Dumb and Tough: From Game Boys to 6X6s

What happens when two guys start reminiscing about growing up with Game Boys, old-school schoolwork, and life before smartphones? Somehow, the conversation ends up with massive six-by-six trucks, custom axles, giant tires, and the realities of raising kids. Just another day in the Toyota Garage.

In this episode, Jake and Riley kick things off with a trip down memory lane, comparing growing up before technology took over with the chaos of parenting today. They swap stories about road trips, kids in the back seat, and the seemingly endless ways children can turn a simple adventure into an unforgettable one.

From there, Jake gives an inside look at his new job building massive Arctic Trucks-style rigs, including six-by-sixes, custom axles, oversized tires, and the challenges that come with working around modern truck electronics, sensors, and expensive components. He also talks about preparing one of these incredible machines for Overland Expo and why these trucks are built around rugged utility and real-world capability—not just looking the part.

The episode wraps up with more stories from the parenting trenches, plenty of laughs, and a philosophy that seems to apply pretty well to both kids and off-road trucks: sometimes you just have to be dumb and tough.

It’s part shop talk, part parenting comedy, and part off-road nostalgia—but all Toyota Garage Podcast.

Stay connected with the Toyota Garage Podcast!

Follow Jake on Instagram @BrothersBound and Riley @Turdle4r.

For behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and everything happening in the garage, follow @ToyotaGaragePodcast on Instagram.