[atari4x4]

Congratulations on being selected for Auszookers Zook Owner of the Month!
How does it feel being honoured with the nomination for Z.O.O.M. 2013?

A bit surprising actually. Thank you Alien.


So tell us about yourself. Who are you, What's the meaning to your username, Where do you live, and what do you do for a living?

I'm a male, tall, I like long walks on the beaches............................The name is Joe, hence Joeblow. I live in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. I work in the 4 wheeling industry and have done so most of my life. I get to break things, test things and design things. One of the items on the market that I spent three years designing are the Intensity LED driving lights. Very proud of that and some of my best work to date. It was great actually doing something to suit all 4x4's for a change.


How did you get started in Suzuki's & how many have you owned?

I was taken 4 wheeling in a Hilux many many moons ago. I was hooked. The owner of the Hilux swore on getting a zook. Two weeks later I had the Yellow thing. I have now had this vehicle for 20 years. I have owned about 10 zooks of most models.


How long did it take you to build your zook to what it is today?

Over the years it has had many incarnations. About nine years ago the cancer was getting a bit much so a ground up re-build was in order. New custom extra cab, coils etc etc. It worked out very well and to this day has been very reliable and well handling. Very proud of that build and it will be sad to see the old girl retired.


What has been your best modification?

There have been many but the best would be rear discs and power steer. Turns a turd into something nice to drive.


What has been your worst modification?

Three speed Vitara auto. God that thing is rubbish.


If you could have anybody else's zook, who's would it be and why?

The twin cab coily. That thing impressed the hell out of me and was good to see someone taking pride in the way it was built. Not a weekend job!


What has been your best 4wding trip?

I have two. Our annual jaunts to tassie and the Otways which is now pretty much closed. There was a track down there that was only about 4 k's long but could take a few hours or a few days depending on the season. Every condition was thrown at you. And believe it or not Grimbo was on one of these monumental trips!


If you could go to any place in the world to wheel, where would that be?

Would love to see some of the action in Asia. Thailand, Borneo etc.


Who are you closest to in the auszooker's community?

Kenn.


Tell us what the wheeling is like in your area?

Awesome. Since the fires it's a little harder to find good tracks due to constant grading but the Parks dep has done some good. Now if we can only keep the asshats out during winter when it's supposed to be shut.........


What other toys/hobbies do you put a lot of time into?

My family. Not really a toy or a hobby but I love my kids to death. My oldest some is turning out to be a fantastic co pilot and camper. My other interests are machine tools, lathes, mills etc. Scale model trains also takes up a lot of time (usually when I've had enough of 4x4's).


What is it about the auszookers that brings you back for more?

Some good info and ideas. A lot of great people but unfortunately they live so far away. If only I could organise a drink with Joe, Josh, 303 and Shep (and a few others).


What about the auszookers forum would you like to see changed?

Nothing really. No matter what you do there are always people who think they know best, think it's their way or the highway and those that just want to stir up shit. Take the good with the bad. Just like marriage.


So if there is just one bit of advice you would give someone just starting out with Suzuki 4wds what would it be and why?

Get a zook, go out and wheel it. If you need to change things do your research and ask plenty of questions. Spend your money wisely, not tightly. And don't listen too much to Toyota and Nissan owners!

Yellow thing during construction.





Many hours of my life wasted on this thing...



West coast of tassie...





My old Jimny...



Tassie wilderness...



Three fat blokes in a Jeep....



The Wandin field days....



SAS Hilux...



The hand painted toys....





Ivan the co pilot..





Jimny 6 project....









The shed...




Now for the million dollar question, who do you select to be the next Z.O.O.M. & why?

Mr Kenn with the blue LJ because he normally talks your ears off but says very little on here...

[Brenno]

Lovely work jb!

[alien]

Nice writeup Joe =)

[Joe]

Welcome to the hall of Z.O.O.M Joe
I fly over to Melbourne a few times a year, on my next trip ill try to get a extra day over there and travel down to have a drink with ya

[atari4x4]

Thanks to Joe for another awesome entry & as I said in the PM's it appears you're a man of many talents, the detail in the model trains is awesome.

Do you know what happened to the white & silver ute "SIKSUZI" even with all that checker plate the thing was a work of art.

[Joe]

atari4x4 wrote:

"SIKSUZI"

I seen that over here about 10 years ago at a 4wd show in the city never seen it pop up again since.

[Red89]

Joe wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

"SIKSUZI"

I seen that over here about 10 years ago at a 4wd show in the city never seen it pop up again since.

It use to live on Risely St in Booragoon about 7 years ago.

Nice read Joe.

[Marko_SJ]

Very good read and lots of pics.

Another well chosen ZOOM.

[31zook]

And I thought you wouldn't reply

Nice work joe if im ever in melborne I'll come see you

[hooki]

Joe wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

"SIKSUZI"

I seen that over here about 10 years ago at a 4wd show in the city never seen it pop up again since.

yep owned by a funny bloke named Brad Kelly. He had it here for about 5 years but moved back over east with it I believe. It was an really impressive build, twin transfer etc. I went on a few trips with brad and that sierra certainly opened my eye's as to how capable sierra's could be.



Great work being selected for Z.o.o.m Joe. You do some awesome stuff with suzuki's

[tonyevans]

One of the best reads so far Joe - Love the trains too.

[superduki]

That picture of the Sierra laying over Joe, is that the 4k long track you were talking about? If so, Darwin Plateau is currently a gravel road as they are mine exploring in there. If it was Lake Cumberland that you were referring to, then yep, totally agree!

[atari4x4]

I think he was referring to the Otway's.

[shakes]

atari4x4 wrote:

I think he was referring to the Otway's.

Otways can be brutal.


More photo's of the Yellow thing needed Joe!

[joeblow]

Thank you for all the comments guys. Will post some more images up.

Big stuff happening........I resigned from work.

[tanshi]

wow ok, interesting

[bohuler]

Awsome write up Joe, your shed is an insperation to get a MASSIVE shed and fill it will fun stuff
Congrats on leaving the job! Whats in the pipeline to keep the cash flowing? More GV stuff???
Dave

[ninjamoses]

Great read. I have total shed envy.