This is the one that started it all! While I had previous 4x4s, this Toyota pickup affectionately known as the “Junior Mint” launched my career in the off-road industry. It was painted that distinctive green color in homage to the Forest Service, as is my logo. I bought this as a factory regular cab turbo truck in San Diego in 2001 long before I had a tow rig and trailer. Over the next 20 years I wheeled the truck across California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and South Dakota, with countless trips driving to the Rubicon Trail and then airing up the tires and driving home. It wasn’t a better rockcrawler than the Tracker or as fast as the Ford, but for one all-around vehicle it was tough to beat.
Drivetrain:
22RTE engine w/ forged pistons, full ARP fasteners, DOA rebuild kit, DOA cam
T3/T4 turbo
Megasquirt standalone fuel injection
R151F five speed manual transmission
Dual 23-spline transfer cases with Marlin Crawler adapter
4.7:1 Advance Adapters Sumo gears
Dana 44 front axle w/ 5.38 gears, Detroit Locker, Superior inner axles, Warn stubs, Longfield u-joints, Warn hubs
Toyota rear axle with Diamond housing, Trail-Gear chromoly axle shafts, All-Pro disc brakes, turbo (V6) third member with Nitro 5.29 gears with the larger 29 spline pinion and Detroit Locker
Suspension:
Deaver custom front leaf springs
Trail-Gear 56-inch long rear leaf springs
Rolling Stock:
Constantly changing!
Additional Modifications:
Custom Brian Built front bumper
Xtra Cab body swap
Off Road Solutions custom roll cage
A million other things…