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Unicorn: a mythical, magical creature believed to be responsible for all things awesome. More elusive than Sasquatch in board shorts and a Hawaiian t-shirt chewing on beef jerky, Unicorns are the rarest and most exquisite creatures ever to grace our planet. After months of searching, we located ours, and as it turns out, it was hiding in our backyard.  Earlier this year, we rolled our Toyota FJ Cruiser outside Ontario, Oregon (rollover article). Soon after that, the search for a replacement rig began. We narrowed the list down to a few vehicles within the Toyota family (FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Tacoma, Land Cruiser, GX460, and GX470). We did not want to rush buying and building our next off-road vehicle, so we took our time, weighed the options, and got feedback from people within the community. Early on we were leaning towards a Lexus GX470, more specifically, a 2005 model. Reason being, they have more cargo space than our previous FJ Cruiser, larger engine (V8), higher towing capacity, and the average price for a used GX470 is typically much less than other Toyota options. Buying used meant spending less on the vehicle and allowing for money spent on the build versus modifying a brand new vehicle as we did with the FJ. Even though we were reasonably confident we would go with a GX, we kept our options open and did more research (drinking cold beer while searching the internet) on all the vehicles on our list, including the GX470. While digging a little deeper into each one, we quickly learned the optional in-dash navigation system with integrated climate controls is prone to failure in earlier GX470 models. Also, if you want to upgrade the head unit, and maintain some of the auxiliary controls, it can be very difficult to do since everything is built into the stock display. We narrowed a target year down for the GX470 we wanted. The 2005 had the highest producing horsepower engine available for the 470 models. We were also leaning towards the grayish (Ash Blue Mica) color with gray interior. A Sport variant was released that year too. Although the same basic vehicle, it did have some subtle differences, to include: smoked bezel headlamps, and black bird's eye maple wood trim pieces on the interior.
Now, here is the Unicorn part of this puzzle. Finding a gray (exterior/interior) 2005 GX470 can be somewhat difficult. Finding one without navigation can be even more difficult. Finding it in a Sport model, well, that would be a Unicorn! In terms of a Lexus GX470, we knew what we wanted, but we were not entirely sold on the fact that this was the right adventure rig for us. We had a few questions that were completely subjective and could not be answered in a simple drive down the road in someone else's GX. Comfort on long trips, sleeping in the vehicle, and drivability after being built were some of the questions we had. Those questions, plus some were all answered when Metal Tech 4x4 tossed us the keys to their 2005 Lexus GX470 and told us to drive it from the Portland, OR area to Asheville, NC for Overland Expo East (road trip Itinerary). Even better, they wanted us to take it off-road and see what life was like living out of it for about 15 days during the BA / MT Coast-2-Coast Road Trip (article coming soon). Ashlie was not able to join me on this adventure, but my good buddy and professional photographer, Jonathan DeRise (Jon DeRise Photography) did. Here is what I learned from this epic road trip and in-depth, hands-on test drive. The GX470 is the perfect platform for our next adventure vehicle build. Not only was it comfortable and performed great on and off the road, but if two, middle age, bearded fat guys can be comfortable living out of it, I know my petite wife and I will be too. Here is the when and where part of this story. While driving the Metal Tech 4x4 GX470 from Texas to Louisiana for another meetup during our road trip, we discovered there was a Unicorn sitting on the lot of a small dealership just outside of Lafayette, Louisiana (our home). The date was September 23, 2017, and it was late in the afternoon when we saw it online. Too late as a matter of fact to call them and ask questions about it. Following our meet with members of the Bayou State Land Cruiser Association on Sunday the 24th, DeRise and I stopped by the dealership before heading out to Alabama. Because of the day and time, the dealership was closed, but that didn't mean I couldn't at least look at it. After some heavy breathing and creepy touching we left, but before doing so, in my best Terminator voice, I whispered to the GX, "I'll be back." In my absence, another good friend of mine, Cory Landry (Cory Landry Music), test drove the GX for me. The next day, Ashlie went to the dealership and completed all the paperwork. This particular Lexus GX470 is a grayish 2005 Sport, non-nav with approximately 174,000 miles and one owner. Out the door with tax, title, and license we paid nearly $9,500 for it. After waiting several months, and with the help of friends, Ashlie and I captured our Unicorn! LET THE MAGIC BEGIN!  Thank you to Jon DeRise Photography for providing some of the pictures and other media used within this article. To learn more about Metal Tech 4x4, click here: Facebook / Website Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker Gallery GX470 Promo Video
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As many of you know, our 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser saw adventure from coast to coast. We hit all lower 48 states, parts of Canada and traveled about 70,000 plus miles in road trips. We attended events all over America and had the pleasure of meeting thousands of people along the way. We even started a small business (Bakes FJ, now Bourn Adventure) all because of the FJ. It's safe to say; we had a lifetime's worth of experiences because of her. For those who might not know, we rolled our FJ on January 4, 2017, while crossing through Ontario, OR. This happened when we encountered a freak snowstorm while traveling on I 84 east. Due to the extent of damage, it was totaled. After rolling the FJ, we knew our story wasn't over yet. In fact, it gave us the opportunity to start writing a new chapter. This chapter would be titled Bourn Adventure and would allow us to revisit previous destinations, see new places, meet new people, and use different vehicles to Explore America. Although we knew life would continue for us, we feared that was not the case for the FJ. We thought the roll over was the final chapter for her. Period, end of story, book closed! As fate would have it, she too is writing another chapter! On February 7th, 2017 a gentleman named Mahmoud Awada found the FJ on Copart, which is an online auto auction site. Not knowing much about the FJ, other than it was a 2012 with approximately 86,000 miles on it, he bought it. Mahmoud is the owner of Awada Motors Group in AL Janub in Lebanon and frequently buys vehicles from the United States and other countries. Once he purchases these vehicles, he has them shipped to his shop with the intent to rebuild/repair and resell. A few days later, a customer of his asked if he had any FJ Cruisers coming in. Mahmoud sent him a picture of the one he just bought. It just so happened, that customer followed Bakes FJ and recognized it from various social media posts. After doing some research, Mahmoud reached out to me to inform me that he purchased the FJ. He said the journey would take about one month and ten days before it would reach her new home there in Lebanon. Mahmoud and I have stayed in contact over the last few months. He was kind enough to send pictures of the progress he made with the FJ. By no means has the rebuild been easy. The FJ had significant damage to the A-pillars, roof, and body. I had also removed the majority of the aftermarket parts, which meant he needed new replacement OEM or aftermarket parts. If that was not enough, some of the suspension components and other parts damaged from the roll over stayed on the vehicle, leading him to deal with that headache too. The stock seats were there, but in pieces, because I used parts from them for the aftermarket seats. On top of all that, it can be difficult and/or costly to find replacement parts or aftermarket parts there in Lebanon. In just a few short months, he has repaired all of the damage and added some new modifications. Mahmoud has done a fantastic job overcoming the obstacles he faced with this rebuild. The attention to detail is amazing. He even managed to get the red LED interior lighting and outside rock lighting back in working condition. Mahmoud was kind enough to leave all the stickers on the FJ too! The FJ is now on the road and in the process of writing its next chapter. The FJ has come a long way from laying upside down in a snow covered ditch to Exploring a new part of the world. From the time the FJ made her maiden voyage, till now, she has been a part of some epic adventures. Although we miss her, we look forward to following along on the adventures the FJ and Mahmoud (or new owner) experience together. We also have an open invitation to visit the FJ there in Lebanon at some point, which we would love to do! To read the roll over article, please click HERE To read the JCW MINI Cooper article, please click HERE Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker GalleryThe cat is out of the bag. We bought a 2017 John Cooper Works MINI, in Moonwalk grey! Before we go any further with this article, let me clarify. The MINI is not the direct replacement for the FJ. We have no intentions of leaving the Toyota community. We are still getting something within the Toyota family to use as our off-road adventure vehicle. We hope to decide on a vehicle soon. In the meantime, we plan on doing some fun adventures in the Cooper, and we hope you will continue to follow along.  As I have stated in previous articles, the FJ gave us a sense of adventure and freedom that we had not experienced before. It allowed us to become part of an amazing community of Toyota owners and off-road enthusiasts. The long road trips we took in the FJ across this beautiful and amazing country of ours led us to discover our desire to Explore America. As much as Ashlie and I loved driving the FJ all over the country, our bank account felt differently. The FJ averaged about 12 MPG (miles per gallon). On average, we would make three long road trips a year, and sometimes they would go over 10,000 miles. Fuel easily became one of our biggest expenses on those trips, especially during the summer months when gas prices typically went up.  Our new MINI Cooper started as an idea in December of 2015. Ashlie and I were talking about getting a second vehicle that is more fuel efficient to use on summer road trips. The thought behind this was, the FJ would remain our winter road trip/off road event vehicle and the new one for longer road trips. As she and I shared car ideas, I brought up a MINI Cooper. She gave me a confused look at first, but then I reminded her I used to own a one many years ago and I loved it!  Excuse me while I travel down memory lane for a few seconds. At the time (2006/2007), I lived in Atlanta and then moved up to St. Louis. The MINI and I traveled all over the southern part of the United Sates together and then when I moved up north, all over the Midwest. All those miles and I probably only put five dollars worth of gas in her. She was a fuel efficient, eye-catching, street legal go-kart. Those of you that knew me then, or rode with me, can tell you I drove that car hard. I was much younger at the time and did not do a good job taking care of the MINI (or anything else for that matter), but she took care of me. I had an 18 wheeler blow a tire right next to me that caused body damage when the tread flew off and slammed into the front end. Another time, a deer decided to hit me on the passenger side of the MINI while I was driving on the highway. Yes, you read that right the deer hit me, not the other way around. It apparently chose the MINI because of how small it was and decided it could win. It darted out from behind a sign and ran into the side of the car causing more body damage and my passenger (6'4", 230ish man) to scream like a little girl. The deer stood up, ran off and I'm sure, became a legend among his friends for his actions that day. I would often drive it in places or across terrain where I'm sure the MINI engineers did not intend for it to go. I did not do proper maintenance on it, and at on point, I'm sure I missed an oil change or three by several thousand miles. I even lost first gear (manual). It's a long story, but just know, I never found it again. All that wear and tear and constant abuse I put the MINI through, and she never gave me any issues, except for that time I got it stuck on a small tree. That's another story. My point is, she was a reliable vehicle, and one that I could count on to get me from point A to B. Any issues I had were caused by yours truly and were not noticeable when I turned the music louder. Let's get back to discussing how Ashlie and I decided on the MINI Cooper as our next road trip vehicle. As I said, better fuel efficiency was important to us. The MINI gets about 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway. In theory, this will reduce our fuel expense by two-thirds on road trips, giving us more money for Slurpees, candy, and other snacks. The MINI is also a head turner, similar to how the FJ was. By no means is she modest looking. Her flashy colors and curvy body lines make her stand out in a crowd. Its unique, compact design allows it to be very nimble and carve up turns like a hot knife through butter.  The original MINI was meant to have a simple, ordinary life as a cheap economy car. She was born out of necessity for a smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle that was within the financial grasp of just about everyone at the time and still capable of transporting a family. To meet these strict demands engineers had to get creative. Due to their "outside the box" thinking, they achieved their goal and gave the world the MINI in 1959. Soon after its release, it captured the minds and imaginations of many people. From then till now, she has continued to entertain the masses. Her iconic history has become embedded in the motoring world. MINI has done a fantastic job at paying attention to the small details to make this car even more distinctive and fun to drive. Much like the Toyota community, MINI owners are very passionate about their hobby. To some, the MINI is not a vehicle, it's a way of life, and that lifestyle is about adventure. Several MINI sponsored/organized events across the country bring owners together. Some of these events draw owners, passengers, and spectators in by the thousands. You'll see base model stock MINI's to modified, track style MINI's and everything in between. I even accidently stumbled across one of these events in August of 2015 while up in Michigan. It was called "MINI On The Mac" where more than 1,300 MINIs were in attendance to attempt a new world record of Largest-ever MINI Cooper Parade, which is currently held by the English. Unfortunately, they missed their goal that day, but I'm sure the comradery and friendships made there far surpass any record. If you're interested in reading more about this, please click the link: MINI On The Mac  Although different, the Toyota and MINI communities are very similar. They both care deeply about their vehicles and share the desire for adventure, togetherness and telling their story. The most notable difference is, one group loves the off-road while the other loves the road. Both roads lead to freedom, adventure and the outdoors. In the end, they find themselves at the same destination. As fate would have it, I totaled the FJ in January 2017 after putting her belly up in Oregon. We did not want to rush the selection process of the replacement rig, but we needed a second vehicle. We decided to move on the MINI idea now. By doing this, it allowed more time to find the off-road rig that is right for us. We also figured, if we get the MINI now, we can start taking road trips and attending events in it. Initially, our plan was to keep Ashlie's 2014 Cadillac CTS-V (her dream car) and get the MINI as a second vehicle for me. Once we decided on the replacement rig and were ready to buy it, we would sell her CTS-V, and the MINI would become her daily driver. The more we thought it about it, the more it made sense to sell her CTS-V now and only have one vehicle. There are advantages and disadvantages to only having one car, but for us, the pros outweigh the cons. Sure, we could have waited on the MINI and taken the CTS-V on the road for now, but we would be in a similar fuel predicament what we were in with the FJ. The CTS-V is a high-horsepower beast who's Super Charged engine guzzles fuel at a rate of "oh damn!" On paper, the CTS-V gets 14 MPG city and 19 MPG highway. In reality, the fuel economy is more like Scotty from Star Trek, "I'm givin' her all she's got, Captain!" which equates to an average of 15 MPG. In February 2017 we ordered our MINI, and on March 15, 2017, it arrived at the dealership. March 24, 2017, Ashlie took her final drive in the CTS-V as she made her way to the Brian Harris MINI dealership in Baton Rouge, LA. It was a day of mixed emotions. We said good-bye to the V and hello to the MINI.  Although our new MINI does not have the blood pumping power plant the CTS-V did, she still has a healthy heart beat. With 228 horsepower flowing from her turbocharged engine and the Dynamic Damper Controlled suspension, she zips around the city and winding mountain roads without effort. Combined with the John Cooper Works Pro Bluetooth Exhaust, she goes from quiet, innocent Sunday morning to loud, rowdy Friday night. With a push of a button, the exhaust re-routes, bypassing the restrictive catalytic converter and unleashes a growl that commands attention and respect.  Her name says it all, MINI. She is used to being the underdog and picked on by the larger motors, but if given a chance, she will surprise even the strongest competitor. What she lacks in raw power she makes up for in stamina and agility. The Cooper might be MINI, but she packs a punch! Like boxing, the motorsports world is full of eager fighters in all shapes and sizes. The MINI might not be in the main event, but she is still a competitor none the less. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." is a quote by boxing legend Muhammad Ali which I feel best describes the MINI attitude. Fuel efficiency is what lead us to look for a second vehicle, but the community and MINI heritage is what made us decide on which vehicle that would be. We are proud to be part of this new family and look forward to experiencing everything it has to offer. Here's to the MINI!  Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker GalleryIn September 2012, we bought a new Toyota FJ Cruiser. It was an Iceberg White, 2012 with a rear e-locker (electronic locker), A-TRAC (Active Traction Control), 115v/400-watt AC power outlet and a nice sounding stock JBL stereo system with subwoofer. The FJ was the first new vehicle I ever bought.  Before owning the FJ, I had a 2005 Yamaha R1 motorcycle which was my only mode of transportation at the time. I loved that R1 very much, and she was my everything. We had a great time together and logged a lot of miles on the road, but I was missing something. Growing up in Washington state, I spent a lot of time camping in the mountains and hitting trails with old friends. I wanted to get back to the outdoor life. As much fun as it might be taking the R1 off road, I knew my insurance company would not approve. The search began for a 4x4 vehicle that would allow Ashlie and me to find adventure. There are several great options to choose from when looking for a capable off road vehicle. Since we would be driving long distances, I knew it needed to be reliable on and off road, have a decent amount of storage space for gear, could be easily modified (vendor availability) and look awesome. After doing a bit of research and several test drives, the Toyota FJ Cruiser was the vehicle of choice. Not only did it meet and exceed my initial expectations, but it also came with a great community of fellow Toyota owners and enthusiasts. Having belonged to motorcycle groups/clubs in the past, having that type of network again was important to me. I decided to sell the R1 and use the money as a down payment on an FJ. It was a bittersweet moment for me. After the tears had subsided, I took that money directly to a Toyota dealership and gave it to a sales representative.  I originally wanted an Army Green TT (Trail Team) FJ Cruiser, but soon learned it might be easier to find a Unicorn and teach it to ride a Unicycle while whistling "My Achy Breaky Heart." Upon receiving that soul-crushing news, I decided to go with the IceBerg White FJ. One of my good friends also owned an FJ cruiser, which was modified. He had replaced the suspension, bumpers and a few other things. I examined his rig carefully to get some ideas. After lots of creepy staring and touching on my part, I decided I needed to start modifying my FJ. The original plan was simple modifications. Tires, suspension and maybe bumpers. Stock, the FJ is a capable rig. No doubt, it could get me where I wanted to go without any issues, but, where is the fun in keeping it stock. #ModtheYota My same friend introduced me to a Toyota club in the area which he had a membership with. After that, he recommended some Toyota social media pages to follow. If that wasn't enough, he suggested a few vendors and websites where I could buy parts. Having all this information thrown at me by my buddy and new Toyota friends, I had no choice but to go full potato with the FJ. I would wake up early in the morning and stay up late at night looking at social media pages, forums and window-shopping online. I compiled several lists of modifications, which seemed to change daily based on what new shiny products I found. What was supposed to be simple modifications approved by The Boss (my wife), soon turned into massive changes. Some of those changes may have shocked her. Like that time she came home, and the interior of the FJ was laying outside, on the ground. I knew I had been caught doing something naughty because the first words out of my mouth were, "this isn't what it looks like."  At times, she did not agree with some of the modifications, especially since cutting into the vehicle was necessary and I had only made a few payments on it at that time. One such modification was the snorkel. Put simply; she was not thrilled that I spend money on and cut into the FJ for such a "silly" add on. Little did she know, the modification Gods were satisfied with my sacrifice and smiling down upon me. Shortly after installing the snorkel, we had a massive storm come through our area which led to flash flooding. She could not drive to work because the roads around our house had about three feet of water on them. She asked if I could drive her to work. I asked, "why do you think I can do that?" Her response was, "because you have a freaking snorkel, now take me to work!" From that point forward, she allowed me to accessorize the FJ as I saw fit, as long as I "needed it" or it was "practical." I quickly found a way to justify every modification and chose my words wisely when articulating the "why." If that failed, I switched to plan B which was reminding her of that time we used the FJ as an Ark so she could get to work. In the words of Hannibal, "I love when a plan comes together."  Over the years, the FJ's physical features changed drastically and it was hardly recognizable as the vehicle I bought in 2012. As time went on, she developed her own personality and drew people closer to look at her. There were times I would walk outside from a public place and find people taking a picture of it, with it or reading all the stickers that littered the exterior. Without hesitation, I would start a conversation with these curious onlookers. They were even more intrigued when I showed them the patch collection on the headliner. Each sticker and patch told a story, and they found it fascinating. The FJ was a travel diary on wheels. When we left home for an off road event or a long road trip, it was about the adventure. If we saw a place we wanted to go, we went. If we wanted to get dirty, we did. If we wanted to stop and explore, it happened. The only limitation to our journey was the ability to forget about everything and enjoy the moment.  The FJ gave us more than we could have ever imagined. Because of her, we traveled to all lower 48 states and parts of Canada, attended several off-road events, met thousands of people, and started a small business (BakesFJ.com, now Bourn Adventure). I never completely understood the impact of a vehicle, until owning the FJ. Every year, millions of people are brought together because of cars. Whether it is a car show, motorsports event, club or an event like SEMA. Owners, enthusiasts, and vendors all assemble because of cars. Just like so many of you, I have witnessed that first hand. When I first bought the FJ, I thought I was giving her a new life. I later discovered she gave me a new life in the form of memories, friends and a desire to seek adventure. Unfortunately, she met her demise on a cold, snowy highway in Ontario, OR in January of 2017. That day, she gave her life so we could keep ours. The FJ, like most Toyotas, is very well built and allowed Ashlie and me to walk away from the roll over without injury.  Though the FJ is gone now, her memory lives on, and she continues to encourage us to Explore America. Even though the name of our business and social media pages has changed, the adventure remains the same. The road trip torch has been passed on to our other vehicles now, and they will each become a legend in their own right all because the FJ paved the path for them and us. Here's to the FJ! May you rest easy in Valhalla.  Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker GalleryIn April 2015, we picked up a 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, which just happened to be Ashlie's dream car. I must admit, I too shared the same dream. From the first time we laid eyes on her; we were in love. To the unknowing person, she is just another car. To us, she is much more, and we knew what she was capable of doing.  The 2014 CTS-V comes from the factory with over 550 HP (horsepower). With a few bolt-ons, tweaks and turns you can quickly surpass that. The vehicle specs are impressive but fail to deliver the driving experience and my perception of her. To ultimately appreciate her body lines and on demand power, you need to experience it in person. Physics prevent us from doing that in this article. Like my man Bob Ross, please allow me the opportunity to paint you a picture of the happy little CTS-V rather than continue to spout performance numbers. Don't let the title fool you; she is no ordinary Cadillac. The CTS is a fast mover on her own, but the V designation at the end makes it Alpha in the Cadillac line-up. Performance wise, it was built to put other cars in their place and have their owner's question what just happened. Her bloodline has traces of Vette in it, and her heart is healthy with American muscle. The sleek design and placement of the classy Cadillac emblems lure unsuspecting prey into its' high horsepower jaws. Once the prey is within grasp of its torque filled claws, the supercharged heart beat begins to pulse, and she lets out a soothing roar from her exhaust as she elegantly devours her prey. Within seconds the fight is over. The once ambitious rival soon becomes just another tasteless meal. She doesn't go looking for her next snack. She knows that soon enough the next eager contestant will thoughtlessly challenge her strength.  Although very sneaky and discreetly cloaked, she is easy to track. All one has to do to find her is to follow the trail of carcasses left along the path. Be warned; she might lash out if provoked. If so, it is to prove a point, and she will go straight for the jugular. Not all cars fall victim to her seductive methods. Just like many venomous predators, she has brightly colored markings to help level the playing field. Strategically placed across her body are the V badges, which serve as a warning to curious owners who might challenge her. If ignored, this could prove to be a fatal bite. The pavement is her territory, and she rules it with authority. Like the animal kingdom, the motorsports world is a large place filled with potential rivals in all shapes and sizes. There are a few beasts who wander these lands that can indeed give her a run for her money. When confronted by another true Alpha, rest assured, a battle is soon to follow. Without warning, the sound of sensual, mechanical perfection fills the air, and the release of raw power causes the ground to tremble. Onlookers are hypnotized by the sounds and sights. When majestic machines such as these face off, there isn't much blood lost. More times than not, when the fight is over, they respectfully recognize the power and might of one another and walk away with their honor. Normally, these types of encounters are not about dominance; it's a playful show of power between Kings and Queens of the streets. Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker GalleryIn October 2016 we bought a new motorcycle. The beautiful bike we picked up was a gun metal gray 2016 Yamaha R1 (1000cc). She was completely stock and had zero miles on here when we bought it. A few weeks after owning it, she had a little over a thousand miles on the odometer and a few new modifications. One of them being the exhaust.  This isn't the first R1 we have had. Many years ago we owned a 2005 R1, which was my pride and joy. We have owned several motorcycles over the years, and I have loved the all, but the R1 is my favorite. In my opinion, the R1 is one of the best-designed and engineered machines available on the sportbike market. To me, Yamaha is the industry leader, but I'm sure a rider loyal to another brand would say the same about theirs. Before owning this R1, my favorite year was 2005. To me, that was one of the best feeling sportbikes on the road. It was light, fast and had very aggressive styling. In 2012 I parted ways with her to make room for a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. I'm very happy to have another R1. Yamaha did a fantastic job with the redesign of the R1. This new model is now my favorite. The looks, performance, and technology they put into this bike is breathtaking. Out of all the motorcycle I have owned or ridden over the course of 14 years, the R1 is the bike that gets the blood coursing through my veins the most. I look forward to modifying it slightly and taking short road trips on her!  Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below! The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. -Bourn Adventure Author: Baker GalleryWhen I first bought the FJ I didn’t know exactly what I wanted out of it. I would watch videos, see pictures and read articles about what people were doing with their Toyotas. This gave me ideas and encouraged me to start building the FJ for what I wanted at the time. The first trips in the FJ were to off road parks with friends or organized events. I would stay there for a few days, do a little camping, meet new people, run the trails and check out other rigs.  Initially, I wanted more of a dedicated off road vehicle/build. I thought about bigger tires, solid axel swap (SAS) up front and a roll cage (turns out I need that). I knew If I turned the FJ into a dedicated off road rig, it would eventually spend most of its life ridding on a trailer. I enjoyed working challenging obstacles, putting the FJ in crazy places and the possibility of trail damage/breakage. After almost two years though, I found myself not getting much out of it and wanting something more. By no means am I saying I regret doing that or that I didn’t have fun, because I had a blast. I loved hanging out with friends, meeting new people, running the trails, sharing laughs and having a cold beer by the campfire. If I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would and plan on doing some of that with the next rig. Attending events is still one of my favorite things. What do I mean by “not getting much out of it and wanting more?" At the time, I didn’t know what I was missing or even what I was searching for. After taking several large road trips across this great county of ours, I discovered my desire to Explore America. I found a passion of putting miles on the FJ (on and off road) while seeing new places and re-visiting previous destinations. Meeting new people in other states or re-visiting those friends I had met on past trips was amazing! It was mind blowing to me that I could be crossing a desert on Tuesday in one state and up in the mountains on Wednesday in another state. It was also amusing to talk with people who aren't used to seeing a heavily modified vehicle like the FJ was. It was even more amusing when I told them how far I was from home, the places I had already visited, where I was heading to next and pointing out all the dirt/mud from different states.They didn't expect a vehicle like that to travel the country.  Each day was a new adventure. Even if it were a place I had already visited several times, I would find something new to appreciate. Most of the time, I knew where I was going and what I wanted to see, but I was not opposed to letting my A.D.D. lead me on an unexpected adventure. If I saw a sign, object or scenery that looked interesting or shiny, I was there. There were times I stopped for fuel or food and had every expectation of getting back on the road. Before I could, I would strike a conversation with someone who gave me a list of things to see and do in town. Without hesitation, I would modify my plan and go check it out. Case in point, my buddy Kennedy and I drove from Denver, CO to Kansas City, KS for dinner one day because someone said, "Joe's BBQ was good." Update: They're right! I can’t count the times we’d be driving and see a random road or trail and say, “I wonder where that goes”. More times than not, it led to nowhere, but occasionally, it would lead to an amazing view and provided an experience I almost passed up. When I think about how easy it is for us to travel now compared to past times, I feel obligated to get out there and explore. What people gave their time and lives for in the past, we can now see in days. Life on the road and sharing those stories gave me a joy that I can’t explain. Experience and time lead me to realize I wanted more out of a rig. I want something that I can get out there and go where I want, when I want, both on and off road. Something that has enough power and space to comfortably bring gear, supplies and other essentials with me. Something that will bring me back home thousands of miles later and something that’ll look good doing it! My intention and desire is to build the next rig so it is more suited for long distance adventures versus off road park adventures. I would say it'll be more of an “Over Land" style rig. In my opinion, there isn’t much difference in those two types of builds. Often times they share the same parts, modifications and characteristics as the other. Usually, both style builds overcome the challenges within those separate environments equally. So if they’re pretty much the same thing, why do I separate the two builds? The reason is, it helps to define my intentions, expectations and what I’m looking for in a replacement rig. Also, it helps me determine a priority of modifications and what should be done first to accomplish those type of adventures.  Here is a list of possible replacement rigs for the FJ. Since I don’t have Oprah money, I need to narrow it down to just one. Let the draft begin! Lexus GX 470 |
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 Wheelbase: 109.8 inches Length: 188.2 inches Width: 74 inches Height: 74.6 inches Interior Head Room: 40.2 inches Front Leg Room: 41.8 inches Curb Weight: 4,871 pounds Turning Radius: 18.7 inches Engine: 4.7-liter V8 Horse Power: 270 (+/-) Torque: 330 (+/-) foot-pounds Towing Capacity: 6,500 pounds Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches Approach Angle: 30° Departure Angle: 29° raised, 25° normal Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallons Fuel Economy: 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway |
Lexus GX 460
2010-2013
Wheelbase: 109.8 inches
Length: 189.2 inches
Width: 74.2 inches
Height: 72.6 inches
Interior Head Room: 38 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 5,305 pounds
Turning Radius: 19 inches
Engine: 4.6-liter V8
Horse Power: 301 (+/-)
Torque: 329 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 6,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches
Approach Angle: 28°
Departure Angle: 29° raised, 25° normal
Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallons
Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway
Length: 189.2 inches
Width: 74.2 inches
Height: 72.6 inches
Interior Head Room: 38 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 5,305 pounds
Turning Radius: 19 inches
Engine: 4.6-liter V8
Horse Power: 301 (+/-)
Torque: 329 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 6,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 8.3 inches
Approach Angle: 28°
Departure Angle: 29° raised, 25° normal
Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallons
Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway
Toyota FJ Cruiser
2010-2014
Wheelbase: 105.9 inches
Length: 183.9 inches
Width: 75 inches
Height: 72 inches
Interior Head Room: 41 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.9 inches
Curb Weight: 4,295 pounds
Turning Radius: 20.4 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 260 (+/-)
Torque: 271 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Approach Angle: 34°
Departure Angle: 31°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gallons
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway
Length: 183.9 inches
Width: 75 inches
Height: 72 inches
Interior Head Room: 41 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.9 inches
Curb Weight: 4,295 pounds
Turning Radius: 20.4 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 260 (+/-)
Torque: 271 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Approach Angle: 34°
Departure Angle: 31°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gallons
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway
Toyota 4 Runner
2010-2015
Wheelbase: 109.8 inches
Length: 189.9 inches
Width: 75.8 inches
Height: 71.5 inches
Interior Head Room: 39 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 4,750 pounds
Turning Radius: 18.7 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 270 (+/-)
Torque: 278 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Approach Angle: 33° (Trail)
Departure Angle: 26° (Trail)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallons
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
Length: 189.9 inches
Width: 75.8 inches
Height: 71.5 inches
Interior Head Room: 39 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 4,750 pounds
Turning Radius: 18.7 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 270 (+/-)
Torque: 278 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Approach Angle: 33° (Trail)
Departure Angle: 26° (Trail)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallons
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
Toyota Tacoma
2010-2015
Wheelbase: 127.2 inches (+/-)
Length: 208.1 inches (double cab, short bed)
Width: 74.6 inches
Height: 70.1 inches
Interior Head Room: 40.2 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 4,160 pounds
Turning Radius: 20.3 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 236 (+/-)
Torque: 266 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 3,500-6,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.3 inches
Approach Angle: 35°
Departure Angle: 25°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gallons
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway
Length: 208.1 inches (double cab, short bed)
Width: 74.6 inches
Height: 70.1 inches
Interior Head Room: 40.2 inches
Front Leg Room: 41.7 inches
Curb Weight: 4,160 pounds
Turning Radius: 20.3 inches
Engine: 4.0-liter V6
Horse Power: 236 (+/-)
Torque: 266 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 3,500-6,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.3 inches
Approach Angle: 35°
Departure Angle: 25°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gallons
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway
Toyota Tundra
2010-2015
Wheelbase: 145.7 inches (+/-)
Length: 228.7 inches (double cab, short bed)
Width: 79.9 inches
Height: 76 inches
Interior Head Room: 40 inches
Front Leg Room: 42.5 inches
Curb Weight: 5,550 pounds
Turning Radius: 22 inches
Engine: 5.7-liter V8
Horse Power: 381 (+/-)
Torque: 401 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 9,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 10.4 inches
Approach Angle: 29°
Departure Angle: 24°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 26.4 gallons
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway
Length: 228.7 inches (double cab, short bed)
Width: 79.9 inches
Height: 76 inches
Interior Head Room: 40 inches
Front Leg Room: 42.5 inches
Curb Weight: 5,550 pounds
Turning Radius: 22 inches
Engine: 5.7-liter V8
Horse Power: 381 (+/-)
Torque: 401 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 9,000 pounds
Ground Clearance: 10.4 inches
Approach Angle: 29°
Departure Angle: 24°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 26.4 gallons
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway
Toyota Land Cruiser
2010-2014
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 194.9 inches
Width: 77.6 inches
Height: 74 inches
Interior Head Room: 38 inches
Front Leg Room: 42.3 inches
Curb Weight: 5,690 pounds
Turning Radius: 19.4 inches
Engine: 5.7-liter V8
Horse Power: 381 (+/-)
Torque: 401 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 8,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 8.9 inches
Approach Angle: 30°
Departure Angle: 20°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 25.4 gallons
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway
Length: 194.9 inches
Width: 77.6 inches
Height: 74 inches
Interior Head Room: 38 inches
Front Leg Room: 42.3 inches
Curb Weight: 5,690 pounds
Turning Radius: 19.4 inches
Engine: 5.7-liter V8
Horse Power: 381 (+/-)
Torque: 401 (+/-) foot-pounds
Towing Capacity: 8,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 8.9 inches
Approach Angle: 30°
Departure Angle: 20°
Fuel Tank Capacity: 25.4 gallons
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway
Participate in the 2017 Rig Draft poll!
The Roll Over
In case you didn't know, there is a really good reason why we are replacing the FJ. It all started with a three hour tour where we became stranded on a desert island and ended with us having a volleyball for a lousy friend.
...I may have remembered that wrong. In any case, if you want to read about it, click here: Roll Over Article
...I may have remembered that wrong. In any case, if you want to read about it, click here: Roll Over Article
More to Follow...
I am currently working on more information to help make my decision. This information will take into consideration the cost of the vehicle, desired modification and pros/cons based on what I'm looking for in the next rig. Once I finish that information, I will update this article.
Please feel free to get involved in the discussion by adding your opinion or questions in the comment section on the bottom of this page.
Please feel free to get involved in the discussion by adding your opinion or questions in the comment section on the bottom of this page.
Available Vehicle Information Sheets
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| 2009 Land Cruiser.pdf |
Vehicle information and specifications are from the following model years: | Vehicle Information Sheets used for this article: |
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Sources: AutoBlog.com / Wikipedia.org / Toyota.com / Pressroom.Toyota.com / Google.com
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The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone.
-Bourn Adventure
Author: Baker
-Bourn Adventure
Author: Baker
On January 4, 2017, while crossing near Ontario, OR on our way back to Louisiana, we encountered a mighty snowstorm. Weather conditions rapidly changed for the worse, visibility was next to nothing and the roads quickly iced over.
This seemed to have happened within minutes. The weather and roads changed so fast that a few miles before I was cruising at approximately 60 miles per hour in 2-wheel drive without any issues or concerns. As we approached a hill, we noticed the conditions began to change. As a precaution, I slowed down to about 45 miles per hour and focused on driving. Once we crested the top of the hill, we noticed other vehicles slipping and sliding on the roadway and a semi truck in the ditch ahead of us.
After reaching the top, I felt the rear end break loose and begin to fishtail. Knowing that heavy breaking and ice don’t make for the best combination, I began downshifting. The fishtail continued to get worse and I was in the process of putting it into 4-wheel drive when the FJ slid sideways and drifted a lane.
The driver's side tires bit and caused us to roll off the road, into the ditch/median dividing the north and southbound lanes of I 84. As we rolled, I heard two loud “pops” in quick succession. This was the side curtain airbags deploying closely followed by the front windshield breaking. Luckily for us, the FJ only rolled once and there were several feet of snow on the ground to help soften the impact.
This seemed to have happened within minutes. The weather and roads changed so fast that a few miles before I was cruising at approximately 60 miles per hour in 2-wheel drive without any issues or concerns. As we approached a hill, we noticed the conditions began to change. As a precaution, I slowed down to about 45 miles per hour and focused on driving. Once we crested the top of the hill, we noticed other vehicles slipping and sliding on the roadway and a semi truck in the ditch ahead of us.
After reaching the top, I felt the rear end break loose and begin to fishtail. Knowing that heavy breaking and ice don’t make for the best combination, I began downshifting. The fishtail continued to get worse and I was in the process of putting it into 4-wheel drive when the FJ slid sideways and drifted a lane.
The driver's side tires bit and caused us to roll off the road, into the ditch/median dividing the north and southbound lanes of I 84. As we rolled, I heard two loud “pops” in quick succession. This was the side curtain airbags deploying closely followed by the front windshield breaking. Luckily for us, the FJ only rolled once and there were several feet of snow on the ground to help soften the impact.
One thing I’ve learned due to my background and some of the neat places I’ve worked is staying calm in high-stress situations can make the difference between life or death. Not saying that at that moment we were at risk of dying, but poor decisions made from that point forward could lead to injuries or possibly even death.
In high-stress situations staying calm helps decisions to be made based on rational thought versus making them out of confusion, fear or panic. Staying calm in high-stress situations or chaotic environments isn’t always easy because our bodies have built in mechanisms to helps us focus on threats/dangers and survive in those type of situations.
Adrenaline is one of those mechanisms. It is a great tool to help a person stay alive or find the strength they never knew they had. Although adrenaline is good, in my opinion, and experiences, it can also work against you if you let it. Once it kicks in, your heart rate, breathing, and overall focus change. You can fall victim to "tunnel vision" and it can become difficult to make informed, rational decisions because your brain and body start to work on training, instinct or lack thereof.
For me, a way to help my brain get back on track in these type of situations is taking a big, deep breath and telling myself to “calm the F*CK down”. Now obviously you don’t need to say the “F” word, but for me it helps to convey the importance of calming down and sometimes, it’s liberating to drop an F-Bomb. When I take a big, deep breath, it allows more oxygen back into my body. By doing this, it helps reduce my heart rate slightly, opens up the world around me (tunnel vision is reduced) and focuses my mind on what tasks need to be accomplished next.
As we sat upside down in the FJ, being held in place by our seat belts, I took a big, deep breath and told myself to “calm the F*CK down”. I did a quick assessment of the overall situation. Some of the things I was looking/listening/smelling for were:
I asked Ashlie if she was ok. She responded “yes”, she followed that up with “I’m so glad you strapped everything down!” Since everything was strapped down, we avoided any possible secondary injuries from large objects being tossed around during the rollover.
Let's back up for second and review the part where I strapped everything down. I am one of those guys that try to be prepared for everything. I’m also of the mindset, that it’s better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.
Over the years, I have added tie down points everywhere in the back of the FJ to include, the top of the cargo box. My loving wife would give me crap for taking so much time loading the FJ and making sure everything was secure. I was like the Rain Man of strapping luggage/cargo down.
In high-stress situations staying calm helps decisions to be made based on rational thought versus making them out of confusion, fear or panic. Staying calm in high-stress situations or chaotic environments isn’t always easy because our bodies have built in mechanisms to helps us focus on threats/dangers and survive in those type of situations.
Adrenaline is one of those mechanisms. It is a great tool to help a person stay alive or find the strength they never knew they had. Although adrenaline is good, in my opinion, and experiences, it can also work against you if you let it. Once it kicks in, your heart rate, breathing, and overall focus change. You can fall victim to "tunnel vision" and it can become difficult to make informed, rational decisions because your brain and body start to work on training, instinct or lack thereof.
For me, a way to help my brain get back on track in these type of situations is taking a big, deep breath and telling myself to “calm the F*CK down”. Now obviously you don’t need to say the “F” word, but for me it helps to convey the importance of calming down and sometimes, it’s liberating to drop an F-Bomb. When I take a big, deep breath, it allows more oxygen back into my body. By doing this, it helps reduce my heart rate slightly, opens up the world around me (tunnel vision is reduced) and focuses my mind on what tasks need to be accomplished next.
As we sat upside down in the FJ, being held in place by our seat belts, I took a big, deep breath and told myself to “calm the F*CK down”. I did a quick assessment of the overall situation. Some of the things I was looking/listening/smelling for were:
- Signs of life
- Blood
- Any visible injuries
- Any signs of discomfort that could be associated with internal injuries
- Objects that could fall or shift
- Horns or other noises that could signify other accidents happening
- Other noises that aren't normal
- Gas or other flammable fluids
I asked Ashlie if she was ok. She responded “yes”, she followed that up with “I’m so glad you strapped everything down!” Since everything was strapped down, we avoided any possible secondary injuries from large objects being tossed around during the rollover.
Let's back up for second and review the part where I strapped everything down. I am one of those guys that try to be prepared for everything. I’m also of the mindset, that it’s better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.
Over the years, I have added tie down points everywhere in the back of the FJ to include, the top of the cargo box. My loving wife would give me crap for taking so much time loading the FJ and making sure everything was secure. I was like the Rain Man of strapping luggage/cargo down.
As we hung upside, a little smirk came across my face when I heard her say those words. I knew I did good, even though I had just rolled the FJ. I think we both learned something in that moment. Ashlie learned that I really like the movie Rain Man and I learned how important it is not to listen to your wife…I mean, not to be lazy when packing a vehicle.
After checking on Ashlie, I gave myself a quick once over. I knew the next thing for us to do was get out of the FJ. Even though it was cold outside and snowing, I decided it wasn’t in our best interest to use the FJ as shelter. The roads were icy and we weren’t that far off the roadway. What I didn’t want to happen was one or more vehicle loose control and crash into the FJ while we were still inside.
The first step, getting out of the seat. I hit the eject button on the seat belt and dropped onto the roof. I told Ashlie it was her turn and down she came. I then deflated and cut the side curtain airbags on the passenger side. I tried opening the door from the inside, but the snow was preventing it from opening enough for us to get out. Next option was to break the window. I keep a glass punch on my visor, but it came off at some point during the rollover. Next option was to use my trusty knife and hit the window in one of the corners.
Before I had a chance to do that, I heard someone outside the vehicle. I noticed the passenger door start to open and a foot clearing snow out of the way. It was a truck driver who saw the FJ upside down, but no one moving around. Thankfully he stopped to help us so we didn’t have to break the window and crawl out, otherwise our hands would have looked like John McClane’s feet!
Once out of the FJ, I called 911 and Ashlie contacted our insurance company. Due to the weather conditions, it took several minutes to give the 911 dispatcher our exact location. I could not see any mile markers around us or any signs. Using my GPS, I was able to tell her what exits we were in-between and large landmarks I could see.
While we were outside waiting for emergency services, we observed several vehicles sliding around the roadway. One of the problems I saw, was us and an 18 wheeler both were in the ditch. Traffic could not see us until they reached the top of the hill. This did not leave them much distance to slow down before reaching our location.
After checking on Ashlie, I gave myself a quick once over. I knew the next thing for us to do was get out of the FJ. Even though it was cold outside and snowing, I decided it wasn’t in our best interest to use the FJ as shelter. The roads were icy and we weren’t that far off the roadway. What I didn’t want to happen was one or more vehicle loose control and crash into the FJ while we were still inside.
The first step, getting out of the seat. I hit the eject button on the seat belt and dropped onto the roof. I told Ashlie it was her turn and down she came. I then deflated and cut the side curtain airbags on the passenger side. I tried opening the door from the inside, but the snow was preventing it from opening enough for us to get out. Next option was to break the window. I keep a glass punch on my visor, but it came off at some point during the rollover. Next option was to use my trusty knife and hit the window in one of the corners.
Before I had a chance to do that, I heard someone outside the vehicle. I noticed the passenger door start to open and a foot clearing snow out of the way. It was a truck driver who saw the FJ upside down, but no one moving around. Thankfully he stopped to help us so we didn’t have to break the window and crawl out, otherwise our hands would have looked like John McClane’s feet!
Once out of the FJ, I called 911 and Ashlie contacted our insurance company. Due to the weather conditions, it took several minutes to give the 911 dispatcher our exact location. I could not see any mile markers around us or any signs. Using my GPS, I was able to tell her what exits we were in-between and large landmarks I could see.
While we were outside waiting for emergency services, we observed several vehicles sliding around the roadway. One of the problems I saw, was us and an 18 wheeler both were in the ditch. Traffic could not see us until they reached the top of the hill. This did not leave them much distance to slow down before reaching our location.
I carry several things in the FJ to help make us more noticeable in the event of an emergency. A few of those things being:
Lucky for us, a guy stopped and said we could use his truck for shelter until help arrived. Before I would let Ashlie (who isn’t a fan of cold weather) seek refuge, I asked her to take a picture of me standing on the FJ in my Chive shirt. Never miss a photo op! KCCO
- Small military strobe light
- Small VS-17 panel
- Road flares
Lucky for us, a guy stopped and said we could use his truck for shelter until help arrived. Before I would let Ashlie (who isn’t a fan of cold weather) seek refuge, I asked her to take a picture of me standing on the FJ in my Chive shirt. Never miss a photo op! KCCO
It didn’t take long for an Oregon State Trooper and a tow truck to arrive. Once the tow truck driver recovered the FJ and loaded it up, we were good to go. Both the tow truck driver and the State Trooper were kind enough to offer us a ride to a hotel. We decided to take the tow truck driver up on his offer, that way we could get our bags out of the FJ. The State Trooper and tow truck driver were very kind and professional. They obviously knew Ashlie and I were from out of town and did everything in their power to make the overall experience as easy and stress-free as possible. Thank you, gentlemen!
The State Trooper, tow truck driver and other people who stopped to check if we were ok, noticed some of the interesting stickers I had on the FJ that you could read really well when the vehicle is upside down. I had one on the skid plates that said "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!" and a Problems/No Problems sticker on the back window. Several years ago I added the Problems/No Problems sticker because I thought it was amusing. After almost flopping the FJ onto its roof while on a trail in Texas last year (2016), I came up with the "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!". I never really wanted to see how those decals looked on the FJ while it was upside down, but I did. I gotta say, they looked great! The best way to promote a product you make is to show it off and that's just what we did that day. The "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real" decal is product tested and roll over approved!
If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to sell more of the "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!" decal by dragging this shameless promotion out as long as I can....buy the "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!" decal...
If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to sell more of the "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!" decal by dragging this shameless promotion out as long as I can....buy the "If You Can Read This, Sh!t Just Got Real!" decal...
The following day, we started making phone calls to vehicle rental companies and towing services. The insurance company informed us it could take up to five days before they could get an insurance adjuster out to our location. We couldn’t wait five days and I wanted to get the FJ back home for a proper burial. We would either have to trailer the FJ back or have it towed back. I contacted several towing services to get quotes. The cheapest quote was about $1,800. I figured I could do it a lot cheaper by renting a truck and trailer.
There were a U-Haul and Enterprise rental facility near our hotel. I contacted U-Haul first to see if I could rent a full vehicle trailer and truck. U-haul stated, vehicle trailers and box trucks are good for a one-way rental, but their pickup trucks are not. I would have to either rent a large box truck to tow the trailer with or rent a pickup truck, drop the FJ off and then drive it back to Oregon .
There were a U-Haul and Enterprise rental facility near our hotel. I contacted U-Haul first to see if I could rent a full vehicle trailer and truck. U-haul stated, vehicle trailers and box trucks are good for a one-way rental, but their pickup trucks are not. I would have to either rent a large box truck to tow the trailer with or rent a pickup truck, drop the FJ off and then drive it back to Oregon .
I contacted Enterprise next. What I didn’t realize was they have two divisions. One for regular vehicle rentals (cannot tow) and one for truck rentals (can tow). Both allow for one-way rentals. The nearest truck rental facility was in Boise, ID, which was several hours from our location. My plan was to walk to Enterprise in town (about 3 miles), rent a car and drive to Boise, ID. From there, I’d rent a truck and drive back to load the FJ on the trailer.
As luck would have it, once I reached the Enterprise rental place in town, they happened to have the exact type of truck I needed (4x4 Dodge 2500). Apparently, the guy who rented it was unable to make it to Boise, ID so he dropped it off at that location shortly before I got there.
I drove back to the hotel like a boss, picked Ashlie up and then we went shopping for supplies. We bought several large straps to secure the FJ, a few tarps, and candy. Next stop was U-Haul. A large amount of snow dropped on the town from the storm which made it challenging for us to get out with the trailer.
The original plan was for us to pick up the trailer and head to the salvage yard where the FJ would be loaded onto our trailer using their tow truck. Like I said, the snow made it difficult. I ended up getting the truck and trailer stuck in U-Haul's driveway.
The tow truck driver was kind enough to load the FJ up, drive out to our location and pull us out. Once he finished recovering the second vehicle of ours, he loaded the FJ onto our trailer.
As luck would have it, once I reached the Enterprise rental place in town, they happened to have the exact type of truck I needed (4x4 Dodge 2500). Apparently, the guy who rented it was unable to make it to Boise, ID so he dropped it off at that location shortly before I got there.
I drove back to the hotel like a boss, picked Ashlie up and then we went shopping for supplies. We bought several large straps to secure the FJ, a few tarps, and candy. Next stop was U-Haul. A large amount of snow dropped on the town from the storm which made it challenging for us to get out with the trailer.
The original plan was for us to pick up the trailer and head to the salvage yard where the FJ would be loaded onto our trailer using their tow truck. Like I said, the snow made it difficult. I ended up getting the truck and trailer stuck in U-Haul's driveway.
The tow truck driver was kind enough to load the FJ up, drive out to our location and pull us out. Once he finished recovering the second vehicle of ours, he loaded the FJ onto our trailer.
I spent the next hour or so strapping the FJ to the trailer and preparing it for the 2,000-mile journey back to Louisiana. While I was doing that, Ashlie was in charge of making sure the heated seats in the Dodge were properly working.
After loading everything up, we hit the road. Our route back would take us through Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and finally Louisiana. It was slow going for the first two days due to road and weather conditions. At one point, while crossing through a part of Wyoming, traffic was doing about 15-20 mph with only one lane open for 100 miles or so.
After loading everything up, we hit the road. Our route back would take us through Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and finally Louisiana. It was slow going for the first two days due to road and weather conditions. At one point, while crossing through a part of Wyoming, traffic was doing about 15-20 mph with only one lane open for 100 miles or so.
We had the opportunity to meet up with the Venture Overland crew in Denver, CO for a hearty breakfast. It was great to see them again and do one last meet with the FJ, even if she was on a trailer. Before leaving the meet, the Venture Overland crew and I decided the Dodge was missing something so they threw one of their stickers on there. Whenever given the chance, you should always sticker the rental! #StickertheRental
Ashlie and I learned, when you roll a vehicle, things just randomly get lost. One of those things was her deodorant. It was in her purse and decided to liberate itself while we were busy testing gravity.
The days following the rollover, we searched the FJ in all the normal places you'd look for something. We never found it. I just figured it went to that magical place socks go after putting them in the dryer.
I told Ashlie we could buy her another deodorant and she hesitantly refused. She said that was her lucky deodorant and she wouldn't stop till she found it. She said something about having a particular set of skills finding things. That's what we get for always watching the movie Taken...Good thing we don't watch the Saw movies or I have a feeling we'd be playing some stupid games.
As we pulled into a truck stop for fuel, Ashlie said she was going to look in the FJ again for her deodorant. She said she found a clue while looking at pictures. On my way back to the truck, I heard her yell, "Hooray! I found it". Of course, I had no idea what she was talking about because I had already forgotten our conversation. Typical guy thing.
Low and behold, she located her lucky deodorant stick in between the drivers side sun visor and headliner. She was my Liam Neeson, but not in a weird way. I've got to admit, that deodorant plays a mean game of hide-and-seek. Side note, I was very glad she found it because she needed it. Don't tell her I said that.
The days following the rollover, we searched the FJ in all the normal places you'd look for something. We never found it. I just figured it went to that magical place socks go after putting them in the dryer.
I told Ashlie we could buy her another deodorant and she hesitantly refused. She said that was her lucky deodorant and she wouldn't stop till she found it. She said something about having a particular set of skills finding things. That's what we get for always watching the movie Taken...Good thing we don't watch the Saw movies or I have a feeling we'd be playing some stupid games.
As we pulled into a truck stop for fuel, Ashlie said she was going to look in the FJ again for her deodorant. She said she found a clue while looking at pictures. On my way back to the truck, I heard her yell, "Hooray! I found it". Of course, I had no idea what she was talking about because I had already forgotten our conversation. Typical guy thing.
Low and behold, she located her lucky deodorant stick in between the drivers side sun visor and headliner. She was my Liam Neeson, but not in a weird way. I've got to admit, that deodorant plays a mean game of hide-and-seek. Side note, I was very glad she found it because she needed it. Don't tell her I said that.
On our way home, Ashlie and I had lots of interesting conversations and even questioned parts of the rollover.
Some of those questions came about when I was trying to figure out what I could have done differently to avoid pulling a 4G inverted dive in the FJ like my man Maverick did in Top Gun.
Somehow, these questions led to our patch collection on the headliner in the FJ. Most of our patches come from places we've visited, off road clubs we've met up with, patches from when I was in the Military or patches we have designed and sell in our store. I would estimate there were more than 70 patches up there.
Collecting patches and placing them on the headliner has become pretty popular in the off-road community over the last few years. There are several ways people attach the patches to their headliner. Some of the more popular methods are using velcro on the back of the patch or using push pins to hold them in place. To read about our patch story, please click here: The Patch Game
I use velcro on the back of mine. Works great, but occasionally, a patch will drop from the roof and hit one of us. Usually, when this happens, it scares the ever living crap out of whoever it hits!
- Ashlie: "Remember when we'd be driving the FJ and a patch would randomly fall from the roof and scare the crap out of us?"
- Me: "Do you think we scared the crap out of the patches when we rolled the FJ and fell on them?"
Some of those questions came about when I was trying to figure out what I could have done differently to avoid pulling a 4G inverted dive in the FJ like my man Maverick did in Top Gun.
Somehow, these questions led to our patch collection on the headliner in the FJ. Most of our patches come from places we've visited, off road clubs we've met up with, patches from when I was in the Military or patches we have designed and sell in our store. I would estimate there were more than 70 patches up there.
Collecting patches and placing them on the headliner has become pretty popular in the off-road community over the last few years. There are several ways people attach the patches to their headliner. Some of the more popular methods are using velcro on the back of the patch or using push pins to hold them in place. To read about our patch story, please click here: The Patch Game
I use velcro on the back of mine. Works great, but occasionally, a patch will drop from the roof and hit one of us. Usually, when this happens, it scares the ever living crap out of whoever it hits!
- Ashlie: "Remember when we'd be driving the FJ and a patch would randomly fall from the roof and scare the crap out of us?"
- Me: "Do you think we scared the crap out of the patches when we rolled the FJ and fell on them?"
Speaking of patches, we have one to commemorate the time I parked the FJ on her roof. Most significant events in life deserve their own sticker or patch. This is one of those moments.
It comes with a velcro backing and ready to be stuck to your headliner. We have worked with our engineers (not real engineers) to develop this patch. We gave it special attributes that could cause it to fall on you while you're driving and give you or your passenger a nice jolt of fear.
To get yours, please click on the picture or link: Keep Calm Roll Over patch
It comes with a velcro backing and ready to be stuck to your headliner. We have worked with our engineers (not real engineers) to develop this patch. We gave it special attributes that could cause it to fall on you while you're driving and give you or your passenger a nice jolt of fear.
To get yours, please click on the picture or link: Keep Calm Roll Over patch
...but wait, there's more!
Our "Never Forget" LIMITED edition patch is now available too!
Click on the picture or the link below to get yours while supplies last.
Product page: Never Forget patch
Click on the picture or the link below to get yours while supplies last.
Product page: Never Forget patch
Back to the story...
While towing the FJ, I could feel how sad she was. In past road trips, she and I would stop to get some nice sunset or sunrise pictures together. The FJ loved being in front of the camera. She always showed her curves off like she was one of those gals on the runway.
I know she didn’t like me taking pictures of her in that condition. She would have rather stood on her own four tires, but deep down, she wasn’t ready to let go yet. After some back and forth discussions, we came to an agreement. I would only take two pictures of the sunrise to her back while she rode her chariot into Valhalla.
Now if you’ll excuse me. I apparently got some dust in my eyes and they’re starting to water…
While towing the FJ, I could feel how sad she was. In past road trips, she and I would stop to get some nice sunset or sunrise pictures together. The FJ loved being in front of the camera. She always showed her curves off like she was one of those gals on the runway.
I know she didn’t like me taking pictures of her in that condition. She would have rather stood on her own four tires, but deep down, she wasn’t ready to let go yet. After some back and forth discussions, we came to an agreement. I would only take two pictures of the sunrise to her back while she rode her chariot into Valhalla.
Now if you’ll excuse me. I apparently got some dust in my eyes and they’re starting to water…
On Sunday, January 8th, we pulled into the driveway at our house. My buddy Tal (fellow FJ owner) was waiting on us to help unload the FJ. We pushed it off the vehicle trailer, unloaded the remaining items into the house and walked around the FJ assessing the damage and grunting.
The FJ gave me a sense of adventure and freedom I hadn't experienced before. It also allowed me to become part of an amazing community of fellow FJ/Toyota owners and offloading enthusiasts.
I wanted to travel this beautiful country of ours and visit as many places as I could. I was fortunate to do just that and had the pleasure of meeting up with so many great people along the way.
Early on I set a goal for myself and the FJ to visit all lower 48 states. The only way to accomplish that was to get out there and Explore America by taking several large road trips.
In October 2016, Ashlie and I planned another road trip, which I would start in December. We named this road trip, Winter is Coming. Before this last and final adventure, the FJ and I had visited 47 states (some multiple times). I left home December 8th for another adventure.
Little did I know this would be the start of the last and final road trip in the FJ. With only one state left to cross off my list, I made it a priority to visit North Dakota and accomplish my goal. On my way to Washington state, the FJ and I did just that! A few weeks later, the FJ was laying upside down in a ditch.
Winter came and the FJ did her job by keeping Ashlie and me safe. I'm thankful for the friends gained and adventures had while owning the FJ. Never would I have thought a vehicle could impact my life the way the FJ did. I'm sure many of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm glad she hung in there so we could accomplish our goal of hitting all lower 48 states. I estimate that we traveled about 70,000 plus miles on road trips together.
I will set the same goal for the next vehicle. If I flip that vehicle shortly after visiting all lower 48 states, then I'll stop using that as a goal.
I wanted to travel this beautiful country of ours and visit as many places as I could. I was fortunate to do just that and had the pleasure of meeting up with so many great people along the way.
Early on I set a goal for myself and the FJ to visit all lower 48 states. The only way to accomplish that was to get out there and Explore America by taking several large road trips.
In October 2016, Ashlie and I planned another road trip, which I would start in December. We named this road trip, Winter is Coming. Before this last and final adventure, the FJ and I had visited 47 states (some multiple times). I left home December 8th for another adventure.
Little did I know this would be the start of the last and final road trip in the FJ. With only one state left to cross off my list, I made it a priority to visit North Dakota and accomplish my goal. On my way to Washington state, the FJ and I did just that! A few weeks later, the FJ was laying upside down in a ditch.
Winter came and the FJ did her job by keeping Ashlie and me safe. I'm thankful for the friends gained and adventures had while owning the FJ. Never would I have thought a vehicle could impact my life the way the FJ did. I'm sure many of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm glad she hung in there so we could accomplish our goal of hitting all lower 48 states. I estimate that we traveled about 70,000 plus miles on road trips together.
I will set the same goal for the next vehicle. If I flip that vehicle shortly after visiting all lower 48 states, then I'll stop using that as a goal.
Even though it sucks rolling a vehicle, especially 2,000 miles away from home, I’m grateful it happened when and where it did. My reasoning is:
Maybe this happened because it was time for something new, maybe Ashlie and I need something to bring us even closer, maybe to prove that I do all my own stunts, maybe to tell a story that might help someone else down the road or maybe just because that’s life. Whatever the reason, I’m glad it played out the way it did.
Since the roll over till now, I have had a decent amount of time to think about the accident and discuss it with others. I have had some interesting conversations with people and some less interesting conversations with myself regarding the accident and what I could have done better to prevent it from happening. Since I plan on doing future winter road trips, I think it would be beneficial to me, my wife or other passengers who might travel with me if I did an assessment or review of the accident.
In the military, we would call this an After Action Review (A.A.R.). The point of this type of review is to identify and analyze what was supposed to happen, what actually happened and how it could have been done better. Once you have those hard point identified, you figure out what went well (sustained) and what did not go well (improve). Normally, an A.A.R. is done immediately after, but I have been lazy.
Something I learned early on in my military career is constructive criticism is a good thing and has to be taken without anger. Important lessons can be learned by taking responsibility for your actions and admitting your mistakes. That's hard to do because we don't like being told we messed up or that we were wrong. For me, the easiest way I learned to accept this was to realize we are humans and humans make mistakes. Oh, and push-ups, lots and lots of push-ups.
The whole point of doing this review is so the next operation, training exercise or military movement is more successful. The best part about an A.A.R. is it's not specific to just an operation or the military. It can be applied to everyday life. Most large corporations us this in their business. They might give it a different name, but the basic principle remains the same. Most of us already do some form of this weather we know it or not (conscious or subconscious).
Without any further delay, let's dive into the A.A.R.
What was supposed to happen: Ashlie and I were to travel from Washington State to Colorado Springs, CO and spend a few days visiting the Garden of the Gods area.
What actually happened: I rolled the FJ in Ontario, OR while on our way to Colorado Springs, CO.
Three sustains:
1: Remained calm, which allowed for easier management of the situation
2: All cargo (including Ashlie and I) were buckled in/strapped down which helped to prevent secondary injuries
3: "Emergency funds" were built into the trip budget during planning which made dealing with an emergency much easier and helped to reduce stress
Three improves:
1: Better placement of emergency supplies, which can be accessed no matter what the vehicle orientation/condition might be
2: Reduce speed to a much safer and more manageable rate while traveling through adverse weather conditions.
3: Have a minimum of three days worth of emergency supplies (food, water, medical, ect) on board in the event a similar situation occurs in a rural area
What was learned:
I let my pride get the best of me. I should have been driving slower and put it in four-wheel drive. Even though in the past I had successfully driven in two-wheel drive in similar or worse conditions, did not mean I would have been successful that time. I should always error on the side of caution. Making it to the destination safe is more important than time or pride.
I would blame the roll over on my own actions versus equipment or weather conditions. Certainly, weather and other things were a factor, but my negligence in not properly accessing the situation was the deciding factor in my opinion.
One of the more controversial topics when discussing the rollover has been tires. At the time of the accident, I was running Nitto Trail Grapplers (295/70/17) which are classified as more of a mud tire. They perform decent in snow and ice, but excel in mud or dirt.
For several years, the Nitto Trail Grappler has been my tire of chose. I found them to be a great all around tire which has served me well on long road trips where I would find myself in deferent environments (snow, mud, sand, dirt, ect).
*To read our Nitto Trail Grappler tire review article, please click: HERE
Some people living up north switch to a snow tire during the winter which makes sense due to the amount of snow and ice they get. For us living down south, we normally stick to one type of tire year round because we very rarely have to deal with snow or ice.
On winter road trips I deliberately select my routes to take me through the mountains. I love the scenery and atmosphere in those small towns during the winter. Typically, the mountain excursions are a small part of the road trip. On my way back home, I'll take a southern route and normally ride the coast down from Washington state to California and make a left to Louisiana.
Since I found myself in non-snow type climates for most of the winter adventures, I decided not to invest in a dedicated set of snow tire for those road trips. I did not think it was necessary for the limited amount of snow driving I do on the trips. I still feel this way, but plan on giving the issue more thought and it could possible change in the future.
In conclusion, I refer back to my earlier statement of not blaming my equipment for the accident. It is my opinion, the tires did not cause the accident. Certainly, having a dedicated snow tire would have helped, but I believe it was driver error more than equipment failure.
- It was daylight when we rolled
- We had cell phone service
- It happened just outside of a town that had hotels
- Places to eat within walking distance of our hotel
- Rental car and a U-Haul location within walking distance
- The towing company’s yard was just down the road from the U-Haul location
- Because we were outside of town, emergency services were quick to respond
Maybe this happened because it was time for something new, maybe Ashlie and I need something to bring us even closer, maybe to prove that I do all my own stunts, maybe to tell a story that might help someone else down the road or maybe just because that’s life. Whatever the reason, I’m glad it played out the way it did.
Since the roll over till now, I have had a decent amount of time to think about the accident and discuss it with others. I have had some interesting conversations with people and some less interesting conversations with myself regarding the accident and what I could have done better to prevent it from happening. Since I plan on doing future winter road trips, I think it would be beneficial to me, my wife or other passengers who might travel with me if I did an assessment or review of the accident.
In the military, we would call this an After Action Review (A.A.R.). The point of this type of review is to identify and analyze what was supposed to happen, what actually happened and how it could have been done better. Once you have those hard point identified, you figure out what went well (sustained) and what did not go well (improve). Normally, an A.A.R. is done immediately after, but I have been lazy.
Something I learned early on in my military career is constructive criticism is a good thing and has to be taken without anger. Important lessons can be learned by taking responsibility for your actions and admitting your mistakes. That's hard to do because we don't like being told we messed up or that we were wrong. For me, the easiest way I learned to accept this was to realize we are humans and humans make mistakes. Oh, and push-ups, lots and lots of push-ups.
The whole point of doing this review is so the next operation, training exercise or military movement is more successful. The best part about an A.A.R. is it's not specific to just an operation or the military. It can be applied to everyday life. Most large corporations us this in their business. They might give it a different name, but the basic principle remains the same. Most of us already do some form of this weather we know it or not (conscious or subconscious).
Without any further delay, let's dive into the A.A.R.
What was supposed to happen: Ashlie and I were to travel from Washington State to Colorado Springs, CO and spend a few days visiting the Garden of the Gods area.
What actually happened: I rolled the FJ in Ontario, OR while on our way to Colorado Springs, CO.
Three sustains:
1: Remained calm, which allowed for easier management of the situation
2: All cargo (including Ashlie and I) were buckled in/strapped down which helped to prevent secondary injuries
3: "Emergency funds" were built into the trip budget during planning which made dealing with an emergency much easier and helped to reduce stress
Three improves:
1: Better placement of emergency supplies, which can be accessed no matter what the vehicle orientation/condition might be
2: Reduce speed to a much safer and more manageable rate while traveling through adverse weather conditions.
3: Have a minimum of three days worth of emergency supplies (food, water, medical, ect) on board in the event a similar situation occurs in a rural area
What was learned:
I let my pride get the best of me. I should have been driving slower and put it in four-wheel drive. Even though in the past I had successfully driven in two-wheel drive in similar or worse conditions, did not mean I would have been successful that time. I should always error on the side of caution. Making it to the destination safe is more important than time or pride.
I would blame the roll over on my own actions versus equipment or weather conditions. Certainly, weather and other things were a factor, but my negligence in not properly accessing the situation was the deciding factor in my opinion.
One of the more controversial topics when discussing the rollover has been tires. At the time of the accident, I was running Nitto Trail Grapplers (295/70/17) which are classified as more of a mud tire. They perform decent in snow and ice, but excel in mud or dirt.
For several years, the Nitto Trail Grappler has been my tire of chose. I found them to be a great all around tire which has served me well on long road trips where I would find myself in deferent environments (snow, mud, sand, dirt, ect).
*To read our Nitto Trail Grappler tire review article, please click: HERE
Some people living up north switch to a snow tire during the winter which makes sense due to the amount of snow and ice they get. For us living down south, we normally stick to one type of tire year round because we very rarely have to deal with snow or ice.
On winter road trips I deliberately select my routes to take me through the mountains. I love the scenery and atmosphere in those small towns during the winter. Typically, the mountain excursions are a small part of the road trip. On my way back home, I'll take a southern route and normally ride the coast down from Washington state to California and make a left to Louisiana.
Since I found myself in non-snow type climates for most of the winter adventures, I decided not to invest in a dedicated set of snow tire for those road trips. I did not think it was necessary for the limited amount of snow driving I do on the trips. I still feel this way, but plan on giving the issue more thought and it could possible change in the future.
In conclusion, I refer back to my earlier statement of not blaming my equipment for the accident. It is my opinion, the tires did not cause the accident. Certainly, having a dedicated snow tire would have helped, but I believe it was driver error more than equipment failure.
Here's to the FJ. You will be missed.
- Please help us reach more people by liking and sharing this article on social media! -
Keep Calm Roll Over Sticker
We had about eleventy billion (math might be off on that) stickers on the FJ. We're fairly certain the FJ was powered and held together by stickers.
According to my research, stickers add horsepower and increase aerodynamics. There is a good chance, the Keep Calm Roll Over sticker is the highest horsepower sticker we've ever released.
Disclaimer: I don't understand Science and could be wrong, but don't let that stand in the way of you buying it!
To get yours, please click here: Keep Calm Roll Over sticker
According to my research, stickers add horsepower and increase aerodynamics. There is a good chance, the Keep Calm Roll Over sticker is the highest horsepower sticker we've ever released.
Disclaimer: I don't understand Science and could be wrong, but don't let that stand in the way of you buying it!
To get yours, please click here: Keep Calm Roll Over sticker
"but did you die?" Sticker
Another classic sticker we had on the FJ was our "but did you die?" I placed this sticker on the dashboard, just in front of the passenger. Sometimes things would get crazy, and my passenger (mainly my wife) decided to voice their opinions.
I needed an easy solution to silence them without words because as we all know, words lead to arguments. After lots of research (watching movies) and science stuff, I came up with a simple saying that was continually in the passenger's field of view.
Once the sticker was in place, silence filled the cabin without me having to say a word. Anytime evasive maneuvers were taken, I would point to the sticker and I would notice them shrug their shoulders and grunt. Timeless sign of defeat! To answer your question, yes I pointed at this sticker while Ashlie and I were upside-down.
To get yours, please click here: "but did you die?"
I needed an easy solution to silence them without words because as we all know, words lead to arguments. After lots of research (watching movies) and science stuff, I came up with a simple saying that was continually in the passenger's field of view.
Once the sticker was in place, silence filled the cabin without me having to say a word. Anytime evasive maneuvers were taken, I would point to the sticker and I would notice them shrug their shoulders and grunt. Timeless sign of defeat! To answer your question, yes I pointed at this sticker while Ashlie and I were upside-down.
To get yours, please click here: "but did you die?"
Bourn Adventure Postcards
| Not only do we document our travels, but we also sell rad stickers, patches, and other products as a way to help others show off their adventures! Going to the mountains? We have a patch for that! Going camping? We have a sticker for that! |  |
Sun beating down on your head? You guessed it; we have a hat for that!
Since we launched our store in 2012, we have shipped products all over the United States and to more than 30 countries. We are blessed to have so many people around the globe rocking Bourn Adventure Gear. We wanted a way to personally thank them for their order.
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected Delicate Arch to be featured as our BA 2018 postcard series #7 and just like other postcards before it, it was a big hit! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
Since we launched our store in 2012, we have shipped products all over the United States and to more than 30 countries. We are blessed to have so many people around the globe rocking Bourn Adventure Gear. We wanted a way to personally thank them for their order.
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected Delicate Arch to be featured as our BA 2018 postcard series #7 and just like other postcards before it, it was a big hit! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
Choosing The Next Rig
Without a doubt, the adventures will continue! Making that statement is the easy part, deciding which rig they will be done in is the difficult part. I have compiled a list of possible suitors. To weigh in on the discussion or voice your opinion, click here: 2017 Rig Draft
The FJ Lives!
The FJ was bought and rebuild by a man who has the technology and know how to do this. That's right, the FJ is alive and well! She is now seeking adventure in another country. To read more about it, please click: HERE
Toyota Trucks & Trails Podcast
I was honored to be a guest again on the Toyota Truck & Trails Podcast. In this episode, we discussed the rollover, possible replacement rigs and what is next for BakesFJ.com.
If you're not familiar with the TT&T Podcast, we would suggest looking into it. They have good topics, they're very knowledgeable and informative and provide a great service for the community. Best of all, it's free to listen!
Big thanks to Jason and Rich for having me back on the show.
Open a cold beer and click on their picture below to get started!
If you're not familiar with the TT&T Podcast, we would suggest looking into it. They have good topics, they're very knowledgeable and informative and provide a great service for the community. Best of all, it's free to listen!
Big thanks to Jason and Rich for having me back on the show.
Open a cold beer and click on their picture below to get started!
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it entertaining. If so, please share it with others and don't forget to leave a comment down below!
The world is a large place, and life is short. Together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone.
-Bourn Adventure
Author: Baker
-Bourn Adventure
Author: Baker
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Authors
Baker and Ashlie are the owners of Bourn Adventure and together they author the majority of the articles and content found here.
Recently, Bourn Adventure has had the pleasure of hosting "Guest Authors" and sharing their adventure for others to experience.
If you have a story you want to share, please contact us and we will be happy to work with you.
Guest Authors
Cheyenne Izaguirre
• A Colorado Christmas
Lee Jones
• Serendipity and the Smell of Beer
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