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"Animal" — 1970 FJ40 For me and my wife, Ellen, this vehicle was the perfect choice. To some, a vehicle is transportation, a convenience, or a tool that's usually taken for granted. For us, a vehicle is something to be used to it's potential (but not abused), then taken very good care of to keep it in good working order.
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 Many people buy a four-wheel drive, and then really get interested
in four wheeling without knowing what type of vehicle they should have bought in the first
place. I've been through enough four-wheel drives that I've got a VERY balanced and thorough
viewpoint on them. In the last twenty years, I've owned the following four wheel drives: a '78
Scout II, an '80 Blazer, an '84Blazer, a '72 Chevy long bed, an '80 Ramcharger, a '77 Chevy short
bed, a '74CJ5, and two Suburbans. (You might notice that there are no FORDS in that list!) After
this wide variety of vehicles, this gives me something to compare my 'Cruiser to, and I couldn't
be happier with my'Cruiser! I am frequently reminded what a unique combination of abilities a
Land Cruiser possesses. |
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  That's me & Ellen - Nov. '99 |
Some four-wheel drive vehicles are great on the
highway, and some people build single purpose rigs that are awesome on extreme obstacles, but no
longer streetable. A 'Cruiser is a wonderful combination of the two. I think the best thing
about a 'Cruiser is that with a few tried and true modifications, it's capable of being driven
on the highway for a couple of hundred miles carrying camping gear, then 'wheeling the wee out
of it for a weekend, then returning home in one piece (usually under its own power, but
sometimes with the help of a good friend like Dave Lay!). It may not conquer EVERY obstacle
that can be found, but it'll do the vast majority of the obstacles on almost any trail or road
that actually leads somewhere. And that's what I love to do most with my 'Cruiser. Get out in
God’s country to see creeks and valleys and bluffs and mountain tops that most people never get
a chance to see.
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Here's my list of modifications: Chevy V-8, Modified Quadra jet Carburetor Flow master exhaust, Edelbrock Performer intake HEI Ignition, SM465 transmission 3-speed style transfer case, Front and rear lockers 4 inch Skyjacker springs, U-bolt skid plates 4 wheel power disc brakes, Saginaw power steering Reinforced drag link and tie rod GM tilt wheel, on-board air Warn 8274 winch, Five point racing style harnesses Custom built rear tire rack with full size spare 35 inch BFG ATs and 16 35 x 15 Boggers on MRT 36 bolt beadlocks |
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