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Craigslist or Facebook marketplace are great places to find camper shells, I looked for quite a while, but I found the vintage aluminum one for my truck for $100.

I have been to some amazing places in my 1980 Toyota pickup. It’s a great little truck! It’s like a mountain goat on the trails, but it’s not the best highway ride. So I also recently got a 1985 Toyota 4Runner, which when done will be just as good on the trails as the truck, but better on the...

I would look at Toyota 4Runners. I don’t have much experience with the current generation, but they have a great smooth ride! They should be big enough inside to sleep in, and are capable, reliable, and have plenty of aftermarket support. I do have experience with the older generations, my...

Hi Tom, I’m also from Hemet! I’m really looking forward to desert season this year. We’ve been working on a run, hopefully in November. I’m headed out to the Mojave Preserve this weekend, and there are plenty of amazing places there. October is hunting season out there though , just so you are...

I haven’t done it recently, but it is generally a fairly easy trail. Any stock 4x4 shouldn’t have a problem. That is a great area, with a lot to explore. I’ve been going out there for years, and every time I go out there, I still find something new to me.

It doesn’t take long for rodents to move in. Years ago, I was camping near Amboy in the Mojave Desert, I pulled into camp late, and set up my bed in the back of my 4Runner. Shortly after I got into bed, I heard something crawling around in the engine compartment. I shook the truck, and the noise...

My expensive tools are in my toolbox in my garage, but I do have some snap-on tools in my truck kit, mainly ratchets. Those were garage sale/ swap meet tools though, and didn’t cost nearly as much as they would have on the tool truck. The rest of the truck kit is a mix of craftsman, and other...

I have a bunch in my garage, none are too old, 60’s, and 70’s to modern.

I didn’t even think about smog. Looks like I need to do some more research.

It’s a stressful time for us all. I’m going to have to miss this one too, after nearly 40 years of not needing a tow truck, my truck just got its second tow this year. The igniter went out, and those are discontinued from the dealer, not available aftermarket, and fairly hard to find used. I...

I’m interested, but it will depend on when. It looks like I’m going back to work Monday, but I don’t know how busy it will be. I need to put the front differential in my truck too!

The May trip was supposed to be Overland Expo West, but that was moved to July. Any ideas on a new May trip? Things should be back to almost normal by then, I can’t imagine the stay at home order still being in place then.

I found another used 4.11 rear, that will work. I just have to put it in. I’ll have 4 wheel drive back in time for the May trip.

Exactly what I needed! Thanks Scott!

When I was in high school, my dream car was an amigo! Never did get one though. Looking forward to seeing your build.

I’m guessing the April trip to the Alabama Hills isn’t going to happen. Hopefully we’ll be able to the run in May. I’m getting cabin fever!

I consider my truck old. 1980 Toyota pickup, solid axle on leaf springs, carburetor, 4speed manual transmission and no power steering. It also has the old round headlights! 40 years old this year! I’ve taken it on multi day trips quite a lot. It’s not comfortable or fast, but it gets there, and...

I’ve got the truck temporarily fixed. The differential and drive shaft from a 1991 Toyota 4Runner manual 4x4 fit perfectly. However this makes it only a 2 whee drive, since the gear ratio is 411 instead of the stock 437. So now I’m looking at gears and lockers! I’ll be going to TDS, to camp...

Well, it looks like the Lord wasn’t willing, and the creek rose. My driveshaft broke this weekend, and took the rear differential with it. And since Toyota put in an oddball 4.37-1 gear ratio it their trucks in 1980 only, I’m going to have to replace both differentials. So my rig is out of...