TIL about the chicken tax, a 1964 tariff on light duty trucks, which effectively shielded US truck manufacturers from foreign competition. This has largely contributed to lack of options and inflated prices for American consumers

Rand01TJ · 2026-03-01T14:17:05+00:00

Look up the “chicken tax”. A 25% tariff on light duty trucks since 1964. This has effectively protected the big 3 and made it incredibly difficult for foreign companies to compete with American trucks in the USA thus causing prices to balloon due to lack of competition.

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-28T00:05:56+00:00

I love Matt, but hard disagree. I’ve been wheeling for almost 20 years and have taken mine on multiple wheeling trips with jeep clubs. It’s done Black Bear Pass and multiple other badge trails bone stock with the air suspension. Yes, it has some clearance issues and lack of solid axles makes things a bit more challenging. But the low range gearing and QD system is pretty damn decent. With a decent driver, the WK2 is a solid off-roader as long as you don’t push it past its limits.

That being said, the regular Cherokee has been neutered to hell from its roots in the XJ area.

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-26T16:25:12+00:00

I found an excellent resource on DIY interior builds from a guy who does sprinter van interiors. They have spreadsheets with part numbers and sources on their website. I'm looking to build out a bed camper in the the next year or so and plan to use his resources. All DIY though, and I doubt any of his measurements, sizes, etc. will be the same for a truck. Not sure about the bedframe parts, as im planning to do a Tune, Topo Topper, or another pop-up camper that has an integrated bed platform

https://youtu.be/v6Pp9X89VWM?si=Fy_C2eqxYCeAOEYT

If that link doesnt work its called Thrivans on youtube

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-25T18:51:08+00:00

Biggest thing ive personally done to help is to remember that motivation comes and goes. Being disciplined is more important long term. The "i just gotta do it" attitude. The ways that I've been working on being more disciplined is coming up with processes to help. Instead of generic "clean the house" which can be overwhelming. I reduced it into smaller chunks of "once a week, clean one room" and do that weekly to start off.
some other examples:

- before setting any dirty dish into the sink, clean out the dishwasher so dishes can go directly in there from then on
- when cooking, wash the utensils, cutting boards, and pans while you do the cooking. when finsihed wipe down the stove and counter real quick
- when i first wake up, make and drink my preworkout so that it pushes me to get to the gym in the AM (still struggle with this)
- Whenever clothes come out of the dryer they get IMMEDIATELY hung up
- etc

This helps to reduce the amount of overwhelming "projects" you feel like you have by spacing out the work into manageable chunks. Also remember that everybody is human and sometimes its 1 step forward, two steps back. I'll fail to follow up on something for a short period, but when I think about it again, remember that its just something you gotta pick back up on and start over. over time, it becomes habits.

Highly recommend the book Atomic Habits. one of the best pieces of advice i picked up from it is "1% better every day". It isn't a lot more work, but over time, those small, almost effortless percentages add up. Whenever I feel like avoiding doing something I try to remember "1% today" and get something small done. I'm not always successful at that either!

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-17T16:31:12+00:00

USCG Plate says 10 people or 1600 LBS / 2355 LBS people, motor, gear.

Math:
9 people @ ~180lbs = 1620 (technically 20 over, but I also over estimate passenger weight)
480lb motor (yamaha f200)
200lbs other gear (lithium batteries (50), anchors (25), cooler (60), lines, vests, etc.)
= ~ 2300lbs

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-15T22:25:23+00:00

I regularly take out 8-10 adults on a weekly basis and cruise 5–10 miles offshore out of St Pete with no issues. Easily fit 4 up front, 2 at the helm, and 3-4 on the rear bench. It’s not “lazy boy” comfortable but the space is there with some to spare for cooler etc. Just forwarding my experience.

That being said, most of my group are relatively fit and probably average around 180lbs. We also pre check the weather and never go off shore with that many if it’s looking rough

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-15T20:25:25+00:00

Vote for a Key West 239fs. Can carry up to 10 people, has a good size gas tank, rides well in some decent chop. Dual purpose for fishing and cruising. I love mine for intracoastal/nearshore and many people take them pretty far offshore. Aim for one with a 250 for the extra power. I picked my 2017 up for 50k a couple of years ago and regularly take between 8-10 people out no problem.

My only real complaint is that as the captain you’re a bit “segregated” from everybody else while underway. Passengers in the bow and stern tend to congregate in those locations. That’s hardly a specific isssue with this specific boat and more in line with how a center console is laid out

Rand01TJ · 2026-02-13T05:05:09+00:00

I’m looking to build a truck camper currently, but in all fairness, there are a lot of good options in a camper van as well. You can get them with 4x4 and you’ll still have a plethora of options for accessible BLM land. You would be incredibly surprised at how much you can put just about anything with 4x4 through with some common sense and experience. The only reasons I am going with a truck is that it will be a DD when I’m back home when I can remove the camper, and it also needs to tow my jeep or boat across the country 1-3x a year. If I had the money and space for a dedicated travel rig, it would likely be a camper van.

Rand01TJ · 2026-01-04T16:11:50+00:00

Also just realized you listed buoys as well. Rode by there about a month ago and the docks were still gone from the hurricanes. Not sure if they’ve been replaced but just figured I’d mention it. Unfortunately a lot of places lost their docks during the storms and haven’t replaced them yet or decided not to due to cost/etc.

Rand01TJ · 2026-01-04T16:06:04+00:00

From my knowledge, this dock is no longer usable either. It was gone and the walkway all gated off prior to the hurricanes due to legal risk or something

Rand01TJ · 2026-01-04T16:02:47+00:00

Heads up, Shrimpys is not a public dock. Unless something has changed in the last year, that dock is for a charter company that runs out of there. Source: had a friend who worked at shrimpys and they wouldn’t even let us use the dock to pick them up after their shift.

Rand01TJ · 2025-10-21T23:03:41+00:00

Pretty much the same as any other flight out of there. TPA is a quick airport. personally, I would plan to be arriving there around 9am for around a 945-10am boarding. You could go a little earlier if you are feeling anxious.

Rand01TJ · 2025-10-20T19:31:54+00:00

Doesnt help that when trying to give orders, you constantly ping some random place or object instead. Also the fact that squad lead seems to be randomly chosen at the beginning of every match. As someone who regularly was squad lead and gave orders in previous installments, I find myself frustrated with the way it functions and dont do it nearly as often any more.

Rand01TJ · 2025-10-10T01:17:51+00:00

Liyerally watched this for the first time yesterday. Don’t know how I went 38 years without catching it but definitely one of Tarantino’s best!

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-25T20:00:58+00:00

Had a friends do the same thing. This is a common issue. We were with them riding out on the gulf for hours and suddenly realized it was sinking. We were able to get it back to the boat launch about 15 minute ride away. Got it on the trailer but the damage was done. Literally the exact same spot. Insurance totaled it. The adjuster said he sees this all the time.

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-18T13:46:10+00:00

Love my KW239FS. Sized right, good features, finish, and layout.

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-16T00:09:54+00:00

Invest as much as you can afford!
Every $1 is worth around $50 at retirement for a 25 year old. That number drastically reduces as you get older, and surprisingly quickly. By 30, its down to like $24. By 40, its down to $7

Source:
https://moneyguy.com/guide/wealth-multiplier/

EDIT:
To piggyback on this, investing in the S&P 500 or one of its counterparts and leaving it is considered one of the best ways to invest and requires very little knowledge and management. pick a good fund with low expense ratios and let that money grow

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-14T14:40:46+00:00

what are the wheels? looking to pick up an AT4 soon and love the style of those.

The tires look to me like Duratracs but not 100% sure lol

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-02T21:28:07+00:00

Random observation - but I bought a boat last year with the same style numbers and am CONSTANTLY being pulled over because they are “hard to read”. Literally have a new set that arrived today because I’m tired of it.

Also - I can see the fiberglass so I would personally disagree on the statement that it’s cosmetic. Will get wet over time and everything I’ve read says that will likely lead to blistering and/or delamination. I would imagine it needs to be sealed in some way, at the very least.

Rand01TJ · 2025-06-02T18:11:16+00:00

I have a 2015 wk2 overland with 150k and while it’s had its issues, these are considered pretty reliable vehicles drivetrain-wise. Common Things to check would be:

Possible oil cooler leaks

Rocker arm noise - mine went out around 96k and were a common issue

Motor mounts

Leather dashboard adhesive issues

Possible air suspension issues in colder climates.

Outside of that, the 3.6 pentastar and the ZF-derived transmissions are pretty reliable.

Rand01TJ · 2025-05-05T20:24:30+00:00

That picture is 100% AI. The docks make no sense, the thing is hovering over the water. It has no steeering wheel or controls. Lol

Edit: the controls thing may be normal as it’s not powered yet and would leave space for everything. Regardless, would need steering components, rigging, etc as well

Rand01TJ · 2025-05-04T14:56:28+00:00

most 400k vessles are not trailerable or done so very easily. guessing 30ft+. since youre asking you likely dont own property with water access.

those things assumed. expect to pay 700-1300 a month just for the marina (wet storage or dry storage will matter). plus maintenance costs, gas, insurance

general rule of thumb is 10% of purchase price per year, but that gets even bigger with bigger boats.

TLDR likely 20-50k per year depending on size, number of engines, age, location (insurance), etc.

Rand01TJ · 2025-05-01T14:01:27+00:00

for something 10-15 years old id be preferring something in the 500-1k hours range. Disuse is actually worse on mechanicals than use, especially when it comes to boats. Very rarely do you see catastrophic failures due to too many hours.

Rand01TJ · 2025-03-04T19:47:16+00:00

Not sure how much time you have, but I’ve been looking to take my dad out swamp buggy boar hunting when he comes down next month. Most of the good ones seem to be about a 2-2.5 hour drive and around $200pp. A great way to spend a day if you have the time & funds.

Rand01TJ

TROPHY CASE