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)
Rick Pray - President
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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 - Vice President
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.
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.
Darrin Walker - Trail Leader
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Specialty: 2,3 I have been Off-Roading for about 3 years now. I got the wheeling bug from Garry, another staff member. He took me out to Anza Borrego State Park, and it was all downhill from there. I bought my truck January '04 and have been doing stuff to it ever since. My wife caught the bug shortly after, and now she has her own truck! We love to off-road as a family now with our daughter, and we will be doing this for years to come!
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.
Ed Mesina - Vice President Specialty: 2,3
I’ve been wheeling a Toyota since I had my first rig back in 1992. I was in the third grade and I remember when my uncle got his 1985 SR5 4X4 Extra Cab. He took me for a ride to the Azusa Canyon OHV which would later become one of my stomping grounds. I inherited an 84 SR5 from my father and was definitely bitten by the Toyota wheeling bug. I drove that for some time then moved up to a 95.5 Tacoma 2.7 in 1996. I mainly focused on fire roads and wheeling to access trout spots throughout the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains. In 2005 my beloved 95.5 was totaled and I acquired my new 2005 2nd Gen Tacoma. It certainly is a different animal all together but all in all it’s still a Toyota. It’s been tricky learning how to wheel the new gen since I was so used to having the smaller trucks. But I seemed to manage especially since I started getting involved with TTORA and was wheeling with other 2nd Gen Tacoma owners. I enjoy moderate – hard trails and expedition / overland trails while specializing in recovery. I drive a Prado Land Cruiser when I’m in Fiji on business and hold the utmost confidence in Toyota 4WD vehicles. I have to say that from the jungles of the South Pacific to the Sierra Nevada of California, you’ll find me wheeling a Toyota. If you don’t then I’ll most certainly be walking. So if you see my Silver Tacoma on the trails around SoCal don’t be afraid to come up and say "Hi".
Dave Nelson - Trail Leader Specialty: 1,2 Born and raised in Southern California, I have always been partial to camping and the outdoors. I first started camping around 8 in Arrowhead and have loved the mountains ever since. I had been offroading before, but I really got hooked when I went on my first official TTORA run in Calico in 2004. My first truck was a 2002 Tacoma and picked up the 2000 Pre-Runner that I drive today. After a set of coilovers and relocated rear shocks my rig “Sally” will soon be a full-on long travel truck that will hopefully attract a wider range of vehicles and wheeling to the So Cal Chapter. Even though I am not a 4x4 rig like the rest of the staff members, I am still able to do the Easy-Medium trail runs, as well as wide-open desert pre-running which is where my heart is. You can expect to see my truck anywhere in the desert and on most of the trail runs throughout the year. I’m always willing to help out and shoot the breeze with anyone so don’t be afraid to stop by and say hi. Hopefully we can get some “Pre-Runner” runs anywhere in the desert and hopefully expand this chapter’s already great group! -Tweeter
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Staff Members
