Cruisin' Montana

[Mike S]

I just returned from a trip to Montana to excersize my dogs and collect avian protein samples. Finally got a picture of my 80...

'96 FZJ80 - locked - with OME suspension, ARB front, Kaymar rear, Hanna sliders, 26 gallon aux fuel tank, rear storage drawer, and a top of the line Alpine stereo - needed for the long highway. Here we are camped near Two Dot, Montana.:gunt:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/438200.jpg

[ChuckB]

very NICE!!

[Brian McVickers]

Great picture!

[njtaco]

I just returned from a trip to Montana to excersize my dogs and collect avian protein samples.

LOL!

[Brian894x4]

Nice set up! I like a lot. :)

[Scott Brady]

Dove?

The cruiser looks great. I dig the color too.

I bet it was nice to take a few days in the mountains.

[adventureduo]

More pics please!

[BajaTaco]

:iagree: That is indeed a sweet ride

[bigreen505]

Great trip, tell us more.

So Mike, we know all about the tents (though that Maggiolina looks like it has a bit of a mattress mod you might need to divulge), but you've been holding out on us about the truck. Spill it, and with pictures please. :elkgrin:

Also, do you have any recommended solutions or procedures for testing the avian protein samples that you would care to divulge? On one trip a friend of a friend brought a propane heated oil bath with a proprietary blend that tested very positively among the assembled focus group (especially after a very hard day of sailing).

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Mike.....

Thanks for sharing the pic!

It's just soooo classic!

A Man and his dog.....his Toyota and Gear.....in the Outback!

That is classic magazine quality advertizing at it's finest!.........:ylsmoke:

Heck......that could even be a beer commercial!..........:beer:

http://www.hunt101.com/img/438200.jpg
.

[upcruiser]

Nice looking rig. Sounds like a good little trip.:iagree:

[Mike S]

Thanks for the kind comments, folks/

A little more detail...

We went to central Montana for Hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse on the 18th, and spent some time with friends in Bozeman, hunted some beautiful country. We did quite well.

The mattress is a featherbed over the standard Maggiolina mattress, and a down bag on top. The truck is one that I bought when I sold my FJ60 earlier this year. It's got most of the whistles and bells you'd want to travel comfortably in the outback.

The avian samples were prepared on a portable device using a carbon residue from mesquite trees, with chunks of alder wood soaked in water. Imagine a dozen and a half partridges in the round, grilled golden brown, with a few bottles of Pinot Noir, roasted winter squash, and salad, followed by sharing a bottle of Calvados, and toasting the trip, the birds, the dogs, all present, and, of course, the beautiful state of Montana.

This was a marketing trip, of course, and we were doing product testing and photos. My companion is a professional photo journalist specializing in outdoor subjects. This is his photo.

I got a cell call on the way home and stopped in Hailey, Idaho, and sold the tent to a fellow who really needed a Maggiolina Grand Tour (small). This provides me an opportunity to put yet another tent on top of the cruiser to 'test'. I really like the 80, and it does the job on and off road.

M


Great trip, tell us more.

So Mike, we know all about the tents (though that Maggiolina looks like it has a bit of a mattress mod you might need to divulge), but you've been holding out on us about the truck. Spill it, and with pictures please. :elkgrin:

Also, do you have any recommended solutions or procedures for testing the avian protein samples that you would care to divulge? On one trip a friend of a friend brought a propane heated oil bath with a proprietary blend that tested very positively among the assembled focus group (especially after a very hard day of sailing).

[Scott Brady]

The avian samples were prepared on a portable device using a carbon residue from mesquite trees, with chunks of alder wood soaked in water. Imagine a dozen and a half partridges in the round, grilled golden brown, with a few bottles of Pinot Noir, roasted winter squash, and salad, followed by sharing a bottle of Calvados, and toasting the trip, the birds, the dogs, all present, and, of course, the beautiful state of Montana.

M

I can easily imagine that... :drool:

[Grouseman]

Mike,

Great pic. Only problem is that dog has a rather long tail.:rolleyes:
Great set-up.


SS

[blupaddler]

Mike

Thanks again for the phone call regarding the tents. (he even called me from a Sat phone, just to make sure all my Q's were answered!)


Question on your aux. tank...Who makes the 26 gallon model? Or is that a custom design?

Drawer system...Did you build? If so, off what design/plans?


Thanks.






EDIT: I don't know how I missed the fact that this thread is a month old.

[locrwln]

Mike

Question on your aux. tank...Who makes the 26 gallon model? Or is that a custom design?

Thanks.

X2

Jack

[TRXRacing]

Sounds like a good time...I need to get back to Montana. I was only 12 when we drove from Seattle to Butte in '98 but was finally able to get my mom to go 100mph. :victory: I can almost taste the elk and rainbow trout..:chowtime:

We had friends in Wise River if you've ever been through there.

[Mike S]

Mike

Thanks again for the phone call regarding the tents. (he even called me from a Sat phone, just to make sure all my Q's were answered!)


Question on your aux. tank...Who makes the 26 gallon model? Or is that a custom design?

Drawer system...Did you build? If so, off what design/plans?


Thanks.

EDIT: I don't know how I missed the fact that this thread is a month old.

I jsut got back from a 6 week trip last Wednesday. Or I would have responded sooner.

The aux tank is an older MAF model imported from Oz. The drawer system was built for me by a friend (a GOOD friend). Same height as the weel wells and fits neatly between them. Dog crates fastened to the carpeted top. Very handy, I keep guns, tools, ammo, dog stuff in the box.

Was a pleasure to talk to you while traveling. Sorry for the connection difficulties, but that's why I carry a cell and a sat phone.

All the best.

[Desertdude]

Looking good Mike! I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and his 80 last year over some mexican food ( has it been that long...)

[Mike S]

Pasquale:

Would like to do it again if you are in the area. Or if I get down towards Sedona. Very enjoyable meeting you for lunch. Need to do something out in the desert, tho'.:victory:

Mike

[Desertdude]

Mex in CA - Count on it... :wavey:

[Mike S]

Shoot me some mail when you're headed this way... and bring the 80 this time. I would like to see it!:yikes:

M

[bootzilla]

That is a great pic - looks like nothing but a great time.

Oh - and you'll be happy to know I am currently enjoying a Red Stripe for you!

[Mike S]

I will be in Jamaica for Christmas this year, and will enjoy a few of Desnoes and Geddes finest. They also now have a LIGHT beer. Go figure.