4x4’s & Overlanding
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Old rig: ‘96 80 series Land Cruiser (triple locked biiitch). So capable. So reliable. Timeless:
New rig: ‘03 G55 AMG (naturally aspirated, no turbos=easier to work on). Very capable, not as reliable as a Toyota (duh!), fast for being 6,000 lbs, also timeless with some dickhead factor thrown in.
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Has anyone enjoying this thread watched Texas Metal? What did you think?
I watched it a while ago as a guilty pleasure - it seemed like harmless enough dumb fun. Fast N' Loud for trucks.
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@Inorganic YOU LET GO OF A TRIPLE LOCKED 80 SERIES!?
Someone ban this man from the forum!!
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@worn2fade hahahaha!! I can't disagree.
It was hard to do, but life is too short to drive one car. Luckily there are plenty of LC's in the PNW - if I get back into an 80 series I might go for a Japanese diesel - my buddy has one, and when we all got stuck he always seemed not to. The hype is fuckin' real with those.
As for the G wagen, I've been interested in them for eons. Their provenance and genesis from the Shah of Iran wanting a military vehicle peaked my interest. Also they're stock triple locked, straight axles that are freaking thicc - beyond the 80 if you can believe it!. Throw in a screaming deal on a highly maintained unicorn with he non-turbo'd AMG, and the magic combination of M113 engine + 5 speed tranny (arguably MB's best combo and used in many cars = myriad of part availability) and the rest is history. So I threw my LC on BaT and picked up the G55.
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@Inorganic stoked for you dude, that thing is rad. Maintenance gotta be way more expensive huh?
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@worn2fade yes and no. I do the wrenching myself, so the cost of things are offset by that. parts: there is definitely a 'G tax' but luckily many of the interior parts can be bought for cheaper from C and E classes. The engine and transmission for my model/year are in C, S & E classes across a 10 year period so parts abound.
I'd say the biggest difference vs. the Toyota, from a DIY perspective, is the Gwagen community is fraction of the size. So when you're looking for 'how to' videos its super limited - I'm about to change the motor + transmission mounts and I haven't found anything of value.
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@Inorganic dang dude, that definitely is a draw back. I’m a YouTube-aholic when crap hits the fan. Maybe you can be that guy for everyone else? Hahahaha. Start a GWagon YouTube page brother, I’m sure there will be others who appreciate you and your service
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@worn2fade I've considered it for sure. I've documented my DIY work on the Gwagen forum, so I feel like I'm giving back to that community - but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to jump infront of the camera yet.
If anything it will be good documentation to show the mechanic when I inevitably fuck something up haha
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Ima be on the dirt today. If there’s still light out by the time I make it there, I’ll drop some pics.
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@nurunuru did some cycling in Durango and all I could think about was getting my truck out there for some camping!
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@indigo_nico Right on! We didn't make it down to Durango, but the whole San Juans area is just absolutely bloomin' amazing.
Driving from Silverton to the Handies Peak trailhead via Cinnamon Pass was definitely an experience! Gnarly stuff. We got chased off by a thunderstorm on our first ascent attempt, so I took the route from Lake City for Summit Attempt #2 a few days later. Honestly, it's supposed to be way easier-going that way, and I guess it is a little, but it's still pretty dang rough. Good times! My oldest and I made it to the peak on the second try. Was his first 14er. Just a beautiful day.
How was the cycling trip? Did you have a race?
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Found a pic of the one extra-sharp/steep corner heading up out of Cinnamon Pass from Handies. The rain had helpfully turned the road into a small river by this point. Photo does not do the nature of this corner justice. It was fun.
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@nurunuru that sounds amazing dude. the trip was great, my friend throws a mountain bike race there and it kicked my ass haha. Such beautiful landscape tho. Would love to go back in the Tacoma
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@indigo_nico Nice one. Yeah, if a race didn't kick my ass, I would wonder WTF just happened
Maah Daah Hey 100 I fell down unconscious at the finish and got taken to hospital.
Arrowhead 135 has seen me DNF 3 out of 4 attempts.It's all about the ass-kickin's, ay
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@nurunuru dammmmmmmmmn dude I've always wanted to do MDH. the badlands are such an amazing place. bummed to hear you had to go to the hospital, but at least you crossed that finish line!
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@indigo_nico It's a heck of a course! The ND Badlands really are a wonderful place. I just love it out there. I did the Badlands Gravel Battle a coupla springs ago, too. That was fun as well! Though I signed up for the 40, and paced myself for the 40, then realised after about 41 miles that I had taken a wrong turn and was accidentally doing the 80. The back half was, uh... Slow
