Colorado Land Cruisers is a four-wheel drive club based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and sanctioned by Toyota Land Cruisers Association. We are organized to bring together Toyota owning families and individuals interested in exploring Colorado four-wheel drive trails.
Another year already! I hope everyone had a great holiday season! We had a very small turn out for the club Christmas party. The six that were there a good time nonetheless! I want to thank Kendal and Milly for having us in their wonderful home again this year!
I am looking forward to another great year of wheelin’ with CLC. We will be discussing the trip schedule for this year at the next meeting. Several ideas, new and old, have already been mentioned, so if you have any thoughts or ideas, be sure to come to the meeting.
“Remember we’re all
in this together, I’m pullin’ for ya!”
Andy “Minisrule”
Johnson
President – CLC
Square Tires, Sponge Body…The vintage FJ40
That about sums it up when you get into your vintage FJ40, and the temperature is near zero. It takes a little distance to get the tires round again, and the airflow around the frozen door seals, (the Sponge) ensures that you will not suffer from any carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. After a few miles, she is purring nicely, and the temperature gauge has started to move above the cold peg. Heat is available now! Such a joy, one that is totally missed in the newer generation SUV and 4WD worlds. A single pull on the RH heater switch – (FJ40’s have 2 heater switches, you know.) And the heater motor howls to life. And I mean howls, because below about 10F, the heater motor bearings are noisy for a little while. It lets you know that the motor is now working, and heat is now streaming – (weakly) - into the cabin, surrounding your feet in nice – (sorta) - warm air. A small tug up on the defroster lever brings heated air to the windshield, and now, you can really see just where you are on the highway! Exciting! Especially when you find you are really aren’t going the right direction! After everything warms up, guess what? It’s a normal ride in a Cruiser!
While we all know that vintage Landcruisers are long on stout, we tend to forget that they are woefully short on creature comforts. And, yes, you have to remember; you may need to wear a heavier coat, or maybe 2. The environmental controls allow you to be closer to the prevailing environment than the newer descendents of the Legendary FJ40.
When we look at the Legend, we think about the go anywhere ruggedness, which matches the classic looks. But, we have no idea that at night, with all the flat glass, that when light shines in, it bounces off the inside of the flat glass, and seems to go round and round – forever. The interior reflections at night are at times a little disconcerting, and it takes a little getting used to, especially in town with all the traffic.
And speaking of rugged, Legendary, and vintage, both for Landcruisers and minitrucks, my sister, Joni, lives in eastern California close to the Mammoth Mountain ski area, which has received 10’ of snow. She told me they had 6’of snow where she lives in Lee Vining. Her choice of rides to work, where she manages a resort motel in June Lake? What else? She drives her trusty, legendary (small L) 1989 4WD Toyota pickup, which she and her husband have had since it was new. The 22RE has 196,553 miles now and continues to provide her with a reliable, trusty ride. Joni is perfectly happy with her mini truck, and has no plans to get a newer one. When she has snow to deal with, she locks the hubs, clicks it into 4WD, and off she goes. Oh, and by the way, she has to pay $2.45/gallon for gas – and that is down from something like $2.90!
~ It’s usually warmer when the rubber side is down ~
~ Darryl ~
Next CLC Meeting ~
January 18, 2005 7:00PM
Mark your calendar for CLC’s next meeting, Liberty Toyota, North. Coming items are trip planning for 2005. Where do you want to go? See you there!
TLCA Membership – Got
yours?
Need Cruiser parts?
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/
Next Run ~ ??? ~ January
22, 2005
We are going to plan this run at the Jan 18th meeting. Come with your ideas. With all the snow just west of Colorado Springs, who knows? Check the web page. There is a link to allow you to submit suggestions on and trail run ideas. OR:
CLCtrip@ColoradoLandCruisers.org
Your story here ~ It’s
easy, follow template:
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, FJ40 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and WOW, FJ40 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, no one understood FJ40 blah, blah, blah, blah, and the jeep blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, the FJ40 just pulled him out. blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,<and so on>
<NOTE: template users are free to substitute FJ45, FJ55, FJ60, FJ62, FJ70, FJ80 or minitruck>
FOR SALE ~ FOR SALE ~
FOR SALE
1972 FJ40 front axle. Includes housing, both axles, hubs, bearings, and brakes. NO 3rd member. $125/obo
Darryl ~ (719) 593-9829
2001 28ft enclosed cargo/car trailer. It has
2 5000 pound axles, both with brakes. Tires are in very good shape. There are 6
tie down points in the floor. Outside is in very good condition. The interior
is in good condition. Has a 48" side door and a double "barn"
style rear door. Tows very nice and straight. Brakes work great. I am asking
$4500.00 obo. Motivated seller, so make me an offer. Contact Andy at
719-338-3384 for more info.
Parting
out: ’88 3.0 L IFS 4Runner, Auto trans. The engine caught fire but still runs.
Vehicle is complete from the tires up. All parts are cheap and negotiable. Contact Charlie at work. 719-228-6500.