Government and Military – including SOCOM and Military Trainers alike, using vehicles ranging from classic Land Rover Defenders to up-armored Humvees and more. He has over a decade experience teaching off-road driving to students from the U.S. Tom has been driving vehicles off-road for over 35 years both professionally and recreationally. We met up with Commonwealth Classics’ off-road driving instructor, Tom O’Neil and his late 80’s FJ62 Land Cruiser at the trail head, nestled in Markham, VA.
A beautiful setting to take photos of this 1990 LJ70 Land Cruiser, as well as get a sample of the upcoming Commonwealth Driving course and its challenging trails. Turning off the Toyota’s 2LT turbo diesel, we were met with the peace and quiet of nature. This is a far cry from the truck’s first home of sunny Tenerife in the Canary Islands but in the end off-road is off-road, no matter where you are. We pulled into the trail head just as the sun was starting to peek out over the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We drove from the dealership out to the Commonwealth Classics Off-Road Driving Course.
I was excited the whole way – the chance to test this vehicle out on a trail, assist in getting photos, and write about my experience. Driving out to Marshall to see this truck and test it out took me through the beautiful countryside along Route 15 at 4 in the morning – however, it was worth it.
Exhaust De-Cats & Exhaust Gasket Kits De-Cat Ford Ranger 2.5Td 1999-2006 De-Cat Ford Ranger 2006-2011 (Manual Transmission) De-Cat Isuzu Pickup 2.5Td / 3.0Td 2006-2012 De-Cat Isuzu Pickup 2.5Td 2001-2003 (Intercooler Fitted) De-Cat Isuzu Pickup 2003-2006 De-Cat Isuzu Trooper 3.0Td 1999-2005 De-Cat Mazda Pickup 2.5Td 1999-2006 De-Cat Mazda Pickup 2.5Td 2006-2011 (Manual Transmission) De-Cat Mitsubishi L200 2.5Td 2001-2006 De-Cat Mitsubishi Shogun /Pajero 3.2Did 2000-2006 De-Cat Toyota Hilux 2.5Td / 3.0Td 2007-2011 De-Cat Toyota Land Cruiser 4.2Td 1998-2007 Exhaust fitting & Hanger kit Daihatsu Fourtrak Diesel 1985-2004 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Ford Ranger 2.5Td (16v) 2006-2011 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Ford Ranger 2.5Td 1999-2005 Exhaust fitting & Hanger kit Isuzu Pickup Diesel 2003-2012 Exhaust fitting & Hanger kit Isuzu Trooper Diesel 1992-2005 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mazda Pickup 2.5Td (16v) 2006-2011 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mazda Pickup 2.5Td 1999-2005 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi L200 2.5Td 2006-2015 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5Td 1992-2000 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi Pickup Diesel1996-2005 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi Shogun / Pajero 2.8Td 1993-2000 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi Shogun / Pajero Diesel 2000-2015 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Mitsubishi Shogun 2.5Td 1992-1996 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Nissan Pickup Diesel 1998-2006 Exhaust fitting & Hanger kit Nissan Terrano Diesel 1993-2005 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0Td 2002-2009 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado / Prado 3.0Td 1996-2002 Exhaust Fitting & Hanger Kit Toyota Hilux 2.5Td / 3.Out of the blue, I got a message from Bill that he had something I might like to drive and write about – I was intrigued to say the least.