Montana Tacomas

I got out to Whitefish this weekend and then took the 4runner out for a cruise with this beautiful weather today.

 

Sorry to interject, but I think this would be the best place to ask. This week I'm headed up to Butte and Bozeman to check out colleges as an excuse for a vacation. My friends and I have a pretty packed list of places to hit, but we have a dead day around Butte. Just thought I'd ask what would you guys recommend checking out in the area. I wouldn't mind some minor wheeling (not looking to break anything). Thanks!

 

Ringing rocks is something interesting near Butte. That's definitely minor wheeling there is more wheeling to be had in that area hay canyon trail is near there if you want more than a couple hours entertainment. here's a description of that trail from the Butte side you'd be running it backwards.

 

Contrived drama.

The episode that did it for me was the one where they dragged (litteraly) a trailer up the morrison jeep trail. Who in their right mind would do something like that. It was a ridiculous concept.

 

I planned on going there, but I didnt know the road required a "high clearance 4wd". Should be fun

 

That was 7-8 years ago, before most of the current faces were even part of XO. I don't think you'll find anyone within XO that thinks that was a wise choice in retrospect but again, everyone starts somewhere. Certainly I've taken vehicles places they didn't belong, sometimes the best memories.

I would hardly call it fake drama or even your revised contrived drama rather a poor decision that made for a ton of work and highlighted the then crews inexperience. If drama is exposing oneself to criticism for trying something they should not have... your right, there is some of that.

 

Saw you parked in lakes side on Sunday with a white 4Runner. Looking sharp.

 

Sure. You can say that. But it takes 10 min on Google to know that was a ludicrous and stupid idea.

Same thing for Boulder basin which I believe was only done last year. You lot took a pimped out tundra up that trail. Why? You had to cut down a living tree to fit. Didn't do any if the hard sections at all. You could have spent a little time digging and known that was a dumb idea. Hell. There are 3-4 writes on that trail alone by yours truely on that trail posted here with good photos.

Then there's the gear. Every other stop and every campsite is slowmos of the fancy this or that. And as a result you lot have helped spear head the "oh I need that before I can go camping" mentality. I'm sure that was not an intention. But you contributed a lot to that. The early episodes focused on the adventure and the people on it. The gear and rigs was third which ultimately is how it is. But if your films it's gear first. Showcase second. Maybe people third and adventure. Just the wrong vibe.

 

Yeah that part right there pisses me off. Apparently most of us like our nature in MT. I try to practice “leave no trace.” Obviously that’s harder on an off road trail as opposed to hiking, but you don’t cut down a living tree. I’m not a tree hugger by any sense of the word but I do respect my surroundings.

Stay on the roads or trails and don’t be an asshat.

I was somewhat with XO and willing to listen to both sides, but fuck tourists piss me off when they come here and do this shit. Reminds me of the dicks that walked off the board walks in Yellowstone.

 

Well..I mean they are based in Bozeman..so not tourists. Though Boulder basin is in Wyoming.

But yes. I've caught many an out of stater doing stupid shit. They don't realize the effects they are having until you really tell them. Otherwise they think it's just a free for all.

 

Never watched them. Actually not really an overlander or an off roader myself, so that’s why I was open to what they had to say.

HOWEVER, being from Bozeman kinda makes it worse if you ask me.

 

Yeah that is true.

 

I am curious why you are putting in this effort. Is your goal damage control for XO or maybe an interest helping the organization to learn from the mistakes its made.

Is this your gig? http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/

 

I think he either is, was, or wants to be part of the crew?

 

I'm looking to get a cab mount chop done in preparation for a lift and larger rubber. Can anyone recommend a trusted place in Great Falls? If not, I'd be willing to drive to Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, or Kalispell.

 

I'm here in GF. I did my own and a buddies with a 2nd gen. Takes a few hours. I recommend buying CMC plates. It makes the job look a lot cleaner. I wouldn't mind doing it one of these weekends. How big of a tire are you planning on running?

 

I had planned on buying some. Going with 285/75/17s and I've already got a 2.75" lift waiting to go in.

Side note, I think I've seen you rolling around town!

 

BAMF makes CMC plates. They will work with 33's. You'll want to get an alignment afterwards and have your caster pushed forward to help with rubbing. Yup that was me. No other 3rd gen like it. @M1Awolf has a good looking 3rd gen here in town as well.