The Wagon Way

Curiosity or friends got you here so just what are we about. The Wagon Way site is two guys sharing and giving back to the wheeling community. We have been there, done that and are willing to tell you about it. We both owned FJ40’s at one time but these days we just happen to enjoy wheeling in wagons, wagons that are also daily drivers. Our wagon of choice is the 60 series Land Cruiser. Reliable, durable, easy to modify and built like a tank.

The site is about rock solid advice on what you can do with and in a wagon. It's a source for information, answers or a link to what you need. Technical know how that can be trusted without question. Inspiration for your own adventures, as you won’t believe the places you can put a wagon.

This is not a forum. While forums are full of good advice, they are also a risk for bad advice. The anonymity allows someone to spew out garbage all day and no one knows who they are and just what they really know. Here it is only real people with real names and years of practical experience. Everything on the site has been done to one or both of our rigs. And even though we both drive 60's you will find they are very different.

No one pays their way to get on here. We make mention of companies and individuals that we have dealt with and received good to great service from. And if we have been shafted by someone we will tell you that too. But probably with kind words so they don’t sue us. We will even give them a shot at redeeming themselves.

What’s in a wagon? Family, friends and my dog (who happens to be both). Wagons have plenty of room for others, they are inclusive, rather than exclusive. And to be honest you don’t even have to drive a wagon to find something of interest here on the site. Be sure to check back often for updates, edits and additional articles.

The Wagon Way is a mindset, a way to wheel and act, a philosophy if you will. But not one that is in your face.

There is a right way, a wrong way and The Wagon Way.


Eric Burch and Tony Konovaloff


-New Articles-

Rear Diff Pinion Seal

By Tony K

This one tends to come up often as our rigs age and get more and more miles on them.  Toyota has a specific way they want this replaced but it involves more money and tools than just a new seal.

Motor Oil

By Tony K

Learned more about motor oil in the last few days that I ever really wanted to know.   What I was really trying to find out was, what oil should I run in my motor, how often should it need to be changed, can I improve the performance of the lubrication system, etc.  Some of my questions got answered and some just created more questions.  If you thought oil was simple, think again.  Hopefully this will give you a basic understanding of that slippery stuff you dump into your engine.

Adding Gauges

By Tony K

Finding a place to add one gauge is pretty easy in our wagons.  But add more than that plus a few switches and it can get pretty frustrating.  I had already installed the air pressure gauge for my compressor set up but I recently purchased a mechanical oil pressure gauge and decided I wanted to add a voltmeter that I already had on hand.  This complicated things as there just wasn’t any extra room to be found.  So time to do some more thinking inside the wagon for a solution.

The McGrew Trail 2011

By Tony K

If you have never been to the McGrew Trail it is well worth the time and effort to get there.  I had seen the sign up sheets for the McGrew Trail run for years and finally decided to make the trip down to Southern Oregon to join some fellow cruiserheads in the woods.  This almost 24 mile trail runs through the aftermath of the Biscuit Fire, apparently the largest in Oregon’s history.  Way different than the trees of the Northwest I am used to.

Changing U-joints

By Tony K

Like everybody I used to beat the heck out of my u-joints, both removing and installing. But I say that past tense. I have found a much easier, gentler way to do it. at least while I am in my shop. The old beat the heck out of things is still the method of choice on the trail.

  • Write Ups:

    Contains all of Wagon Way's articles organized by categories. We have over 160 articles with more being written all the time and almost 700 photo's scattered throughout the site. Just click on the subject below to open up the index


  • As seen in Toyota Trails!


    Various articles written here have been published in TLCA's Toyota Trails magazine and on their website. After roaming around our site, click on the magazines to visit TLCA.


  • Shop Corner:

    What's going on in our Wagon Caves?

    • Ben’s FJ60 Build
    • Tony’s Cave

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    Articles that have recently had additional info or images added to existing "Write Ups".