What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Nice, Thanks for the advice and I got a which im working around. Its the XRC8, I am making the opening a little bigger just incase I will upgrade to the 9.5k winch in the future. I'm probably going to mess around with the design a little before I get to the actual welding.

 

I agree and I disagree I suppose. I like to think the definition should be reserved and kept "pure" for the more romantic idea of getting away from it all for weeks at a time, but the reality is that most people can't afford to do that. And on one hand I think by fighting the idea that a more 'average' weekend warrior can't be involved in the hobby in his/her own way, it casts a shadow of snobby exclusivity over it which to me is just as annoying as the people who overuse the word 'overland' to the point that it's become more of a marketing strategy than an actual hobby.

I think what really killed the term for me was less the commercialization of it (that happens with just about everything that becomes popular) but more the people that act like fools on social media and youtube, less for the sake of enjoying the outdoors and more for the sake of attention and likes. If anything it's just a sad reminder that society as a whole can't have nice things anymore without some people ruining it.

 

how about.. expedition overland?

fuck I think that one's already taken

 

I think they’re a good analogue for the whole offroading/overlanding scence in general. They started as weekend warriors enjoying themselves, and happened to also enjoy video editing. Then a sponsor or two came along, then some money became involved and it morphed into the Instagram driven monstrosity that it has become now.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons they did where they went around US, Alaska, and Canada, just getting out there and checking off bucketlist locations with minimal sponser intrusion. Now every other video is a walkaround of some unobtainium rig or sponsor-led product overview.

I can’t help but be a little jealous though, they turned a hobby into a full time job.

 

Which is really what most people strive to do. My fiance did it with photography and I would love to do it with restoring cars or something of the like.

 

I enjoyed that show too, I only saw the first couple of seasons though. Haven't watched any of the new stuff. Seems like a lot of people in the community either like them or hate them, since they did play a big role in popularizing the 'overland' scene especially on Youtube. But like you said, they took something they were passionate about and made it their thing. I think at the end of the day though, you can't allow yourself to become bitter over something like that. Something that's fun and exciting is bound to get discovered and blow up in popularity, it's just the way of things. Hopefully in a few years the trend will level off and settle back down, and those that got into it only for the fame and attention will move on to the next big thing. It's the circle of.

I'm half joking but... maybe we need another big gas price hike to scare those people into selling their trucks/SUVs, like what happened back in ~07. That could speed the process along lol.

 

The first one is basically @eon_blue.

 

My wallet would not appreciate that... I would have to go out and buy a Prius or something to get to and from work then... These 60 mile round trips across the city already hurt enough.

 

except my budget is more like $5

 

yeah mine wouldn't either...CA prices are bad enough as it is especially when you have to buy premium. But maybe a just 2 or 3 month hike, short enough not to hurt us long term but long enough to scare away the others. Luckily I live just a few miles from work so that helps

 

Yeah the social media part of it is sad. And the whole idea of it just being a marketing tool is what im on about. Its not about tools and toys. Its about nature and people and spending time with both at the same time.

I loved their message the first "season". after that. They sold out big time and just make commercials now for whoever. Sad really.

Not saying they shouldn't have taken on sponsors, but they should have held their moral ground I think on the message they wanted to convey to people. Which was getting out in the beautiful country with great people and enjoying time surrounded by endless nature. They still could have done it without pulling out maxxtraxx for every freaking mud hole. If the sponsors didn't understand that, I wouldn't want them as sponsors.

Just me though. I know Clay is a great guy in person.

And I used to think Id want a hobby as a job. But..




Which is kind of true. I mean Im lucky and my job is basically a hobby for most the world. And I do love it. But theres short falls to working like that too.

I think just about anyone would love to just travel out of their truck and make a living doing it thats on this site to a point.

 

@BartMaster1234

where did you go to get your replacement parts for your Miller? I broke the handle on my dads welder and want to replace it for him

 

I could if I had taken a job with the contractor who lives like 1/2 a mile from my house.... I decided to go with the one that I liked more and had worked for as an intern. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. I get paid well for being right out of college, benefits are kinda meh, and vacation time is almost non-existent for the first year or so but they are super lenient as long as you are getting your job done and aren't messing up and costing them money.

 

So what year Tundra pads and rotors do I need?

 

There is a very good Miller parts support network. Google “parts catalog” for your model welder, and look up the part number from someone like Cyberweld, who I used.

 

thanks dude!

 

Did a quick mockup in gimp of what I'm going to do. I like this look and the posts on the wing ends will add some protection and strength to the wings.

 

You have sliders right? Why not do fender bars, might have more protection since you said shrubs and such were scraping the fenders....

 

No sliders yet. They are in the works tho. Not a fan of the fender bars and I don't mind getting pinstripes from bushes and shit.

 

Man, that would've saved my ass a few weeks ago lol.