Marlin Czajkowski, ORMHOF Class of 2024

Marlin Czajkowski – Industry (Legacy)

His name was Marlin Czajkowski, but everyone called him "Mr. Crawler". Marlin’s first trip through the famous Rubicon Trail was in 1984 with his wife Christine and their two children at his side. A “Toyota guy”, Marlin saw Jeeps being able to go slow through the Rubicon and wanted to be able to go even slower in his Toyota. With this, in 1994 Marlin created the first Dual Transfer Case designed for going slow over rocks, coining the phrase and creating the "Rock Crawling" industry.

Through his business, Marlin created many industry-first innovations which popularized and cemented the Toyota nameplate as a serious off-road contender, now in many ways more capable than a Jeep. He accomplished his goal of "putting Toyotas on the map" and was also one of the earliest to have a homemade on-board welder which he used to repair countless thousands of vehicles on the trail, creating a strong reputation for always helping others no matter the circumstance.

In 2001 as a heartfelt thank you to his customers for their unwavering support and trust in his products, Marlin created the annual "Marlin Crawler Round Up" which has become the largest sponsoring event for the Rubican trail and is a 'must attend' event for off-road enthusiasts, raising over $200,000 for the Rubicon trail.

Marlin passed away in 2023 at the age of 67 from a heart condition for which he was scheduled for surgery the following two weeks. Marlin's company, Marlin Crawler Off-Road, continues in its 30th year of operation in central California under the leadership of his son. Among Marlin's many accolades including the Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple prestigious organizations, it is his generosity and willingness to help everyone he met on the trail that he will be remembered for most of all.

Jamie Hoagland agrees, saying, “Marlin was a true humanitarian and an inspiration. He was never too busy to stop and help anyone. He did not care who you were. He would offer his time and incredible knowledge and ask nothing in return. He is an inspiration in a world of selfishness and greed. Marlin would never think of himself, he would give completely selflessly without even considering or it ever even crossing his mind to take anything in return.  His incredible talent of invention and his meticulous attention to detail are something that not a lot of people are gifted with, and Marlin shared that gift with us all.”

Deborah Littleton said, “Going to his (Marlin’s) memorial we were amazed at how many people had stories to tell about him helping them for many years, when they were broken down and just being there with a spare part, a welder, even going the extra mile--even in the middle of the night--to get a part that they needed so that they could get going. Marlin earned his wings that his family could now put on his Marlin Crawler turtle shell logo.”

The ORMHOF Class of 2024, Ken Block, Marlin Czajkowski, Johnny Greaves, Jimmy Lewis, Rod Millen, Jon Nelson, Mike Pearlman, John Rettie, Jimmy Smith, Pete Sohren, Scott Steinberger, and Evelyn Tallman-Duceshi, will be inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame on November 3, the Sunday before The SEMA Show, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Tickets are now on sale for Off-Road's Biggest Night of the Year, the 2024 ORMHOF Induction & Awards Gala. A special room rate is available for Gala attendees at the South Point. 

Special thanks to Crystal McIntyre for the use of her photo of Marlin Czajkowski.

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