Enthusiast I
I'm John (Jay), from east Dallas. I have a 2018 TRD ORP that I purchased in mid April and after a lot of time,(3 months) and dollars, I'm nearing completion on our overland buggy! Low mileage with a totally new suspension, new rubber, new bumpers, rock sliders, winch , awnings and privacy tent,. The kitchen and water are close. Need to think the electrical out. but my Eco Flo should get me through the interim. Some roll their wishful eyes at the money I've spent the last three months, but please understand at 75 y/o, I've been researching, planning and saving for this project for a long time.
I have not wheeled for forty years after loving my 1970 Land Cruiser/Manafree build way up in the Smokey Mountains! We had some acreage, and were at a high elevation and surrounded by nine ranges, mostly owned by Liberty Mutual and two National Forests. This meant on a clear day when you could literally see for many miles, you didn't see a single house. Occasionally we would see the sun reflecting off a windshield on the highest point of the Blueridge Pkwy....23 miles away as a crow flies. Most of our wheeling was on old logging trails that went on for miles and miles, and together with the FJ, provisions and a good chain saw, we could go where no one had been for 50-60 years, and they were loggers. I wanted to see more of our beautiful country but it stopped at the Smokies. I have had opportunities to do it, but it just didn't happen. As a single dad in the 80's with one daughter, I wanted to ...but... Now at a young 75, and two adventurous granddaughters, I gotta get it done now or never!
I'll need to take a couple of dry runs to get things worked out and hope to do a few 3-5 day trips soon. All of the digital aids like this site, Gaia, On X, etc. will be a big plus...when I figure how to use them!
I would love to do some close-in meet and greet dry runs in the next 60 days! I have a lot to learn, many questions and need some traveling friends too!
I have not wheeled for forty years after loving my 1970 Land Cruiser/Manafree build way up in the Smokey Mountains! We had some acreage, and were at a high elevation and surrounded by nine ranges, mostly owned by Liberty Mutual and two National Forests. This meant on a clear day when you could literally see for many miles, you didn't see a single house. Occasionally we would see the sun reflecting off a windshield on the highest point of the Blueridge Pkwy....23 miles away as a crow flies. Most of our wheeling was on old logging trails that went on for miles and miles, and together with the FJ, provisions and a good chain saw, we could go where no one had been for 50-60 years, and they were loggers. I wanted to see more of our beautiful country but it stopped at the Smokies. I have had opportunities to do it, but it just didn't happen. As a single dad in the 80's with one daughter, I wanted to ...but... Now at a young 75, and two adventurous granddaughters, I gotta get it done now or never!
I'll need to take a couple of dry runs to get things worked out and hope to do a few 3-5 day trips soon. All of the digital aids like this site, Gaia, On X, etc. will be a big plus...when I figure how to use them!
I would love to do some close-in meet and greet dry runs in the next 60 days! I have a lot to learn, many questions and need some traveling friends too!
