history

In '94, my twin brother, Ryan, and I pooled our high school graduation money together and purchased a 1985 Toyota 4runner. I can't remember why we originally chose to go with a 4runner, but we did a bit of research and looked for months before we found the truck we wanted.

She was beautiful; the old toyota tan paint with brown and gold stripes racing down the sides, chrome bumpers and running boards. The interior was also Desert Storm themed: tan and brown. And a 2" suspension lift picked up the back end so the rear didn't sag (the curse of most 1st generation 4runners). Looking back, there was so little I knew about the Toyota truck then. Later, I realized that my brother and I had stumbled upon the pinnacle of Toyota manufacturing: the 22RE engine with the straight front axle.

For over a year, Ryan and I lovingly abused the truck. We found a mud pit not too far from our high school in Arvada, CO, and would spend our lunch periods bouncing through the sludge and then laughing our heads off as we slung mud on passing cars as we returned to school along 58th and Ward Rd. In the winter, we'd find snow covered fields and try to get stuck. Tie a sled to the bumper and fly through our neighborhood. That summer, we experienced for the first time the siren-song of the 4runner: the removable top. We coasted through the city of Denver, the wind knotting our hair, U2 blasting on the stereo, and the envy glances of our friends. Drive-in movies became an entirely new experience, and driving to our favorite campsites and fishing holes became more enjoyable than the actual camping or fishing. The truck was the embodiment of youth, of care free summers, and the wild heart roaring in every man.

Years passed, my brother got married, I bought his half of the truck, and I entered on my own Toyota journey. I became best friends with 5 guys, and coincidentally, providently perhaps, we all owned Toyota trucks. The world of 4wheeling was finally introduced to me, and once arrived, there was no going back.

to be continued...