Just want to say thanks

[krmnalmind]

I just found this forum about a month ago and have been reading alot of threads but since i type like crap i rarely ever respond to topic unless i reaaly think something needs to be said that hasn't been covered. Now not to date my self but i rember having a 85 sb 4x4 when it was new in 85 and has probably been one of the best trucks i have owned, since i have had 1 GMC jimmy on 39.5 swampers an f250 on 35's a 99 silverado 3/4 ton on 35's and a new 05 cc f250 for a tow rig and just purchased an 85 forunner for a trail rig/crawler.i have done every lift, body lift ,motor work, exhaust work, everything on my truck my self i would have loved to have a place like this when i was growing up to come and get information see what works what don't before i busted a couple of knuckles or spent weeks trying to make something fit just because there was a rumor it worked.Also a bunch of the young guys on her give me hope for our future i am so dam tired of seeing pavement pounders and cookie cutter vechicles produced by the dealers that i was really wondering if anyone was doing stuff themselves anymore. I don't mind the vehicles i just cant stand when people act like they have poured there soul into building their truck when the biggest part of labor had to do with dropping it off at the local shop. Also i like the fact that there are venders such as marlin that build kits or fab pieces that allow guys with more time than money to purchase the parts to build their dream rather than force you into a kit that is the most popular but not what you really wanted.I learned to drive in a 77 bronco with a granny low at the age of 12 my oldest son is 11 turning 12 this summer and i hope to get him involved in the buildup of the runner and  have it  ready to let him learn to drive and start his transition into the world of the wheeling like my dad did almost 20 years ago.well sorry to ramble on like that you wouldn't believe how long it took to type this but i am a former Marine who is recovering from back surgery on new medication and i don't get alot of adult conversation basically my sons babysit me all day so i figure i owe them to try and give them a decent summer since its been a while. now to my question the runner i picked up is completely stock and its been a long time since i have bought any toyota parts and they certainly have changed from the just rancho and  superlift that was available when i did my toyotas in 85 and 86 but i want to run a suspension that articulates well without going to coil springs so i would like to stay with a leaf combinationwhat can you sujust(e.g.marlin 5") i will also do a high steer for sure dual tranny, lockers front and rear i haven't decide between 35's-38's so thats in the air but that may change whether i change axles or not. i will surely strip my interior and spray it with linex or something along that linealso full rock sliders i want this to turn out right. i rember when nerf bars were considered rock sliders then dam yuppies got a hold of them thought they looked cool and made them so thin you could almost see though them.well thats it for now this is basically me saying hey to everyone and introducing my self  and getting a couple questions out there. it only took about an hour and half to write this sitting isn't real comfortable and i gotta lay down a bunch. but i am in the north bay of CA so i hope to get a chance to meet  and wheel with some of you guys which i have seen on here and i do believe the people you meet on the trails are way better people then you pass in traffic everyday so thanks in advance and stay safe to everyone.

                                                                                                            Craig

[WHITE_TRASH]

Dear God that is one HUGE sentence!  Glad to have you here.  Building your own stuff is a right of passage of sorts.  If you cant build it yourself you shouldnt own it....  Check out the project research section thats where all the really cool buildups are at.

[krmnalmind]

thats why i dont type i went into the dam infantry to blow crap up not desribe it. i told you i am on alot of medication thats no joke morphine 3 tiimes a day with norco chasers and enough muscle relaxers to drop a rhino so i get feeling good for a few minutes at a time and i have to put down whats in my head before its gone. it sucks having both knees having had surgery, gunshot to my shoulder, half of my stomach removed and 2 rods and 6 screws in my spine. just hope you never get old because its sucks or if you get old that you stay healthy.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Damn your in rough shape arent ya.  Hope you get healed up soon and get out onto the trail. That will get the healing started much faster.   Thanks for serving this beloved country that we all share.

[oddball]

So you were in the infantry? I was in the Army, 1/36 Infantry, 1st Armored Division in Germany. I was in Baghdad from March 2003 to April 2004. Ive been out since then but its been hard to adapt back to civilian life so I'm probably going back in next April, sorry to jack your thread

[Willy Mammoth]

  and      You got this way for us and we thank you for your service. Now take care of your self so you can get out on the trail and join us soon.  

[krmnalmind]

your very welcome and no one ever has to thank me because i needed the USMC more than it needed me. i was gettting pretty out of control and it reaaly straightened me out bottom lines it was the best thing i ever did as far as securing my future for my family.
Yeah i went in as an 0351  which was and dragan tank missile gunner in 1988 then went to a the security force battalion then to the USS Missouri for 2 years were we did security internal and external for the ships special weapons and maned a 5" mount. we were the only Marine manned mount that there was so i was there for the first gulf war then came back and went to Alpha company 1/5 at camp pendleton. i've been to a few places thailand, phillipines, korea, austalia, the gulf and the artic cicle plus a few more. so i got to do quite a bit a young age the problem is i started falling apart literally when i got back from the gulf. So i feel blessed to do what i have done and seen what i have seen its just hard to sit on the sidelines when your used to be in the middle of things. thats why i really like this board and seeing that young guys are doing good stuff and having fun doing it. let me ask you guys what kind of clearance will the new 5" marlin springs get me?  if i run 35"s  would i need shackles. thank again everyone and i ask you forgive my punctuation i never was real big on using it.

[WHITE_TRASH]

yes you'll need longer shackles.  The only way Id run the 5" springs is if I planned on running 44's....  Id build my own packs as I always do.  Not that Marlins springs arent of the highest quality by any means.  I just run my truck really low.

[krmnalmind]

cool and thanks thats what i need to hear i plan on cutting the crap out od the fenders wells and i am debating on buying a bender to work on some of my own little projects. maybe and exo or a new style sliders

[WHITE_TRASH]

If you have a lot of time on your hands (which it sound like you do) read this ----> http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=2547.0