A couple of weeks ago, we were having some nasty weather, so a friend of mine with another Cruiser and I went looking for some snow. The idea was that we'd hike down to some well known caves, but the wind was cutting through the best clothing we had so we just drove around for a while. Finally, we tried to start a fire to sit around, but the wood was too wet to get going. There was a little fun had on the sled, and then we took our cold, wet selves back to the house. Anyway, here are some pics of the rigs and the surroundings.





















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Interesting pictures of the old oak trees.

Jon,

Now that you've had both...how is the LC? I looked at an 87 with a transplanted 5-speed a number of years ago and always wondered how I'd have liked it.

Russell

There an LC like yours that just showed up in San Luis Salvage. 4 or 5 spd. Makes me wanna cry.

John, I was mesmerized by those trees. I spent a good bit of time walking around them and wishing I could know their stories. There is a lot of cool stuff to see up on that mountain...

Russell, I have to admit that the Cruiser didn't stay a true Cruiser for very long, so my opinion shouldn't carry much weight regarding the capabilities of the truck as a stock piece of equipment. Michael (Grasscat) drove me to the Bakersfield area to pick it up, and I discovered a coolant leak into the oil on the way home. I ran some diagnostic checks, pulled the head and rocker arm cover (breaking head and t-stat housing bolts in the process), couldn't find a definitive source for the leak, called Fast Eddy, and yanked the 4.2L engine out. I then proceeded to get a 5.7 Vortec swapped in and just got a 5 speed, from overseas, installed. I also swapped diffs to 4.10s and refreshed the axle/brakes. I lifted it and put 33s under it before the engine swap was even done. Long story, long, it's not a stock Cruiser, BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT THE WAY IT IS! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dave, the thought of one of these Cruiser going to scrap makes me wanna cry, as well. On another forum I'm a member of, these rigs are very popular, and it seems there is one being parted out all the time. Some of them are VERY nice.

Anyway, thanks for the comments. These days, every day in my Cruiser is a GREAT day!

A quick follow up note on Russell's question:
I loved the LWB Montero I had. It held a lot of stuff, and It did well for what it was. I also loved the 2.6 Raider I had. It was a bit underpowered, but it drove straight, and I regret ever getting into the bad-a$$ed Raider build with the jacka$$ who ultimately stole my FJ40 that I never got to drive. Finally, I regret selling my V6 Raider to Kirk after I finally got it running correctly. That rig had a lot of work put into it, and I truly wish I kept it for my kid.

All that said, the Cruiser is a COMPLETELY different rig than any of the "Montys" that I've owned. It is a rig with R-O-O-M to build it with all I wanted in it, and it's finally getting there.

I hope that answers the mail...