1994 Toyota Pickup LT1 Engine - Toyvette

John Burke operates a Chinese restaurant in Springfield, Missouri, so he's used to dreaming up tasty, creative dishes. But not all of them can be found in his restaurant. At least one of them lives in his driveway. Burke has concocted one of the most tastefully built Toyota trucks around.

The first course of the buildup consisted of a Chevy LT-1 Corvette engine that fits under the '94 Toyota's hood without a morsel of space to spare. With mods that include a K&N filter and Fastchip EMS computer upgrade, the mill produces 340 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Flowmaster mufflers and dual exhausts were added to expel the leftovers while an AC Delco 140-amp alternator, X2 wires and platinum plugs provide just the right jolt of electrical sauce. A TH350 transmission is mated to the LT1 and was modified with a B&M Star Shifter kit, a Flex-a-lite cooler and high-volume oil pan. Power is split through a Dana 300 transfer case and sent via custom shafts with CV joints to a Dana 44 front axle (from a Jeep Chero-kee) with 30-spline Moser shafts and a 5.38:1 ratio ring-and-pinion by Precision Gear. The rear Dana 60 is from a Chevy 1-ton and features 35-spline Moser shafts and 5.38:1 gears as well.

Burke incorporated many custom... 

   

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Burke incorporated many custom features into his ToyVette's interior, including Honda Civic bucket seats, Intellatronic digital gauges, a Cobra CB radio and a Pioneer sound system with Boss Audio speakers. Also included is a 5.6-inch Sony flat screen with a digital color infrared back-up camera and Sony Playstation 2.

Four-wheel disc brakes with stainless-steel lines provide plenty of stopping power while a custom high-knuckle steering setup, complete with an RS 5000 X1 steering stabilizer, provides directional control. The front suspension is composed of Skyjacker Softride 4-inch leaf springs with four Rancho RS 9000 shocks. The rear has Skyjacker Softride leaves re-arched to provide 6 inches of lift. Dual Rancho RS 5000 shocks are bolted to each corner to help absorb the bumps. A Trailmaster 3-inch body lift was incorporated into the design to help clear 44-inch Boggers.

Burke's eye for detail is easily noticed on the truck's exterior, which is complemented by a Smittybilt Double/Single lightbar wearing six Pro Comp 130 driving lights. Completing the appearance package are nerf bars and a brush guard. For recovery purposes, a Warn HS9500I winch, a set of 4 Pro Comp 10,000-pound tow hooks and a Hi-Lift jack are at Burke's disposal. A custom gray spray-job finishes up the exterior and includes a full tailgate mural and red graphics. The interior of the rig resembles a Circuit City demo studio and features a killer audio/visual sound system by Sony that includes a Playstation 2.

As you can see, Burke has a real knack for building one-of-a-kind 4x4s, and his ToyVette is a fine example of a delicious 'wheeled meal that you don't need chopsticks to enjoy.

An LT-1 Corvette motor was...        read full caption An LT-1 Corvette motor was swapped for the stock Toyota unit. It produces 340 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.

The front Dana 44 axle is...        read full caption The front Dana 44 axle is positioned by a set of Skyjacker Softride 4-inch leaf springs and four Rancho RS 9000 shocks.

A stout Dana 60 rear axle...        read full caption A stout Dana 60 rear axle houses an ARB Air Locker and a 5.38:1 ratio ring-and-pinion gearset by Precision Gear. The rear suspension consists of Skyjacker Softride 6-inch leaf springs and a quartet of Rancho RS 5000 shocks.