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The SoCal Staff was created to help further the club and to keep its members informed about all things Toyota and 4x4 related. The SoCal Staff will also help its members find new and exciting trails, as well as to make sure that the club and its members are safe on trail runs. They are also here to answer any questions you have about the current or upcoming SoCal TTORA runs. They will know the trail ratings, what equipment will be needed, and if a certain trail is better suited for a particular type of truck (4x4, Lifted, PreRunner, Desert Racing, etc.).
They are also available to you if you decide to take a trip without the club, and you would like to know more about the trail you are heading out to. They will keep maps, trail info, and trail location information, and make it available to all SoCal TTORA members.
Each staff member will have a general knowledge about all things Toyota but each staff member has his own area of expertise. This page will give you the information you need to contact the staff member that will best be suited to answer your questions. The specialty and number system below each staff member's name is to help you find where that persons expertise lies. The number system breaks down as follows:
(1) - Wide open terrain and desert racing (2WD or 4WD)
(2) - Easy to moderate trails (2WD or 4WD)
(3) - Moderate to difficult trails with rocks (4WD)
(4) - Full out rock crawling (4WD)
Michael Ramos - President
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Specialty: 2,3 I was born and raised right here in beautiful Southern California. I currently live and work in Riverside and you can usually find me out of the house on the weekends. I've never been content sitting around at home. I was fortunate growing up with parents who loved the outdoors. I've seen, and camped, most of California and have been cross-country all over the west, mid-west and southern states. I always wanted to explore off-road but wasn't able to until I bought my '04 Tacoma 4x4. TTORA got a hold of me soon after and I've never had a better place to access information to build my rig.
I'm very lucky to live where I do. I have the San Bernardino mountains practically in my back-yard, Barstow and Calico a hop away from that, and Anza Borrego to the south. I love to wheel all over but have a special place my heart for Anza Borrego. My truck has a mid-travel lift and plenty of armor. It definitely gets used and I'm constantly testing it's capabilities. I enjoy everything from a scenic fire-road to the rock crawling offered in Big Bear and Calico. "Nobody gets left behind" is a huge standard of mine. I'm always the first to lend a hand to get a truck up and running again. I truly believe everyone has a responsibility to help keep our trails open to the public and I like to lead by example. I look forward to the years ahead with the chapter and the many friends I'll meet along the way.
John Childs - Vice President
 Specialty: 2,3,4 I was born and raised in San Diego and fortunate enough to have parents that started taking me camping as an 11 month old. Graduated high school early and joined the Navy where I lived in Italy and Washington State. As soon as I got state side again I knew I needed a reliable 4x4 truck to support my outdoor addiction, so I picked up my 04 4x4 Tacoma and the modifications began. Rick recruited me to TTORA and Anza Borrego (Pinyon Mtn) was my first official run and first real wheeling experience where I caught “the bug”. Over the past few years I have taken advantage of the vast amount of knowledge and help from other members to transform my truck into what it is today. It is not completely done, nor do I believe it ever will be. I take pride in doing all the work myself and wanting to know how everything works as well as how to improve it. I still have a lot to learn and am constantly researching and asking questions to those who are more knowledgeable. I am always more than willing to lend a helping hand to others and not afraid to get my hands dirty, just need to ask! I enjoy all types of wheeling whether it is scenic fire roads or dragging my rig over rocks in Johnson Valley. I am looking forward to giving back to a community that has helped me so much over the years. See you on the trails!
Mike Wood - Trail Leader / Webmaster
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Specialty: 2,3 I've been camping and such since I was 11. I got my first taste of offroading with my friend when I was in my teens and have been hooked ever since. I tend to stick with the Beginning and Medium groups as I prefer more to explore than to go climb over rocks. You'll often catch me running tailgunner or up front with my laptop helping the groups to get lost! And yes, I am the guy that had a PC installed in his truck. Currently my 2002 Silver Double Cab has a 2" Body Lift, and 8 Leaf Deavers. You can catch me on the boards as MikeAWood or on my website at www.MikeWood.org.
Frank Weidler - Merchandise Sales
Specialty: 2,3
In the early 1980’s, I had satiated my love for the outdoors and off-roading by purchasing my first 4WD truck. Thereafter, I would seldom be found driving anything else. At first, I would use it only for camping and cruising fire roads, only strengthening my love for 4 wheeling with each outing. I had encountered many adventures and misadventures during this time.
Three years ago, I was introduced to SoCal TTORA through the staff at Demello-Offroad and did my first run at Calico in April 2006. It was here that I discovered the difference between merely driving trails and implementing the true art of 4-wheeling. With this new knowledge in mind and with my eyes on the horizon of off-roading possibilities, I purchased my current truck in 2003 and began the arduous and ongoing process of building it up to a monster off road machine.
TTORA has opened my eyes to a whole new spectrum of 4 wheeling and exposed me the ability to conquer challenges well beyond what I (and my truck) ever thought we could handle. Even now, I continue to learn and build upon my experience with each run, but the best part about TTORA is the people that comprise it and the bonds of friendship we form.
Rick Pray - Trail Leader
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Specialty: 2,3
I was bitten by the TTORA bug after purchasing a 98 PreRunner and hooking up with the SoCal chapter for a couple of runs. Prior to the internet, I did own a couple of other 4WD vehicles (including an 81 Toyota 4x4 SWB truck).
Though, I never had a like-minded group to do the types of events that we do as a chapter. After these first few runs, I quickly became discouraged with the limitations of a 2WD truck. Especially after Garry Hill invited me to ride with him and his 4WD truck up in Big Bear one weekend. The better part of 2008 was spent converting the PreRunner into a 4x4. I'm still learning a lot about the sport/lifestyle and truly enjoy the camaraderie of the other chapter members.
Jamie Franks - Trail Leader
Specialty: 2,3
I'm Jamie - SAR_Squid79 on the boards. I'm a US Navy Rescue Swimmer. I'm originally from North Carolina. I've been in the Navy for over 11 years. 8 of those years have been in SoCal. I got into wheeling by accident. I bought my 2WD TRD PreRunner, and was researching some mall wheeling modifications, and stumbled across TTORA. I saw pictures of trucks just like mine on the Rubicon, and in Moab, and said to myself "I want to do THAT!". The rest is history - EXPENSIVE history! I have been an active TTORA member for over 4 years. My truck started as a 2WD PreRunner, and is now an armored, supercharged, 4WD beast. My goal has been to build a well-rounded truck capable of everything from daily driving, to trail riding, to mild rock crawling, to self-sufficient overland expedition. My truck has taken me all over the USA. I've wheeled Corral Canyon, Truckhaven, Ocotillo, Anza Borrego, Hot Springs Arkansas, Harlan Kentucky, Badlands Indiana, The Cliffs Illinois, MIOBI Iowa, and all over Moab. I'm very excited to give back to the organization that has taught me so much. I'm a VERY FIRM believer in 'Tread Lightly', and responsible wheeling.
Jason Demello - Trail Leader
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Specialty: 3,4
I was born and raised here in southern California; my second home would have to be Joshua Tree. Or as my circle of friends refer to as "The desert". I have been off-roading for almost eleven years. I started out on dirt bikes and through the years have ridden and driven almost every form of off road transportation known to man. The first 4wheel drive I ever drove was an International Scout. I think I was 14years old. My first 4-wheel drive I have ever owned is a Suzuki Samurai. I have driven many friends, relatives, and parents 4x4's through the years. Most of these were Toyotas.
Wyatt Scott - Trail Leader
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Specialty: 3,4 I was born and raised in West Germany and didn't come to the States until I was 18. I've been all over the world but now call Southern Cal my home. My first experience with off-roading was with my uncles Unimog in Germany. He works for Lowenbrau with the draft horses and he would let me play in the mud with his Unimog. I didn't have much contact with off-roading again until I came here to the States. My first 4x4 was an orange and black 1980 Dodge Power Wagon that every one called the "great pumpkin". After having that I built hot rods and it wasn't until 1999 that I bought my first Toyota 4x4. It was a 1989 4runner and I loved that truck. Then in September of 2001 I read an article about Tacomas climbing in Moab and I had to have one. I bought my 02 Dbl Cab in October of 2001 and joined TTORA shortly after. Then I sold the '02 and Jason Talked me into getting the '05 Tacoma so we could cut it up. The rest is history. I would say that rock crawling and extreme trails are my favorite but I love all that off-roading has to offer and I plan on making the off road world my future. I love going out to find new trails and to help others do the same.
Lyle Treend - Trail Leader
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Specialty: 3,4 Californian born and bred, I started off-roading when I bought my first '92 Toyota Truck in 1999. I blew the 22RE motor and personally re-built it and made some other off-road friendly upgrades. That was replaced by my now '00 Taco 4x4. In early 2003 I was deployed in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. During my 16 month deployment, the members of TTORA help transform my used and abused bucket to a bobbed bed, solid front axle, primered beast. I fully believe in our organization and the strength of our members. With this I hope to help educate our members and the public in back county etiquette, preservation, respect and responsible use of the public lands that we are fighting daily to KEEP PUBLIC. See you on the trails!
Tyler Barkwill - Trail Leader / Webmaster
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Specialty: 2,3
I got the 4x4 bug from local friends who traveled off-road as part of a type of scavenger hunt event called T-hunting. Even though I drove a 2wd station wagon at the time, that car was known for going places some of the 4x4 vehicles would not. I bought my first 4wd truck a few years later. It was a 1993 Toyota pick-up. Unfortunately its life was cut short when a friend of mine rolled it 2 months after I got it. I bought a 1995 Tacoma truck as a replacement, and still drive that truck today.
My truck now has over 250k miles and is on its second engine. Its still mostly stock which is probably why its lasted so long. Hopefully it lasts a lot longer because I need it to tow the Waverunner to the lake on the weekends!
Garry Hill - Trail Leader Specialty: 2,3,4
For me, it began back in ’83 when my dad took me out to Anza Borrego to wheel the AMC Eagle. He soon upgraded to a Nissan P/U and later a Ford Ranger that I rolled outside of Borrego Springs shortly after turning 16 in 1992.
I purchased my first truck (87 Toyota x-tra cab) when I was 18 and owned 4 other Tacoma’s until 07. My trail vehicle of choice now is a 97 Lexus LX450 (FZJ80 Landcruiser) allowing the wife and kids to wheel in comfort. We enjoy all types of terrain but have started to increase the number of hard trails we go on.
Stephen Frisbie - Trail Leader
Specialty: 2,3,4
My love for all things Toyota started when I was about 9. My father had just purchased his 99 4Runner and had started doing small modifications to it. Wanting to follow in his footsteps I was frequently found helping him change the oil or bolting on mall crawler add-ons.
When I was 16 I was handed down a 1986 5lug long bed pickup. Even though it was 2wd I was always taking it out and getting it stuck in the mud. After-all, that’s mainly all they have in Texas. After totaling the 86 I bought my first 4X4 which was a 91 DLX Pickup with a 22RE and a 5speed. Once I moved back to SoCal—my birthplace and home of 14 years—when I was 18, I attended my first official Toyota 4X4 meet. It was the 2008 Ultimate Yota Pismo Jamboree. That’s where I fell in love with 4Wheeling. Shortly after I began meeting up with other local members and started wheelin ‘Cleghorn, Pilot Rock, and Miller Jeep trail in my stock 91.
I ended up totaling the 91 and turned around and bought my 99 Single cab Tacoma. A huge upgrade! Once I realized that the Tacoma’s were a lot easier to find modifications for, as well as more capable stock than my 91, the snowball effect started. Over the past year and a half my truck has gone from completely stock to a lifted, locked, and fully armored IFS rock crawler. I can frequently be found in Calico, Johnson Valley (Cougar Buttes or The Hammers), Big Bear, or Anza Borrego trying to find the toughest trails I can throw at my IFS.
I may be the youngest of our staff members but I take pride in my ability to lead groups of other 4Wheelers through anything from fire roads to some of the toughest trails SoCal has to offer. All while upholding the rules and regulations of our club and practicing Treadlightly! principles and the ethics of responsible 4Wheeling.
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Staff Members
