Outdoor Adventure USA

OK, time to introduce myself.

My name is Dana, I live in the San Fernando Valley (northern part of the city of Los Angeles). I've been into wheeling for about 14 years, I used to drive a heavily modified Jeep Cherokee.

I became interested in LandCruisers about 12 years ago, (after fixing my Jeep once too many times) and I've owned almost every model except an FJ55. I currently have two cruisers, (actually more, but I digress). One is a 1983 BJ42, kind of a rare model. It looks exactly like the FJ40, but it's a factory 4-cylinder diesel. I don't drive it much anymore, since I bought my current wheeler, a 1991 FJ80 that was converted to a diesel. That's the one I usually drive now, when I go wheeling. It's a pretty faithful toyota conversion, with the Toyota 1HD-T engine, and has all the Toyota bits, except for gas and air filters.

I really like the diesels for offroad use. Great torque, and great fuel range offroad.

I also have a 1997 FZJ80 with a bad motor sitting in my driveway, and a 1996 JDM "half-cut" HDJ-80. This has the next-generation diesel, the 24 Valve 1HD-FT engine. When I get brave enough (or foolish enough) to begin, I'll do the conversion. I'm trying to gather more info on the electronics. When done, that should be a sweet rig.

I was a member of the LCML WAY back, but when I sold my last FJ40, I migrated away and joined other forums including several 80-series boards, and of course the ubiquitous "MUD" board.

I'm an amateur radio licensee, I don't use the hobby much except for offroad comms. I have a couple of Yaesu 2M mobile radios, and a Kenwood tri-band HT. I also do have a CB unit that I bring if I have to.

I'm not really into the Johnson-Valley-Style rockcrawling, rather I enjoy expedition-style exploratory runs. I love to explore and can spend all day going around the "next corner" to see what's there. I guess I've got wanderlust in my veins!

Other stuff: I love to car camp, married for a long time to a wonderful lady, 3 adult kids, frustrated musician, and used to be an extreme hiker until I wore my knees out hiking too much!

Lots more, of course, but gotta leave something for the campfire!

This looks like a great resource, looking forward to meeting some of you folks soon.

Dana

Welcome to OAUSA, Dana! Looking forward to seeing you and your diesel rig on the trail!

Welcome Dana,

quite the fleet you have going, I am sure you will enjoy what OAUSA has to offer.

Hector

Welcome to the forum! Lookin' forward to meeting ya out on the Mojave.

Hey, Dana, welcome aboard !!

I, too, have been a Landcruiser nut, although I sold all except my current FJ Cruiser (had an FJ40, FJ60, FJ62, and 2 FZJ80s). I also am a frustrated musician (a drummer - eternally looking for a jam session, but never enough time to arrange one...).

Look for to seeing your diesel cruiser out on the trail...

(By the way, what instrument do you play ?)

Welcome. Are you on Mud-SoCal80?

cruiserlarry wrote:Hey, Dana, welcome aboard !!

I, too, have been a Landcruiser nut, although I sold all except my current FJ Cruiser (had an FJ40, FJ60, FJ62, and 2 FZJ80s). I also am a frustrated musician (a drummer - eternally looking for a jam session, but never enough time to arrange one...).

Look for to seeing your diesel cruiser out on the trail...

(By the way, what instrument do you play ?)

Good question.

I took classical piano many years ago as a kid, was in a garage band during the 60's and 70's, played keyboards. Lost interest for a few years, then re-kindled it for about 5 years, then dropped it again, and I haven't really played for about 20 years now. I also doubled for awhile as a rhythm guitarist. To say I'm a bit rusty on these instruments is the understatement.

About 3 years ago, I decided to go in a different direction. I took alto sax for a year, then clarinet, now flute. Having fun with them. I play clarinet in a local orchestra to improve technique. I have a whole new respect for wind players now.

Somewhere in there I also dabbled at the violin.

Jack of all trades, master of none!

I'm getting to the point on the clarinet that I'd like to hook up with some people to form a small trio or quartet.

Hawkeye, you said: Welcome. Are you on Mud-SoCal80?

Yes, I"m on there. I have wheeled with a few of the members that also know some of the NorCal 80's bunch. Also I've met some of the guys at the Surf n Turf. I've also wheeled with some of the TrailCrew over the years.

Dana

Dana, welcome to the forum.

Welcome.

I would love to see some pics. What I would do for a TD in my 80

Welcome to the forum Dana... I look forward to chatting with you on the trail some time. Looks like you have plenty to offer to the group. Show us some pictures of those rigs. We have an Outdoor Adventure Vehicle section you were you can start your own threads on your various rigs.