November 2005:

Here is my 1987 Dodge Raider. I picked this truck up in October with under 85,000 miles from the second owner for $1000!!! I crashed a 1987 Mitsubishi Montero in August and this is my replacement ride. I am using the Montero for parts. The Raider is stock 2.6L four-banger with a 5-speed stick, dual spring-ride seats, 4.62 gears, rear limited slip, headlight washers, etc. as equipped with the 'off road' package. I have removed the rear seat in favor of a tool box and room for my equipment and tools. I added the Cibie' off road and pseudo-legal lights, 31" BFG all terrains, and Superwinch manual hubs. I've put over 6,500 miles on the truck in 6 weeks with no problems. Combined highway/city/dirt mileage is about 17 MPG (uncorrected). Original tire size is WAY small, and those donuts had to go!

September 2006:

Now I've had the truck almost a year and have driven most every day. I've now logged about 20K miles and have had to do some work. In Dec. 2005 the rear brakes, in Spring 2006 the hoses and belts, and transmission and clutch in July 2006.

I had the camera ready for this event:

Typical day at work with all my gear:

Tried some 33x12.5 BFG muds on some 10" rims, looked sexy but tires are shot:

I have this photo titled "Tire Size Envy" but shot it for scale, what I drive nearby at work:

I reverted back to the 31" BFG and ran with no front bumper this Spring. Had my Cibie' Super Ocsars mounted up for the foggy days:

I was assigned to a project frought with geological and geotechnical problems. The slope behind my truck experienced failure shortly after blasting for the roadway below, bummer!

The evil clutch job, took me all of July due to heat and work. Plus my first clutch job in 20 years...