‘73 International dump truck, but it does appear to be a tad rough

I bought a set of off seasons for my Nissan, mostly due to the temperate climate I live in now (North Carolina). It only really snows a couple times out of the year. Well I decided to visit the folks for Thanksgiving... in Maine, and it's snowing. Honestly, my tires did fine. Took my time in 4WD, and never slipped on…

As a lover of traditional SUVs (just purchased an R51 Pathfinder), this makes me sad. Toyota has proven there is still a dedicated buyer base for such an SUV. The fact Nissan & Chevy have chosen to ignore that market makes me sad. 

I honestly don’t know. Was told this week they are off the shelf Camry SE’s, but I don’t have hands on experience with them myself so.... *shrugs*

Sad Wookie is sad now. 

It almost got axed during that time period. The 2011 model they went hard on with the “off-roader” image and haven’t looked back. They hit a niche the FJ Cruiser was meant to hit and breathed awesome new life into the 4Runner (keep in mind previous generations were more aimed towards families).

What I was thinking. The Xterra was kind of a funky enthusiast design, while the Pathfinder stayed more traditional while still being capable. After just buying an ‘06 Pathfinder, this news just makes me sad. 

Sad. Just bought an ‘06 Pathfinder and I love it. If Toyota can turn the 4Runner around and make it sell, then the market for something that size with that capability is still there. 

Can confirm, the Tracker was awesome. I miss mine

Fun fact, those pace Camrys are hopped up and go pretty quick. Fun to watch them toss them around during the pace car rides. 

A lot of bold claims with the styling/ off road bolt ons

Every road course we are required to have a working wiper motor and rear warning light installed, no matter how slim the chance for rain is. It's up to you whether or not you actually install the wiper arm.

Could be worse, it could have the original Nissan Armada’s roof profile.

Supervisor last year got a Freestyle for cheap at the auto auction, and boy did he use the piss out of it. Now the thing did have alternator issues, but for the most part he always had that thing loaded up with race parts lol.

TThere’s an instructor up at UNOH that got bored and put the running gear out of the front of a s/c Pontiac Grand Prix into the rear of a Festiva. Because, you know, had nothing better to do lol. Anyways. That thing is currently the king of autocross in Northern Ohio.

There’s an art to the tiny box the crews have to work in. Seeing small details like oil tank location (Gibbs at the end of 2017 were raising them back up, opposite of all the other teams), quarter panel shape, intentionally failing window braces, etc. etc. etc. Currently I think the Truck Series is the funnest…

Already costs an insane amount. Roger Penske has gone on record in stating he can run 3 full time IndyCar teams for the cost of 1 NASCAR team. Spending is way out of control in the sport, and NASCAR’s solution of spec parts would work in theory if costs of spec parts weren’t driven up in development.

Like I mentioned the manufacturers do send out the parts, but you are correct they are not stock pieces. 2003-02 was the last year of factory roof IIRC.

Roof and sides come from manufacturer, but they’re stamped steel pieces and the roof has to fit a common template. Manufacturer sends hood and nose molds to a composite company, decklid I believe is a common piece, and tails come from Five Star IIRC. It was right around 2003 NASCAR did away with the factory roof rule.

I will say qualifying tech took FOREVER for cars to get through. You were screwed if you didn’t make it the first time, as the last of the “first timers” rolled through right before qualifying began. I know they want legal cars to come through the first time, but if you make an adjustment after initial tech to try to…