Maine

That group is terrible. Just a bunch of fu*king rednecks and their shitbox jeeps on bald tires trying to get stuck.

I ended up leaving it for all of the reasons you mentioned. Out of the maybe 1.5-2 years I was a part of it, I think I only ever saw one maybe two cases that were legit. The rest of the time they were on powerlines, or sled trails in the winter, or somewhere else that was obvious

 

YUP, just left the group... read up the last 5 posts were "haul my shit for free" posts. gladly clicked that leave group button.

 

Hey guys, looking for any recommendations for a shop in the western or southern Maine area that would be trusted to install the clutch master's throwout bearing for the 6 speed. Mine has been chirping since the week I bought it. It's starting to get kinda loud, some days are worse than others. Looking to get it in when I have time as I know people drive on these for a while even when they are chirping. I know the clutch itself was done about two thousand miles before I bought it, (saw the paperwork) I'm guessing they replaced it and it went bad again or they did not replace the throwout bearing. I've done my research on here and am aware of the discount code. I'm sure any local shop to Farmington could handle the clutch job, but I know the clutch masters set up is different from the factory one. Didn't know if there were any off-road or Toyota/Lexus shops that anyone could recommend to me. Trying to avoid the dealer.
Thanks!

 

Buying on leased land (if it's leased) is a risk, especially with the increase in frequency of land changing hands. Gone are the days of Great Northern.

 

NMW = Overlanding....haha. It's forest/logging roads for crying out loud.

 

I have a friend who has his house on Irivng land between Caribou and Fort Kent on Cross lake. He only pays $500 a year for the lease agreement or "rent" and such. Honestly, there's not much snowmobiling in the NMW, most people stay in Ashland, Caribou, Millinocket or FK. If hunters are up lots of them stay in the Allagash at a guide service. Might be a market during hunting season if they are experienced. Could also be a market for the waterway but might be hard because usually people are traveling. I guess it would matter what end of the NMW you were going to do it on.

 

I'm afraid I'm not much help there. When I was living in that area I always took my vehicles to the cheapest place I could find, which at the time was Jimmy Gilbert's place over by the Fairgrounds. He's still operating, out on the Dutch Gap Road in Chesterville now. But it's very shade tree.

 

For something like that, I almost wonder if the dealer might be the way to go..?

 

I try to do all the work on my own vehicles but whatever I can't or dont want to deal with I bring to Windham Automotive. Little mom/pop type of shop but the owner, Ron, is one of the nicest, most genuine guys you'll ever meet. He did a lot to help my family out when my brother was dying from visits to fundraisers and cooking etc. Just don't find a lot of people like that anymore. It's reflected in how he runs the place as well, he'll call and give estimates and ask before just ripping into everything or if he can't do it he'll say it needs to go to a dealer rather than taking you for a ride where you're paying a repair attempt then a full repair somewhere else.
He did the clutch pack in my nephews Subie WRX a couple years back, he owns a Tundra and wife has a Highlander and swear by em so I'd assume he'd work on something like that but not sure..

 

My father lives up in Farmington, he's taken his Tacoma's to Bob Rowe Auto Services and had good luck.

 

I’m extremely responsible and I get thrown into a group too.

imagine that.....

 

IF you watch any of the youtubers, THAT IS OVERLANDING, unless you subscribe to the expedition overland (retracing old carriage trails, and initial expeitionary trails cut in the 1900's... I do like this about them, however their rediculous funding/money grabbing/sponsorship is a real turn-off. no joe shmo is going to get that type of gear, or new vehicles for every trip like these guys do..

theres always been a lot of "define overlanding" and it usually turns into a squabble match.. I say just do what you enjoy.

For me its getting out on my own, or with the family, and friends, checking out others rigs, and mods, and seeing what i want to add to mine, what to change, what i truely need, or dont need. I try to alter my setup for comfort, and compact-travel, so when i want to go on a long term trip, I just grab my gear boxes, and be out in a matter of a grocery & gas stop...

 

Don't disagree with any of that. The term "Overlanding" just get's me all riled up. I shouldn't let the term bother me. I've been going up to the MNW since the 80's and I can count on one hand the # of "modded" trucks I've seen up there. I know it's more popular now and many on here actually utilize their chosen mods for their adventures up there...and that's great. I don't think it's the norm.

I'm probably just getting cranky as I age (50) and this Covid craziness doesn't help. Carry on!

 

I know what you mean haha. All the foresters, rangers, wardens etc all run stock 3/4 or 1 tons up there. I think the one difference is we have more fun

But at the end of the day, it makes you appreciate how capable stock trucks are.

 

Have you been up lately or any planned trips?

 

No unfortunately its been a while. Was hoping to get a quick weekend trip in before the holiday, but thats not going to happen at this rate. Hopefully sometime in Jan if theres an open weekend without a noreaster

 

The wardens and rangers and foresters have access to big ass equipment to bail em out, the “overlander” has to make it own their own.

 

I'm all for a winter trip at some point...

 

Thats also very true. Their radios can hit their own repeaters, which lets them reach out to civilization if needed.

Was up there by myself about a year ago, just under a year, and slid off the side of the road at an intersection. Needed to get pulled to the drivers side to get back up on the road. There was one small ass tree way off to the other side of the road. An extension strap and most of the spool was enough to reach, plus the ground as well frozen by that point. But if that plan hadnt worked out I figured my next step would be to hike back a few miles to some equipment I had just passed. Figure if I really had to I could probably borrow something to help me out.

 

Cool part is most folks up there are more than willing to help