Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

THE MIATA FROM HELL: BOOGER COOKIE TAKES BOZEMAN

Forget the "hairdresser" stereotypes—this 1990s roadster has been resurrected for the apocalypse. Between the massive 32-inch mud terrains, the rugged external exoskeleton, and a custom flatbed that proudly bears the name "Booger Cookie," this NB Miata from Hell is built for pure chaos. It’s a Mad Max-inspired masterpiece that proves one thing: I bet this guy parties.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

THE PLASTIC REVOLUTION: TOYOTA’S LATEST FASHION SHOW

An old man’s take on why a 14-inch tablet and "stealthy" gray paint can’t replace the soul of a real truck. From Everest green to Underground gray, see why I’m sticking with my 80 Series while the rest of the world buys glorified calculators.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

VIEW FROM THE TOP: CARSPOTTING AT HELL’S GATE

Experience the high-stakes theater of Hell’s Gate at Cruise Moab 2026. From the legendary "built not bought" 60 Series Land Cruiser of the Sons of Smokey crew to the absolute madman piloting a JDM Kei truck up the V-notch, the carspotting at the overlook proved that tire placement—and a little bit of guts—is everything.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GARDENER’S TRUCK: THE JDM HILUX SLEEPER

Don't let the modest white paint fool you. This genuine JDM Hilux is a "technical" sleeper, featuring a full solid axle swap, reinforced frame, and blue-ringed beadlocks. It’s an indestructible fourth-gen build that’s only missing one thing: a place to mount the machine gun.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

THE ZIP-TIE ZIPPER: HOW WE SAVED A 60-SERIES WITH RATCHET STRAPS

When you're miles into the trail and your steering fails, you don't call a tow truck—you reach for the gear bag. After Kristian’s 1989 Land Cruiser snapped its drag link, we had to rely on "trail engineering" involving heavy-duty zip ties and ratchet straps. Here is how we managed to limp a 60-Series back to Whitehall with a turning radius that was more of a suggestion than a command.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

THE TOP-DOWN CLUB: DOWNTOWN DRIFTING AND THE GERMAN LS

Spotted: A classic Mercedes R107 SL-Class in downtown Bozeman that breaks every rule in the book. From studded snow tires in the spring to a straight-piped V8 that sounds suspiciously like an American swap, this convertible is pure Montana chaos. When you're in the club, you park next to the other tops-down—IYKYK.

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THE HANDBRAKE HUSTLE: FJ45s AND THE PARKING BRAKE PARADOX

Old steel, seasoned hands, and the ultimate Land Cruiser equalizer: the parking brake. While watching a group of masters wrench on a pair of weathered FJ45s in the Moab dust, I realized that whether you’re driving a vintage workhorse or a modern 80 Series, some mechanical gremlins never change.

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The Six-Figure Dirt Habit

My eyes say "Portal Axles," but my bank account says "OEM floor mats." I’m walking the floor at Cruise Moab 2026 and trying to decide which of these six-figure builds is worth the financial ruin. From LX700s on portals to 200 Series on 40s, here’s why I’m officially living in "Delulu-Land."

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

Cruise Moab 2026: The High-Angle Highlights

From massive wheel stands on the 3D Trail to the white-knuckle fins of Hell’s Revenge, these are the 'money shots' from Cruise Moab 2026. Featuring the best of the slickrock rollercoaster and a massive shoutout to the crews at Overland Cruisers and Cruisers and Company.

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THE SHAKEDOWN RUN: SHOCKS, SPRINGS, AND A DASH OF REVENUE FLATS CHAOS

New shocks, old friends, and questionable speeds. We took the Land Cruiser out to the Tobacco Roots to shake down the new Dobinsons setup. Between dodging Angas’s Land Rover "photo bombs," keeping the dogs warm in the Montana chill, and discovering that 80 MPH on gravel feels a lot like a rally stage, it was a hell of a weekend. From the dive-bar charm of the Pony Bar to the precision rock-stacking at Potosi Hot Springs, here’s how the rig handled the dirt.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

The Ghost of 1989: Why Joe’s Mazda is Giving Me Major Hardbody FOMO

Looking at Joe’s Mazda mini truck parked there, I didn't just see a clean build; I saw a literal time machine. It’s got that stance—that specific, "I can haul a couch or a dirt bike, but I’d rather just cruise" energy—that hit me right in the nostalgia. Specifically, it took me straight back to my old Nissan Hardbody D21.

If you weren't around for the late 80s and early 90s, it’s hard to explain how much the mini truck scene defined "cool." Seeing Joe’s rig, I could almost hear the faint hiss of a cassette tape and smell the high-octane scent of a Montana morning. It was "Genuine for '89," and a reminder that when it comes to style, you should always bet on black

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

Payload of a Backpack: Why This Lifted Smart Car is Pure Chaos

It’s a lift kit, chunky tires, and a winch that wouldn’t pull a tooth—all on a car that looks like a tactical blueberry. This lifted Smart Car has the payload capacity of a backpack and enough audacity to stare down a Land Cruiser. Is it capable? No. Is it legendary? Absolutely.

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High-Dollar Hype vs. Junkyard Jewels: A Week of Boost and Custom Builds

From high-dollar custom buggies with front-and-rear steer to a "Mighty Max" Frankenstein build featuring a Chevy V8 and Dodge axles, this week was a masterclass in off-road creativity. Plus, we take the Mitsubishi Mini Pajero out for a spin to hear its "asthma inhaler" turbo noises and check in on the Blue Rover—which is still better at draining bank accounts than climbing rocks.

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ICE, BOOST, AND ADRENALINE: THE FROST & FURIOUS FINALE

From rally-prepped sleepers to precision-engineered Porsches, the Frost & Furious finale in West Yellowstone was a masterclass in ice-cold adrenaline. Check out the high-speed highlights and the full gallery of studded-tire chaos.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

TERMINATOR X AND THE BOBSLED RUN: PIPESTONE CHAOS

A winter run through Pipestone taking the Ringing Rocks route backwards to Hay Canyon Road. From Terminator X on the cassette deck to Ian’s ‘Cool Runnings’ bobsled descent and George’s massive 100 Series wheel stand, it was a day of controlled chaos and snowy Montana trails.

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MAMMA MIA! THE RED PANTHER OF BOZEMAN: A 1972 DE TOMASO PANTERA

Mamma Mia! Forget your average "muscle car." Seeing this blood-red 1972 De Tomaso Pantera in person is a religious experience. From its razor-sharp "Pre-L" Italian silhouette to its mid-engine Modena soul, this is a masterclass in why the Italians simply do it better. Step inside the wedge that defined an era of automotive passion.

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

The Wedge from Heaven: Seeing the Lancia Stratos at West Yellowstone

Witnessing the wedge that changed rallying forever. From the 1970s World Rally championships to the frozen runways of West Yellowstone Airport, the Lancia Stratos remains the ultimate Italian 'money shot.' Go behind the lens for a look at this purpose-built beast, its Ferrari Dino V6 soul, and the high-speed winter chaos of the first-ever Frost and Furious Snow Rally.

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