2016 MOTY interview with Ramonortiz55

How does it feel to be member of the year?

I feel privileged to be even considered member of the year. During the initial round, I really didn't think I was going to win. I appreciate everyone's votes on the final round, when I found out I won I was at a football game with my wife. She didn't know why I was so excited and staring at my phone vs watching the game.



What got you into groupbuys?

Some of you know that I am also active in other forums - 4runner, Camry, Ford - My wife drives an Escape, being a Ford escape, I HAVE to be on an Escape repair forum for those write-ups and repair tips


One of those forums had a go to person for group buys, when I was building my previous Tacoma, I wanted to participate on some of those group buys. That other group buy person wouldn't let me participate because the group buy wasn't for Tacomas, even after the vendor would say he will honor the discount on the Tacoma item also. This made me upset at the fact he was being selective, especially after he also rejected me to participate on a group buy that wasn't vehicle specific. So I decided to start doing these group buys and making it available for everyone.

Once I did the first two or three, I had people requesting to do more and offering suggestions and ideas. After that, it pretty much took off from there.

If you had to ballpark an estimate on how much money you have saved the TW members, what would you guess that to be?

Holy Mole, This is a good one. I would say at least $10,000 in savings, at LEAST.



Whats your real career?

I am a contract Civil/Structural Engineer for Chemical/Oil/Gas refineries and a licensed plumber.



What do you enjoy doing outside of the forum?

Gardening has always been a passion. Camping and being outdoors in general.



Your 4R seems to be coming along nicely. How long did the valve cover gasket project take you?

Ramons 4R build here



It was my first time doing it. It took me a whole day to get it done, because I was doing a write up and I like to take my time doing things.

Where would you like to see your 4R by this time next year?

I feel my 4runner build is mostly complete, this time next year, I hope to either start my Tacoma Build or have a camping trailer build.

Tacoma build

Are you a family man? I thought I read somewhere about having small kids? How old? Do they enjoy working on the 4R with you?

No kids. Been married for a year. Does the wife enjoy working on the 4runner with me?

No.

What is your most memorable TW related moment?

When that Thumper guy scammed everyone here on TW over some headlights. That thread was hilarious.

Ahh, this was an interesting thread!

If you had to choose between a Vespa, Prius, or Ridgeline what would you drive any why?

Prius - my wife wants one. So I see me driving that over anything else. Hopefully I can convince her to get a 4runner or AT LEAST an Avalon or Highlander.



What do you think of the 3rd gen section and why?



I don't venture in there too often, the 3rd gen section is full of lost souls. Except @moe2o4 he's okay.

Who would you feel would make a great MOTY next year?

Someone that can put together some good write-ups. really. If someone is going to improve any section on here, I recommend they start in creating some good write-ups. I see a lot of threads on here that start with ideas and then develop into a final installation. The steps to complete the mod/idea are scattered all around the thread. Which is good, it comes to show how it all became a reality. A complete, independent thread, without BS, etc with pictures, details, etc would be nice as a final comprehensive write up. It would be nice to see more people take time to do these vs "I was in a rush", "I didn't have time to take pictures", especially when a lot of people are wanting to do the same mod.

Oh, and a write up without pictures isn't really a write up.
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I scoff at the notion of a build being done

 

It's done be started

 

His build...once it was started, they're never finished