Ricardo Maestas

[RicardoJM]

My first 4 wheel drive vehicle was a 1985 Forerunner that I bought to take me fly fishing. The truck was red with a black top and a kicking Alpine stereo system. At the time I bought it, I knew very little about Toyota 4 wheel drive, but knew my brother’s 1986 Forerunner had been a very good truck and took him all over with no mechanical issues or breakdowns. My runner was an excellent truck and never left me stranded. At the time I got the truck we were starting our family and money was tight so to seal the deal with my wife I tied flies to earn the cash to make the monthly payment. I got to be pretty good at tying flies and to remind me of my obligation to fund the truck I picked up vanity license plates – FLYTIRE.


The runner was replaced with a new Ford Bronco and throughout the late 90s this was my daily driver. I still have the Bronco today and it has the FLYTIRE plates. In 2003, the desire for a 4 door SUV took hold and I started to shop. I really wanted a new Excursion, Expedition, Tahoe, Suburban vehicle but was shocked at how much a new SUV cost. In looking at used vehicles, I was also disappointed at how quickly these new trucks got “old”; creaks, rattles and major repairs. So, I started looking at other options and really grew to like the 100 series Land Cruisers. They solidly fit my criteria for a big V8 powered, reliable, 4 door vehicle. On the used market cost was comparable to domestic SUVs, but the quality, fit and finish was so much better. I found a 99 LX 470 from Stevinson Lexus at one of the weekend car sales at the Jeffco fairgrounds and within a week was driving it home. I’ve put over 60k on it and the only major repair needed so far has been a starter.

Steve Crase turned me on to the Rising Sun and IH8MUD forums as a resource for my 100 series and I started following them. My first foray into cruiser wrenching came in July 2007 and was helping Timm and Matt unload a 2F engine from a trailer. A really simple thing, but at the time it was fascinating. A month later, I spent a few hours at the Rising Sun Rally and pulled the running boards off the 100 series and took it on the easy run up Bill Moore. Seeing all the older 40’s and 45’s at the rally I got to thinking about how simple and utilitarian these vehicles are. So a little over a year ago I started looking for an older Ford Bronco or Land Cruiser project. The last week of December 2007 I brought home a 71 FJ40.


After attending a couple of meetings, I joined Rising Sun in December 2007. My first year experience has been great. There is always something going on and many opportunities to get involved and learn.