Fact: This Toyota was originally...
Fact: This Toyota was originally a two-wheel-drive PreRunner model.
Initially, this Tacoma's no-nonsense, shine-free demeanor caught our eye, but on a closer inspection, it became clear that this rig was built to really shine in the rough stuff.
Mollencopf notes that almost all of the bodywork was done by "Arizona rocks and landscape." He can take credit for the fender radiusing, Krylon OD Camouflage Green paint, Glassworks fiberglass hood (covering the stock 2.7L four-cylinder engine and stock automatic transmission), dual Marlin Crawler transfer case setup, custom front tube bumper that mounts a Warn M8000 winch, and the 12 inches lopped off the rear of the rig. The Taco rolls on 40-inch Maxxis Creepy Crawler tires mounted to 17x9 Pro Comp wheels with custom Ballistic Fabrication weld-on rock rings.
 A spare 40-inch Maxxis is...  A spare 40-inch Maxxis is conveniently located in the bed, as is a Hi-Lift jack on a custom mount and a toolbox filled with trail supplies. |  Here's a close-up of one of...  Here's a close-up of one of the front Bilstein coilovers. Up top, the tender spring has a 200-pound rate, while the main spring has a 250-pound rate. |  The inside of the rig sports...  The inside of the rig sports a collection of mods, including a modified ORS rollcage, '01 Tacoma panels and gauges, Marlin Crawler T-case shifters, Alpine/Rockford Fosgate/Kicker audio system, and Simpson seatbelts. |
 Mollencopf kept things simple...  Mollencopf kept things simple out back and retained the leaf spring setup. He did make a few interesting modifications to enhance their overall function, however. He went with custom 63-inch leaves and frenched the front hangers into the frame. The rear hangers are custom Johnny Joint swivel hangers. The rear axle is a beefy GM 14-bolt with a spool, Great Lake Offroad heavy-duty diff cover and pinion skid, and Ruffstuff Specialties disc brake conversion. |  The incredibly simple, garage-built,...  The incredibly simple, garage-built, flexy front three-link suspension includes 17-inch Bilstein coilovers and a Beard limiting strap. The front axle is a heavily-modified Ford high-pinion Dana 44 with gobs of cryogenically-treated parts, Crane forged knuckles, 5.38:1 Superior gears and inner axleshafts, Warn stub shafts, CTM axlejoints, an Aussie Locker, Blue Torch FabWorks diff cover, and six- to eight-lug wheel adapters. A PSC hydro-assist steering system with 11x14 Hayden cooler and Amsoil hydraulic tractor fluid help Mollencopf point the big 40-inch tires in the direction he wants to go. | |
Specifications
General
Owner/hometown: Eric Mollencopf/Chandler, Arizona
Vehicle/Model: 1998 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner
Estimated Value: n/a
Engine
Type: Toyota 2.7L I-4
Aspiration: Fuel injection, LC Engineering header, home-built air intake
Output, hp/torque (estimated): 160/na
Drivetrain
Transmission: A4W30 automatic
Transfer case(s): Marlin Crawler
Suspension
Front: Garage-built three-link, 17-in. Bilstein coilovers, Beard limiting strap
Rear: Custom 63-in. leaf springs, monotube shocks, frenched front hangers, Johnny Joint swivel rear hangers
Axles/Differentials
Front: Ford high-pinion Dana 44, Crane forged knuckles, cryogenically-treated internals, Superior axleshafts, Warn outers, CTM axlejoints, custom 6- to 8-lug wheel adapters, Blue Torch Fab Works heavy-duty diff cover, PSC hydraulic-assist steering/Aussie Locker
Rear: GM 14-bolt, Ruffstuff Specialties disc brake conversion/Spool
Ring and pinion: Yukon 5.38:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: Steel 17x9 Pro Comp with custom weld-on Ballistic Fabrication rock rings
Tires: 40x13.50-17 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers