the article is a good one with helpful content I see no reason it shouldn't stand as a little window into the qualities and interests of the shop. It's a good way for members that don't have a lot of contact with our communities (have never seen work first hand) to gain some insight.

And boy..... if the shop could buy an ad right on the same page, wouldn't that be great!

..... read an article... ex: "written my Mark from Marks Off Road ###-###-#### / name@com" then the nice ad is right beside it to make it easy to find????
priceless :D

I think shops have a lot to offer and if they are willing to give up some trade secrets, and willing to put the time into the article, they should be able to.

no?
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Yes. I agree that there's nothing inherently wrong with a shop owner who writes an article having their contact info in the article. Among the reasons I joined TLCA was for the ads in Trails: to find out where to find parts. I'm sure there are a lot of members who are equally interested in where they can take their rig to get work done.

I'm not so sure about having the paid ad right next to the article. That's what the a lot of the 4x4 rags do, and it makes those other rags seem like they are too much in bed with their advertisers. I prefer the way Trails is done, it's more tasteful and doesn't make it seem like an ad-driven publication.
 
I referenced my vendors/suppliers in my ToyBox article. I don't see a problem with that kind of thing. :grinpimp:
 
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