It all started when I saw the new FJC's hit Maui's only Toyota dealership. I had heard that Toyota was doing a "comeback" of the old LandCruiser, more affordable for the masses (the LC's run too much for my wallet). So I took a closeup look of the oddly colored (VD and SF) rigs on display one night after hours. Pricing was reasonable. Styling was incredible. Off road reviews were ecstatic. I was hooked. That was April of '06. My '95 Blazer had turned over 110,000 miles and was bleeding me dry with repairs. But I was not ready to buy anything brand new.
Yet.
I visited Toyota.com on a regular basis for several months. I dropped a few hints to my way better half.
It worked. Good thing she knows many of the prominent business people on this rock. A deal was struck in December '06 for delivery in January of a nicely loaded Black Cherry.
In the meantime, the SE TRD's (4) came in and I came within inches of bagging one. But I was an hour late. The last one sold before I called.
So after an agonizing eternity (and a blast in Whistler), the truck came home on January 9th, 2007.
~
to be continued~
Then-
Today
Came to me as:
2007 4x4 AT
package #2
running boards ( bye-bye early )
roof rack
Mods to date~chronologically
Blacked out bezel
Sway-a-Way 2.5" Racerunner Coilovers
Sway-a-Way rear shocks
Metal Tech rail sliders
DeMello Front PreRunner Winch Bumper w/ hoop
DeMello Front Skid
DeMello Clamps
Spidertrax wheel spacers
ProComp XTerrain 305/65/17
3/4" D-rings
4T recovery rope
Future Mods
Lights - PIAA
Hi-Lift Jack 48"
Rims - Poison Spyder Beads? Walker Evans? MT Classic II?
Lower links
Winch
And whatever else comes to me.
