Two months after the nuptials, I purchased an '82 CJ-5 with the Iron Puke - oops, I mean Duke - four-banger AMC purchased from Pontiac for a few years. Those were a few years too many, as the Iron Duke was a gutless boat anchor. This was the first Jeep I installed a Detroit Locker front and rear in, and although I loved the lockers I couldn't stand the Iron Duke, so I traded the CJ for a new '86 Toyota pickup in late 1985. This pickup was the first Toyota with an independent frontend. Hicks 4x4 in Pomona, California, installed a Detroit in the rear and a TRD limited-slip up front, so the truck worked well. It was stolen from my garage never to be seen again by anyone I knew.
I purchased another Toyota, this time an '88 with 3.0 V6. I didn't like the 3.0 V6, so I sold this truck and purchased an '86 CJ-7 with 258 I6, T5 five-speed tranny, Dana 300 transfer case, AMC 20 rearend, and Dana 30 front. I put Summers Brothers one-piece axles in the 20, 4.56 gears and Detroit Lockers front and rear, a 3-inch Rancho suspension, white spoke wheels and 33-inch BFGoodrich Radial All-Terrain T/A tires. I then headed for Utah to lead the Behind the Rocks trail during Easter Jeep Safari, something I enjoyed doing for a number of years back then. This was a great Jeep, but after rolling over a few times and heavy off-road usage, this Jeep died and ended up as parts. I then found a salvage '85 CJ-7 that became the "Salvage Special" project: my first in the new 4WD&SU. This CJ received a throttle-body-injected Chevy 350, 700-R4 transmission, Dana 300 transfer case, Currie Ford 9-inch front and rear ends with 4.56 gears and Detroit Lockers. It was also painted a bright poppy red that could be seen for miles.
I'm out of room, so I will continue vehicle reminiscences in the next 4Word. Whether it was in a Land Rover, Jeep, or Toyota, what every one of these 4x4s did was enable me to get into the backcountry and explore, seeing things chairborne people will never see. You know how cool it is to put the wheels on the dirt, headed for adventure. It's a feeling that can't be described. I owe a debt of gratitude to all my old 4x4s. I'm sure you feel the same about your vehicles, whether they're old iron or brand-new steel.
I hope to see you on the trail in whatever you're driving.