It has become apparent for me that the Toyota scene has matured to the point of being it's own kind of car culture/social structure, somewhat unique to others.  I have seen and experienced a lot of good will, support, enthusiasm, quirks, slang and traditions going along with owning and wheeling Toyota 4x4s.

I thought it deserved a thread for discussion.  It can be "You might be a Toyota 4x4 guy if..." or just a good story we can all relate to.  Toyota specific lingo, I don't now.

I have been on cross country road trips and had conversations with total strangers who speak the same Toyota language, been hooked up with free parts, free lodging, had the general feeling of having family, at least like a bunch of nice cousins, all over because of this Toyota thing in common.

Ever been caught under someone's truck in the parking lot checking something out and instead of asking what you are doing the owner just tells you about it?  I really think it's probably possible to drive clear across the country and have access to a Toyota shop or garage every day or so if you really tried to network.  Everybody is pretty much that nice too, or at least that sympathetic to the hobby.

Then there is the legendary slowness, the 22r that was the best thing for so long but the bane of our highway driving experience.  Only another Toyota 4x4 guy can appreciate the importance of a good tail wind or how hard it can be to pass a motor home going up the pass with too much tire.

So post up some Toyota specific anecdote or experience, good will, off road story, on road story, etc.  Maybe it's been done before but it should be fun...

 

Don't forget the legendary ride and handling of these trucks: The other day I bought some non-homogenized milk and tried to bring it home. It stayed milk for a little while but by the time I had it home (and especially up the mile-long rocky driveway) there was no longer any cream at the top. It had all turned into butter.

And an anecdote about the legendary racing potential of Toyotas...

When I was in Panama, our lab vehicle was a 2000s diesel hilux. The first time I drove it, I compared it to the 2WD '93 truck I've driven in the states and thought "Wow, this thing has zip!". Other people  commented to me that it was like driving a really slow sedan. Now that I have the 4x4 22R, every time I drive the 2WD I think "Wow, this thing has zip!". Thus, a 22R-powered 4x4 is slower than a vehicle that is slower than a slow vehicle. That's pretty slow, folks.


OK, so you might be a Toyota 4x4 guy if you:

 -- Incessantly fix your 30 year old truck but talk about how reliable it is
 -- Get honked at by tractor-trailers for being too slow pulling away from a light
 -- Have races with other Toyotas to see whose ride is the slowest
 -- Lust after a longbed diesel Toyota dually
 -- Wish Toyota still sold real pickups (Hiluxes) in the US
 -- Get into friendly arguments about which generation looks coolest.
 -- Tell anecdotes about the legendary racing potential of Toyotas.

Early Toyota pickup and Runner ownership is a unique sub-culture.  There are many vehicle related clubs and “cultures”.  I think what makes Toyota different is you can use the vehicles to go off-road.  This opens the door for many activities beyond just belonging to a “car club” and driving on highway trip.

Performance modifications that are typical for car enthusiasts, like engine, exhaust, wheels is just a starting point for the modifications that are typical for a 4-wheel drive vehicle that goes off-road.  The camaraderie and fellowship that belonging to the Toyota 4-wheel drive community brings to an owner definitely provides opportunities for all kinds of experiences.

Then, of course there is the legendary reliability, durability, simple design (which makes it easier and enjoyable for the DIYer) and factory stock off-road capability.

A BIG THANKS to those, like Marlin, who have a culture-passion and genius to design and manufacturer parts to support the wants and needs of the 4-wheeling culture with aftermarket goodies.

Although my sand railing days will always be the best time of my early life, owning 4 Toyota trucks since 1986 has been the highlight of the last 31 years of my vehicle ownership.

Obviously, there are reams of pages of stories and experiences one can read about and many aspects to the “culture”.

Gnarls.

Just a little swagger....seems like I am always pulling out stuck jeeps.

I've never been able to relate to anything more than this.
My personal experiences with my 85 4x4, has been being passed my tractor trailers up parleys canyon in Salt lake.
And the constant saying of "My truck is reliable I swear!" As I break a motor mount on a bumpy road.

There really just is something about these trucks, no matter how bad of a day I could be having just hopping in my Yota brings a smile to my face.
First vehicle for me and hopefully I have it for a long time.



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Within the 4x4 Toyota vehicle models, there are already sub-cultures.... pickups, 4Runners, and Cruisers.  Then of course, 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, etc.  All really cool because the sub-culture passion keeps the "old" alive. 

More culture clubs! 

Gnarls. 

In my club, I'm the "one of two" Toyotas, with mostly jeeps and a Scout.  They break down all the time on the trail, I maintain mine at home and don't see much of any trail problems at all, very reliable Toy!   

More culture clubs! 

Gnarls. 

I Remember pajama boy from the 80's.....no more culture club please!