Well DougH, thanks for bringing this gem up for me. 8 pages of talking Bombastic(I had to look that up)smack about me! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> Its funny how things come around. I tried an Xterra, and learned just how delicate they are. The old Gen I was tired for sure, and rebuilding engines and transmissions in Monteros is a nightmare. But being gone only a few years it is truly amazing the ingenuity that has occured in the relm of Monteros. Other then the old solid axle Cruiser (which is too big for me) it is really impossible to find a platform like the 94-96Sr to build on. You would think that wheeling Monteros my whole life, and watching carivans of completely dissabled 4x4s in the Sierras....Or worse yet on easy trails. I would have got that message. But I had to try an experiment. There is more then that as well. Trying personal times as well. I shuttered my 16 year old Construction business recently, as construction is no longer viable in the new America. The last several years of extreme struggle really pulled me away from fourwheeling. Less the financial issue, more just the stress of being gone and missing something important. I am now on un-employment and taking a stab at Government relations. I am feeling liberated, even though closing the old business will take some time yet. Despite my financial situation, I had a few dollars saved and the AZ gang volunteered some labor to get me rolling again. A frankly difficult to describe set of emotions well up over this. It feels good to be back. I also have a 20 month old boy, and another on the way.(the last) Not to mention my wife patient enough to tolerate trails that take all day to go a few miles <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> So the dream of family fourwheeling trips is really going to come through for me as well. With 5.00 gas, it may only be a couple of big trips a year, but I look forward to getting everyone back together for some week long, amazing adventures. New Trails and Old, New Friends and Old....

Lloyd that is just internet talk and noise, I wouldn't pay it an attention. I wasn't even thinking about those posts when I bumped this thread, I was stoked to see the posts from Charlie and Rodeo Fox and other people I hadn't heard from in ages.

Sorry to hear about the business but congrats on the additions to the family. My girlfriend that I own a house with has three girls that I get to help raise, but I don't think kids of my own are in the cards.

I still have the ring set that I purchased from you in a box somewhere. I have the arb front locker with no matching gearset available. Every few years I have offered it for sale and threatened to turn it into welding art. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

DougH and Lloyd on the wire at the same time? Woah... I'll be back. Gonna buy a lottery ticket! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I've been on here. Just check my post count. I think I'm only a couple of thousand posts from being at the top. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Web wheeling at it's finest.

Well, good to see you both on here. Doug, you need to keep your feet planted, fix your rig, and go wheeling again. You've probably gotten some raises since you started working at that firm so you can probably start affording it now.

Lloyd, glad to see you back bud and the AZ guys stepping up to fix your rig?!? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> Just an amazing group!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I wish Ray, every time I get a raise I seem to increase my expenses by a factor of 1.2. Exhibit A: girlfriend with 3 kids. That is all my professional accounting judgement at play.

At this point with packing parachutes the jumping pays for itself. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I dont post much anymore but I am still around. I just moved back from SC to LA. I have not done any wheeling in a long time. My black Montero needs some work.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Seeing some old timers back here

Both my Montero's are pretty ragged out. The old girls are always the last ones to get the little spare money laying around.

Whips, time to update the ole profile then LOL <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I may not be O.G., but I'm still here.

AZ Crew strong, even if I have them lift the heavy stuff. I tell 'em I'm old and they actually believe me.

John B.

Still around and read almost daily during lunch to keep up with everyone. Still missing my 93sr and spending about 6 days a week on the pitch. Our oldest plays on a traveling club team so it is soccer soccer soccer...youngest played as well now she is getting ready to start softball.......family camping photography, bike rides etc take up all the time one has in a day which is good. nice to see some of the old guys come back and post....... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Sparky, how is the '93SR doing? FYI - Sparkem bought that truck from me when I lived in MD. I drove it down to him. I actually never met him as he wasn't available. I dropped it off at the airport with his dad & flew back to MD with my 2 boys.

For me, I have been living in Alice Springs, AU for the last 2 years. Probably 2 years to go until we return to the states. I have a '04 Pajero DiD. Buildup has begun. Skidplates & driving lights so far. Lots of places to explore here. Just too bad diesel is like $7 a gallon!