I think Todd is right about this. Mike Walter and I have joined the MN Trailriders local 4x4 club, a pretty cool group into crawling more than muddin'...other than us they are almost all Jeeps - we are definitely the black sheep of the group, but they are good guys and seem inclined to give us the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately they aren't much help with knowledge of Isuzu mods and such. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, being a member automatically gets us into the Minnesota 4-Wheel Drive Association, which does lobbying at the state level. Through our involvement with them I have already become much more aware of our legislature's activities that affect our sport.

well,that may be a step in the right direction for getting noticed, but Idon`t necessarily agree with the it`s the Isuzu people being the one`s that are anti jeep as much as the jeep people are the ones with there head stuck up their <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> dissing everything else, not just Isuzu.I went to a couple of meetings for 4x4 clubs and felt very unwelcomed as soon as I told them what I drive. Most say that they are not vehicle discriminating but in essence they really are. So again, with offroading being such a big industry and sport, I just can`t believe that the people who are supposed to be the proffesionals don`t know squat about anything but the "usuals" after all these years. You`d think they would want to be the ones to open the door for other vehicles and yes then the aftermarket will follow and more recognition would follow and so on!

It's like talkin politics, Ever since I started takin the Gator Gitter to work occasionaly and showin it off, the guys are all ears about the tech part of it being over built in the factory. One guy even came up today and said he's looking for an suv and found a late model Troop reasonable. Tellin the average enthusiast is the new market! you cant convert! would you? Get the new guys the facts, less mods to be less stuck, STOCK!

Less is More.

Scott

You might want to give it another go with a different club. I doubt it is Jeep people just some people that are that way. Look for a group that is associated with your state association and United. If you feel like you are on the hard core pages of Pirate you are in the wrong place. One last thing, a clue might be what is in the parking lot before you go in.
Todd

I agree with you Todd. Being involved gains reccognition. Last month Andy and I went to Terra Del Sol (a HUGE Jeep event in the San Diego area). THOUSANDS of Jeeps in one place at one time. We were there with a group of friends with Jeeps. (The same group of friends that came with us to Moab Zu 2 years ago.) Saying we were Fishes out of water would be a total understatement. HOWEVER..... in a sea of Jeeps Andy's Vehicross, and my Amigo stuck out! With thousands of Jeeps I saw only 2 other Isuzu's (first gen Amigo and Gilberts awesome Trooper). Everytime Andy's Proton Yellow Vehicross went up a hill he drew attention. The hills he goes up are the ones the Jeeps attempted (and most failed) to go up so that right there caused reactions. Every hill had people around the vehicle asking questions.
His truck is well known to the Forestry Service (he volunteers), he's always at clean up events (volunteers), and we've been active in a club that has an adopt a trail. If your club is mainly Jeeps gain the respect by what you can do. You can't prove that you can do it unless they see you do it.
Show them what you can do, and change their minds.

PetersonÆs 4-Wheel & Off-Road seems to be showing an active interest in receiving Isuzu and other æorphan brandÆ Off-Road Stories!



* Source:
[b]This 4W&OR Forum Thread[/b]



Our own æSASÆ has replied û and even mentioned 4x4Wire & Planet Isuzoo. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In time, I may just have to eat my words (as seen earlier in this thread)à
Who knows - Maybe the Mainstream Off-Roading Press actually has some love for us after all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I certainly appreciate your remarks Randii and Todd. I too have given up tooting the isuzu horn. I suppose that my vehicle is becoming more chevy every day though. Eventually the only isuzu thing left will probably be the horn =). Such is the SAS path I guess.

I think a big part of being accepted and making wheeling friends is to know enough about ALL makes of vehicles to actually contribute to anyone's conversation on whatever vehicle they are in. I know about all of the ?Js (TJ, CJ, etc...) because I have been wheeling with them. I ask about their vehicles because I have a sincere interest. I promise that if you have a sincere interest in other people's stuff they will have an interest in your stuff.

another thing I dont think most people realize is that advertisers dont just pay for ads, they pay for pictures too. It may seem like all those pictures in the trail rides and other articles are there because they are cool pics, but MANY of them are put there because an advertiser wanted a pic of a rig with their product or sticker on it. $$$ its what makes the world go round.

Dallas

FWIW, I sent them pictures and info for 4x4Wire, 'Zu Zoo, Inc., Planet Isuzoo, and E-Zoo-Zoo at the beginning of the month. Tori is planning an article for the October issue.

I might buy that issue. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Randii