Wow, I guess I somehow missed that one. (thread was rockin' pretty quick for a bit)
Appreciate that Bobby. You're absolutely correct, it is more of a practical-built do-it-all rig for some campin' & wheelin' on the go (some of the nerds out there these days like to call it "overlanding" but I don't think much of the term myself... To me it's just camping & wheeling lol). It's all about finding a trail and doin a bit of exploring, be it in the rocks of the high-Sierras, or even something easier like out in Death Valley. The TTB gives it a much nicer ride without it beating you all up (DV is known for some pretty nasty washboard roads).
I haven't been past the Soup Bowl since '03, so it's probably changed a lot (by now they've probably either fenced it off, or dynamited the whole thing given the way things have been going up there the last couple years
).
I still wouldn't mind getting up there again though, even if it's just to witness all the destruction that's taken place (I understand a Subaru Brat can do the Little Sluice now
)