Just another newbie...

Stopped by to introduce myself. Name's Jason.

First off, I've noticed that there are quite a few active and retired military service members on this forum so I wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU ALL for your service and sacrifice to protect our freedoms that so many of us take for granted every day.

Second, you can thank @Crom for getting me hooked on TW! (At least I feel like I should thank him. Might change while I'm pricing lifts and plate bumpers!!) While reading the first 85 pages of his build thread I was like .

Lastly, I want to thank @SGTCap for the quote in my signature. If I recall correctly it as a discussion about cargo volume and Taco cargo capacity. An overland trailer was brought up as an option and you summed up exactly what I was thinking when I saw your post. I hope our paths cross someday so I can buy you a beer!


Originally from small town Iowa, I've managed to live in Kansas City MO, Tri-Cities WA (Pasco/Kennewick/Richland), and have settled in the Denver area.

Purchased my first Taco in November 2011 (not by choice - another story) and until about a month ago had no plans for "mods" or even knew what a mod was. Anyway, 4 1/2 years and 100,000 miles later here I am with a pretty much stock T|X Pro.

Because here she sits:



First unknown "mods" were WeatherTech floor mats and AVS rain guards/hood deflector, and an anti-theft tailgate mod that I wouldn't recommend. Replaced the BFG Rugged Trails with Michelin LTX MS2's at about 45K miles. Love the Michelin's because of all the driving I do for work and commuting. Probably be looking at a Cooper ATP (Discount Tire version of the AT3) or similar for my next because my kids are getting old enough to start camping beyond the back yard and I'm going to do more archery elk hunting in the future.

I must confess that I have a distraction when it comes to modifying my Taco:



It's a 1968 Pontiac Firebird 350 3-speed on the floor and garners most of what little disposable income I have. Mods for the car include: Replaced rear leaf springs, front end rebuild with poly graphite bushings, up-sized sway bar, shocks & new coils, rebuilt 4-barrel Q-jet, Edelbrock intake, and a 5-speed Tremec transmission.

A year ago I performed open heart surgery on it to fix the leaking 2 piece rear main seal. Pulled the motor out and tore apart the bottom end to replace a $5 part. Isn't that the way it goes?

Since I had the motor out, I replaced the FoMoCo (yes that's right, Ford Motor Company) 3-speed with the Tremec and brought it into the 21st century. Completely different car. It's actually enjoyable to drive now. Sentimental car for me since it was an Iowa cancer victim that my dad painstakingly restored in his workshop for 3 years (completed in the mid 90's). It's not perfect but if it was I'd be afraid to drive it!

Future mods for The Bird include new radiator (newly discovered leak ) and front disc brake conversion and maybe an engine swap with the '73 400 block I have sitting in my garage.

So now you understand my dilemma.

No point in making this intro any longer. Thank you for letting me share some of my story with you and I look forward to lurking many of the awesome builds on TW.

Jason

 

Hey welcome to the TW, nice looking truck.

 

Thanks! I certainly enjoy it.

 

Welcome! Very nice toys.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you! It has been fascinating reading through the build threads and technical chats. I've got a lot of catching up to do!

 

Welcome to the club!