2002 Top Truck Challengers 1986 Toyota Pickup

Like so many of us, Jesse Haines, of Traverse City, Michigan, built his '86 Toyota pickup one step at a time. Jesse was short of something that most of the rest of us don't have much of, either-money. This meant that it took him about three years to build his truck. But the wait was worth it, as he wound up with a Toyota that is capable of blasting through Michigan's biggest and baddest bogs.

Running mud requires plenty of power and Jesse knew that the 'Yota's four-banger just wouldn't cut it. So that was yanked and replaced by a Chevy 350 V-8. The new mill was bored 0.030-over and fitted with TRW forged pistons to help the compression ratio come in at 9.8:1. Improving the engine's respiration is a set of Edelbrock Performer RPM heads topped by an Edelbrock intake manifold. Controlling the fuel/air mix is a Holley 750-cfm carb, while the spent gases exit through Northwest Off Road headers and a 2 1/2-inch exhaust system. A mixture of Hypertech and MSD ignition components complete the engine mods. The combination is said to produce 420 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.

More mud trickery is evident... 

   

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More mud trickery is evident in the form of the rear-mounted radiator. This location helps to keep the radiator from becoming clogged with mud.

Another requirement for successful slime-running is a set of big tires. Jesse runs 44x19.5-inch Boggers on 16.5x15 Bart steel wheels equipped with custom bead locks. Helping to steer the big meats is a hydraulic-assist cylinder from a John Deere tractor. Creating enough room for the tires and some flex is a homebrewed suspension consisting of a four-link coil front suspension that utilizes Ford Bronco coils and Rancho RS 5000 shocks. In the rear another four-link was fabbed up that uses Jeep Grand Cherokee springs along with more Rancho RS 5000 shocks.

With lots of horsepower and monster tires, stout axles are mandatory. Front-end strength comes in the form of a Dana 60 that is stuffed with a spool and 5.13 gears. In the rear, Jesse opted for a Corporate 14-bolt that is also equipped with 5.13 gears and was welded up to provide 100 percent power to both wheels. Beefy 35-spline axles are used throughout.

More strength is found in the driveshafts, which are equipped with 1350 U-joints that attach to a divorced NP205 transfer case. Resting in front of the NP205 is an SM465 four-speed manual transmission out of a 2WD truck. It feeds the engine's power through a Centerforce II clutch.

Other tricks for the mud include a set of fiberglass bedsides to help lighten the truck and make room for those monster tires. The radiator was also moved to the rear to keep it from getting clogged with mud. Should the Toy ever get stuck, a Warn HS 9500 winch on a homemade front bumper is deployed. While Jesse's 'Yota should perform well in the mud pit, we wonder how it will do on the many other challenges of Top Truck. Next month we find out.
-C.P.

Providing plenty of motivation...        read full caption Providing plenty of motivation for Jesse's 'Yota is a Chevy 350 V-8 that puts out an estimated 420 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Slung under the front of the...        read full caption Slung under the front of the Toyota is a Dana 60 stuffed with 5.13 gears and a spool. Jesse made his own coil suspension using a four-link design and Rancho shocks.

Out back is another four-link...        read full caption Out back is another four-link suspension, also built by Jesse. A Corporate 14-bolt is used for rear-axle duties and is equipped with 5.13 gears and a Lincoln locker.