Author Topic: Marlin Czajkowski is 1 of 6 inducted into the inaugural TLCA Hall of Fame (Read 23260 times)

BigMike · « **on:** May 01, 2007, 09:07:07 PM »

From the May/June 2007 edition of the Toyota Trails.....

Toyota Land Cruiser Association Hall of Fame
by Tony Twiddy

During TLCA’s 30th Anniversary in 2006, the TLCA Board of Directors initiated the TLCA Hall of Fame to commemorate and forever recognize key individuals and businesses who have played pivotal roles for the association over the course of its history. We are pleased to introduce you to the first six TLCA Hall of Fame members.

The first six TLCA Hall of Fame members are:
Bob Garrett, Earl Warden, Jr., George Rice, Jim Sickles, Gary Bjork, John & Melissa Fulton, and Marlin Crawler.

Marlin Crawler
Marlin recalls growing up very poor. While his father, John Czajkowski, was an electrical technician, Marlin remembers his dad having many short term jobs because upon hearing the second Polish joke, he would often quit on the spot. John was originally from Holy Oak, Massachusetts, but found himself in California after WWII and met his future wife, Alice, from College Place, Washington, one day at church. John and Alice were married in 1953.

Marlin Czajkowski is one of three sons, his older brother Stanley living in Sonora, CA, and his younger brother Paul, who lives in Challenge, CA. Marlin was born in 1955 in Glendale, CA. When asked to describe himself as a young man, Marlin recalls “a clunky, zit faced child from a poor family.” Marlin specifically remembers wearing his older brother’s clothes during his school years at the Seventh Day Adventists High School in Glendale. He was never good at sports and spent most of his high school years working various jobs at the school to help make money. Marlin notes that growing up poor helped define who he is today—working year round and repairing anything that was broken, as opposed to buying a new one.

After graduating high school, Marlin went to college at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, where he studied Industrial Arts with an emphasis on automotive repair. Originally Marlin’s goal was to be a teacher. He graduated in 1975 and just missed the draft. Marlin met his wife, Christine, during high school—she was his best friend’s sister. Marlin married Chris in 1975, shortly after graduation and taking a new job. Their first child, Chrystal, was born in 1978, and their second child, Mike, was born in 1980.

After graduating from college and shortly before getting married, Marlin took his first job outside the school as an auto mechanic. Nine years would pass before he opened Marlin’s Automotive and Truck Repair on January 1st, 1985. During this time, Marlin purchased his used 1980 long wheel base Toyota truck in September of 1983, and joined the local Toyota club, Madera TLCA. He loved the little truck but wished it performed more like the Toyota Land Cruiser, which was heavier and crawled better. Burning the clutch through Little Sluice frustrated Marlin and he remembers wanting the little truck to be more respected by the dominant Jeep, Land Cruiser and full size trucks on the trail.

Right around the time Marlin was talking to Danny Warden about an adapter for an SM420 transmission conversion in his little truck, Marlin discovered the Icelandic Crawler, a combination of transfer cases mated together enabling superior low gearing. Paying cash, Marlin purchased the first unit sent to North America in April of 1995. Marlin recalls it was very difficult to assemble the unit and took him quite some time. While many incorrectly believe he created the concept of stacked transfer cases, Marlin notes he simply engineered the adapter and made assembly easy, affordable and effective. Now his little truck had the extreme low gearing to make even the most challenging trails look easy. Marlin’s goal of seeing the little truck respected had been completed.

In 1999, Marlin Crawler went full time and separated Marlin Crawler from the automotive and truck repair business. Marlin Crawler now employees 14 people and is allowing Marlin himself to spend more time on what he feels are the two most important tasks—meeting his customers and working on research and development of new ideas and products.

Today Marlin is as busy working as he was in college. The work ethic installed as a young man is prevalent today, as evidenced by his busy schedule. Striking a balance between work, family, event attendance and new product development is always a challenge, but Marlin remains as dedicated to his goals as ever.

You can read the entire story with full inserts located at the TLCA's website:
http://tlca.org/trails/2007/0506/halloffame.shtml

jimbo74 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:10:18 PM »

thats awesome, congrats marlin... marlin is an awesome guy, i met him @ the shop back in 05

Bravo Zulu!

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:14:05 PM »

I think that's cool, well deserved and as it should be one of the 1st to be inducted. Bravo MARLIN!!

AaronB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:15:22 PM »

right on, congrats.

topar · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:23:53 PM »

Congratulations.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:25:48 PM »

Cool. I like reading backgrounds on interesting people, and it's nice to see somebody deserving get community or industry respect. Congrats

KYOTA · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:27:55 PM »

congratulations Marlin and MC crew

BUDDERS · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2007, 12:58:46 AM »

Congratulations Marlin! If anyone deserves this, it's you. When I met him back in January, he was busy working at his shop on a Saturday. It was the typical Marlin, telling stories and giving a helping hand....

PS: Marlin, if your reading this, I was the guy who came up from San Diego and you helped me pile all of my new suspension goodies in the back of my girlfreinds Sentra. - We are now engaged!

98taco4x · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2007, 05:46:36 AM »

papa mike · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2007, 07:17:54 AM »

congrats marlin

BLACKDOG · « **Reply #10 on:** May 02, 2007, 07:41:47 AM »

awesome. Glad to see it. Its definitely interesting to read a little background as well

Congratulations Marlin, you've certainly earned it.

fordh8r · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2007, 07:48:13 AM »

thats awesome, congrats!

RAZOR · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2007, 09:57:02 AM »

Well Deserved.

Congratulations Marlin!

- Hayes
Washington

854RUN · « **Reply #13 on:** May 02, 2007, 10:05:27 AM »

Your the man Marlin

RokCrawlinToy · « **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2007, 10:31:52 AM »

Awesome, he deserves it.

*FFC* · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2007, 10:57:07 AM »

Freekin AWSOME!!

Congrats Marlin!

Duffil · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2007, 11:05:05 AM »

Very cool! Always great to see you get recognized for what you do!

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2007, 11:53:36 AM »

Quote from: BUDDERS on May 02, 2007, 12:58:46 AM

Congratulations Marlin! If anyone deserves this, it's you. When I met him back in January, he was busy working at his shop on a Saturday. It was the typical Marlin, telling stories and giving a helping hand....

I remember calling Marlins shop on a memorial day weekend, (i think it was sunday , um 2002 i think) I was working almost 7 days a week and it was raining here so my days where "off" but had read about Marlin in Petersons Offroad mag, anyway, i called the number in the mag and guess who answered the

Marlin talked me thru everything i needed to know about my L43 (that i had just got back from my toyota dealer

) and it was in the next day or so i ordered my MC 1200 clutch. and I've been running that same clutch ever since

We

you Marlin

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2007, 12:16:21 PM »

There are two companies out there in the industry, Marlin and all the others! I will always come to Marlin for parts, because I buy from people who I respect and admire. I've heard many awesome stories about what Marlin has done for them on the trails, each and every one is a good image that reflects on the 4x4 industry. Everybody has a story to tell when they meet Marlin for the first time, or even on the phone! Mine was under sad times, but still very inspiring to meet him! My wife still talks about meeting Marlin, and the fact that he wanted to meet her.

Keep up the good work!

clenhart · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2007, 02:25:30 PM »

Congratulations Marlin

CrazyYota · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2007, 04:59:47 PM »

Congratulations Marlin! CrazyYota-->

<---- MARLIN!!

WhiteRhino · « **Reply #21 on:** May 02, 2007, 08:10:46 PM »

Congrads from Team Rhino ........... Pat, Nick & Tyler
Thanks for all your help

mudguts · « **Reply #22 on:** May 02, 2007, 08:21:02 PM »

Congratulations from the Cejas in Coalinga. It is well deserved

ps MC05 #'s 19 and 20 are still running strong

46&2 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 02, 2007, 11:54:02 PM »

Well deserved! Congrats Marlin! $Beer Chug\'n$

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #24 on:** May 03, 2007, 04:20:28 AM »

Way to go Marlin, keep up the good work, people do notice.

Lady Di · « **Reply #25 on:** May 03, 2007, 09:19:28 AM »

4RnrRick · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2007, 09:16:44 AM »

Congrads! Its always a pleasure to chat with him!

abnormaltoy · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2007, 12:27:51 PM »

Well deserved! It gives me an idea for the next "commemorative" product...shift knobs in the likeness of his bronze HOF bust!

greenfox · « **Reply #28 on:** May 05, 2007, 05:57:08 PM »

It is nice to see people get notice for there hard work. Marlin your the man

BikerTrash · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2007, 06:41:33 PM »

Congratulations Marlin. Happy for yah.

Related Topics