One trend we are seeing more often is the rehashing of older four-wheel drives. More specifically, we see people scooping up good deals on half-built or broken-down rigs and turning them into the wheeling machines they should be.

Bryan Shinn of Garner, North Carolina, found this 1984 Toyota pickup already fit with a handful of good parts, but it was far from the trail rig it is today. With a few builds under his belt, Shinn saw the potential of a great low-buck wheeler.

After buying the truck, he consulted with friend and shop owner Kevin Short of Kevin’s Custom’s & Off-Road in Willow Springs, North Carolina. The two decided that with a little TLC and component upgrades, the Toyota could be built to tackle nearly any trail Shinn wanted in the southeast. Better yet, he would have less than the cost of a new side-by-side in the entire rig. While it is still considered a work-in-progress, the truck regularly sees trail action.

We caught up with Shinn during a shakedown run in Uwharrie National Forest. He recently added on a fully hydraulic steering kit from PSC Motorsports and wanted to give it a quick workout. From what we saw, the propane-powered trail toy looked to be working just fine.

Tech Specs

1984 Toyota Pickup

Drivetrain

Engine:4.3L V-6

Transmission:W56 5-speed manual

Transfer Case:Trail-Gear 4.7:1

Front Axle:King-pin Dana 60, welded spider gears, 5.38 gears

Rear Axle: GM 14-bolt, welded spider gears, 5.38 gears

Suspension

Springs & Such:Jeep Wagoneer front spring, 63-inch Chevy rear springs, Skyjacker front shocks, Fox 2.0 rear shocks

Tires & Wheels:42x15R15 Interco TSL on 15x12 steel beadlock

Steering:PSC Motorsports fully hydraulic with double-ended ram

Other Stuff:Propane injection; custom rollcage, dash, sliders, and tire mount; bed bobbed 12 inches

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