About Myself

Packing up for the TLCA's Cruise Moab

My wife Carrie and I live in Littleton, Colorado, on the southwest side of the Denver metro area along with our sons Justin and Forrest. That puts us very close to some of the best wheeling in the country, in the Rocky Mountains. I work in software manufacturing, which is the digital equivalent of an assembly line – but with mental products! My role might be best understood as all the responsibilities of project management with few of the perks. Still, it’s the best job I’ve ever had.

If it has anything to do with the outdoors, I have probably done it and loved it. Currently the hobbies that have my attention, besides driving and working on my truck, are dualsport motorcycling (dirt and street that is), home improvement, and as time allows, model railroading (a mountainous steam layout, of course). Hunting with friends and my older son is a precious thing to me, and camping, hiking, and mountain biking are sure to reconnect my head with my soul. Speaking of my soul, I am also very involved in my church, a startup Anglican Church in the South Metro area.

Coming to motorized sports from dirtbiking, I first wheeled in a brand new 1979 Chevy LUV. Increasingly frustrated as my skills grew, I then purchased a 1982 Toyota 4x4 longbed and loved it for over 100K miles. I have also owned a 1990 4Runner, a 1989 SR5 XtraCab 4x4, and currently a 1987 4Runner. My wife drives a 1997 4Runner, Justin drives a 1988 standard cab 4x4, and Forrest draws endless interpretations of what his Toyota will look like. We are a family of loyal Toyota enthusiasts!

I am a member of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association and the Rising Sun 4x4 club. The four wheeling I do is mostly on mountain trails in this area, but I make the annual pilgrimage to Moab at least a couple times a year.

Crossing the famous Golden Crack.

I purchased my 1987 4Runner (Red Chili II) after an undocumented driver totaled my 1990 4Runner (Red Chili I). I had begun to modify the ’90, and was forming in my mind what I really wanted out of the truck. The wreck was actually fortunate, as I was able to focus on what I consider the best Toyota has or had to offer in minitrucks and components. My goal is to retain drivability, but I plan on modifying just about every aspect of the truck with the best mods as function demands. A Toyota solid axle, Landcruiser front third member, Marlin Crawler, air lockers and the rear third member from the original Red Chili form the basis of a very capable, and almost all Toyota truck. One of my goals is being able to repair or overhaul every system on the truck, myself. Read more about my Toyota here.

I think that's why I'm here with 4x4Wire. I have found on this site a constant stream of good technical information and advice that has saved me countless hours of research and reinventing the wheel. I am excited to give something back; I hope to contribute to that information base and the skills and abilities of those who log on. So, I look forward to the journey here at 4x4Wire. I love finding things out the hard way (why stop now?), and sharing my experiences with you to make your life easier!