Driving on a frozen lake and -40 degrees are a few things I’ll never forget. Your writing is very descriptive, having experienced many of these things myself, I feel like I’m right there watching in person. 👊 great stuff!
Was expecting you guys to have be rescued by 2 or 3 snow machines, leave the truck there until the weather got to a balmy -10C, or bring another 4X4 back with a small gas generator to plug the Toyota's block heater into (if they even had them in that model).
Still see a few of those 1980 models around, many with 350,000+ miles on 'em. The South American grandchild of that thing (the 4WD Hilux) is the most amazing 4WD truck I've ever seen (though the rural Argentines swear by the pre-2016 versions due to electronics, emissions, and other junk).
Well-preserved examples of those trucks can bring in excess of $20K, or even $30K at auction sites like Bring A Trailer. Shows how capable and reliable they are. I’ve seen automotive articles that suggest that Toyota is considering re-introducing a small, no-frills 4×4 to the North American market. They could probably grab a lot of market share from the ATV folks, as those rigs have gotten stupid expensive.
I've seen that rig on some websites. Beefier looking than your old 1980 but you make a good point about the price of ATV's. But, wheelbase and width wise, there are certain places an ATV/UTV might still be indispensable. (Thinking some trails in Nat Forest out west where we fish and at some point won't be able to hike to...).
I'd import a 2015 turbo diesel Hilux from Argentina tomorrow if I could find one with low miles in mint condition.
It’s my understanding the excessive regulations on safety and emissions keep the Hilux out of the our market. Too bad🥲 It sure looks like something I’d enjoy taking hunting. Speaking of high dollar resales my friend in North Dakota sold his 1995 F 250 extended cab with a standard transmission and power stroke drive train with 104k original miles for $18k that’s more than it cost new🤠 that’s Cowboy 🍀 luck!
Having used pans of charcoal briquettes, a coffee can with rolls of toilet paper saturated with fuel deicer, and logs from campfires to start recalcitrant engines, I appreciated your memories. Drives across iced over lakes are still a bit intimidating though, especially when you can feel the ice roll. Great read!
The pre-glow plug, naturally aspirated diesel engine extreme cold starting procedure is somewhat similar to your Toyota. In addition to heating the oil pan cooling system, a way to get starting heat into the cylinders is to crank it quickly with a sheet of paper burning at the closest available point to the intake valves. Without some source of supplementary starting heat, even -20 degrees is a little too cold to get compression ignition to work.
Driving on a frozen lake and -40 degrees are a few things I’ll never forget. Your writing is very descriptive, having experienced many of these things myself, I feel like I’m right there watching in person. 👊 great stuff!
You had me going (once again....as always...).
Was expecting you guys to have be rescued by 2 or 3 snow machines, leave the truck there until the weather got to a balmy -10C, or bring another 4X4 back with a small gas generator to plug the Toyota's block heater into (if they even had them in that model).
Still see a few of those 1980 models around, many with 350,000+ miles on 'em. The South American grandchild of that thing (the 4WD Hilux) is the most amazing 4WD truck I've ever seen (though the rural Argentines swear by the pre-2016 versions due to electronics, emissions, and other junk).
Great story, as usual, Trevor.
Well-preserved examples of those trucks can bring in excess of $20K, or even $30K at auction sites like Bring A Trailer. Shows how capable and reliable they are. I’ve seen automotive articles that suggest that Toyota is considering re-introducing a small, no-frills 4×4 to the North American market. They could probably grab a lot of market share from the ATV folks, as those rigs have gotten stupid expensive.
I've seen that rig on some websites. Beefier looking than your old 1980 but you make a good point about the price of ATV's. But, wheelbase and width wise, there are certain places an ATV/UTV might still be indispensable. (Thinking some trails in Nat Forest out west where we fish and at some point won't be able to hike to...).
I'd import a 2015 turbo diesel Hilux from Argentina tomorrow if I could find one with low miles in mint condition.
IIRC, the television show "Top Gear" featured a Hilux that took a licking and kept on ticking.
It’s my understanding the excessive regulations on safety and emissions keep the Hilux out of the our market. Too bad🥲 It sure looks like something I’d enjoy taking hunting. Speaking of high dollar resales my friend in North Dakota sold his 1995 F 250 extended cab with a standard transmission and power stroke drive train with 104k original miles for $18k that’s more than it cost new🤠 that’s Cowboy 🍀 luck!
Wow.
Having used pans of charcoal briquettes, a coffee can with rolls of toilet paper saturated with fuel deicer, and logs from campfires to start recalcitrant engines, I appreciated your memories. Drives across iced over lakes are still a bit intimidating though, especially when you can feel the ice roll. Great read!
Or when you hear it crack!
Great story and an excellent way to highlight, energy is life, and fire is the first form of energy
The pre-glow plug, naturally aspirated diesel engine extreme cold starting procedure is somewhat similar to your Toyota. In addition to heating the oil pan cooling system, a way to get starting heat into the cylinders is to crank it quickly with a sheet of paper burning at the closest available point to the intake valves. Without some source of supplementary starting heat, even -20 degrees is a little too cold to get compression ignition to work.