Hi, my name is Nara Dewa. My shortname is Anang. I'm Indonesian and have lived in Batam Island for almost 20 years. It is a part of Indonesia, but very close to Singapore. I'm 45 years old, married and have 2 boys, now 16 and 14
When I was young, I mean when I was still studying in the University (in Bandung, Java Island, Indonesia) I started to love offroad cars when I saw (in magazines and newspapers) the adventures of the Camel Trophy, especially when they explored Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia, in 1986 ??)
In 1976, my first Jip (we here in Indonesia always call 4wheel drive vehicles a "Jip", pronounced exactly the same as Jeep) was a Land Rover '62. I was trying to know and feel how 4x4s work.
The second Jip I had was a Suzuki Jimny (LJ80, 800cc) then changed it into the second generation Suzuki in Indonesia which was a SJ410 (or known as Samurai).
In 1986, my father gave me a 1984 Toyota Landcruiser, with the original diesel engine. I brought my Toyota from Jakarta to Medan (North Sumatera) (vv) it's about 6000km with my friend and some parts of the journey passing the offroad from Jambi to Palembang (in Sumatera)
Unfortunately, I sold my Toyota when I married and moved to Batam Island to work there. But in 1989 I bought another Toyota L/C, year 1976, canvas top (softop) and brought it in to Batam. That has become my legendary car and I'm trying not to sell it. With some friends, I popularized an offroad wheeling event in Batam in 1990.
I used that car until 2000 and after that since I was very busy with my job, just put it in store at my friends place. But unlucky, he did not keep my car in one piece, some parts ware stolen or missing.
In 2004, I decided to rebuild my car, since it had almost become scrap. It's difficult to rebuild, since we are in Batam and do not have a workshop to do that. Lucky, my company where I work for, has a automotive division just to maintain all the company cars. I asked them to at least find a mechanic & body repair mechanic. Since I don't have a technical educational background, I always discuss everything that I want to do with my car.
The body repair, exchange all the body with 4 pcs steel plate with the original design. Since I used new plate, when it finished, I put a "soundproof" (because it is always used by the audio insulator) to all the inside body, just to make the body plate last longer.
Finally, with almost 2 years work, I finished my project, rebuilding the 1976' Toyota LandCruiser.
I put "Bestop" softop, used ProCom shock absorber, 32x9.5x15 Simex Extreme Trekker on beadlock wheel.
It has become a true "offroad look" Toyota Landcruiser.
I just need to put a PTO Winch, which I am still waiting for and self design spare tire at the back, since I don't want to attach screws or bolts to the body.
I also want to share my experience with everybody who is interested, why I developed my own website (www.naradewa.net / still under construction)
Below are my details:
Name: Nara Dewa, male
Date/ Place of birth: Surabaya, 25 March, 1961
Occupation: Group HR&GA Manager, PT Citra Agramasinti Nusantara, the holding company of PT Citra Tubindo Tbk. (www.citratubindo.com)
Address: Jl. Cemara Laut Raya No. 24, Bukit Indah Sukajadi, Batam-29433 Tel. (Office) +62-778-711323 Ext. 101 Tel. (Mobile) +62-811-702660
Best regards,
Nara Dewa
