MAY/JUNE 2009

A First Timer’s Experience

by Alvin Kuenster

It all started as I was driving home from work and there she was on the corner. A cherry 1994 with an ugly front bumper and cheap roof rack. I was in love. I drove past her for a few days, then broached the subject with The Boss. She had always liked the look of the 80 series and was agreeable to getting one. I robbed Peter to pay Paul on some things and freed up enough funds to make my purchase. She was mine!

I then began the Internet search for other Cruiserheads and resources—little did I know the super-size can-o-worms I was opening. First, I found TLCA. I sent in a request for information and was sent a membership application along with a copy of Trails. The issue featured 80s on the Con. A great magazine chock full of rigs just like mine! Now I was really hooked. I joined immediately and continued my search for Cruiser stuff. I asked around about lifting my Cruiser and one guy said he had heard of Old Man Emu and that some guy in Colorado sells it. I Googled Old Man Emu and came up with ARB and was then pointed towards Slee Offroad.

After lifting my rig, I continued my search for information and someone suggested I try IH8MUD. Once I found MUD, I saw the horizon open up in front of me. My eyes were sparkling with wonder and anticipation. What a great resource! From MUD, I found my local club, Copper State Cruisers, and started to make friends in the Cruiser world. I started learning about the capabilities of my rig and some driving skills to boot.

Meanwhile, I had been reading each issue of Trails and I started to dream of the time I could go to a TLCA event. The rigs, the trails, the people—I wanted to be a part of it. This seemed like the perfect way to include my family in outdoor activities. I began taking my daughter on almost all of my off-road adventures. She loved it and I knew that when the time was right, I would pack up the rig, put my girl in the 80 and make a trip to a TLCA event.

Then the mods list got kicked into overdrive. My wife wondered what she had done, agreeing to this whole Land Cruiser thing. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to me, “Tortuga” is a thing of beauty. 4" lift with OME springs, 315/75 r16 Cooper Discoverer STT tires on black steel rims, custom front bumper, Slee sliders, transfer case plate and rear control arms, flareless and Durabak’d, homemade storage deck in the rear, 700 watt stereo, custom exhaust, 4.88 gears, ARB front locker and Aussie rear locker…. She was ready to make her appearance at the ball.

I chose the 30th annual Glitter Gulch Gambol for our first TLCA event. This event was held in October and I decided now was the time to see if Zoe and I could handle a trip away from home and away from mom for 5 days. Worst case, my parents live in Las Vegas and if necessary we could ditch the event and go see Grandma. Plans and preparations were made and my excitement level rose throughout the summer. I talked the event up to my club and gained the interest of two other members to join Zoe and I as the Copper State contingent...

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Alvin Kuenster