Darren Sinkey: 1989 Ford Bronco

Top Truck Challenge 2010 Competitors: The Dirty Dozen

By Four Wheeler Staff, Photography by Ken Brubaker, Sean P. Holman

129 1011 Darren Sinkey 1989 Ford Bronco Driver Side View

'Caged Bronco

Darren Sinkey made a number of modifications to his big, well-heeled Bronco prior to Top Truck. The mods continued right up until it came time to leave for the event and as a result, he had no time to test the rig. He also came to the event with an aggravated leg injury from a previous dirt bike crash. Nonetheless, Sinkey was ready to compete.

Specifications

Owner name/city: Darren Sinkey/Oroville, California
Occupation: Owner, 12voltguy.com
Vehicle model: 1989 Ford Bronco
Estimated value: $35,000
Engine/aspiration: 351ci Ford V-8/EFI
Transmission: C6
Transfer case: NP203/205, Jed's Machining adapter
Suspension (f/r): Three-link, RaceRunner remote-reservoir coilovers/leaf springs, four shocks
Axles (f/r): High-pinion Dana 60, Yukon inner axleshafts, Longfield 300M U-joints, Warn outers, ARB Air Locker, PSC hydraulic-assist steering/14-bolt, Superior chrome-moly axleshafts, Detroit Locker
Axle ratio: 5.13:1
Wheels: 20x12
Tires: 46x19.5-20 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw

Darren Sinkey, Team #50

Most looking forward to: "Tank Trap. Just looks fun."
Not looking forward to: "Mud Pit. Because it's muddy."
Playing in his iPod/CD player: "Rob Zombie."
Sinkey says: "I don't take myself serious. I like to joke around."

Top-heavy is not what you want your rig to be when you're trying to maneuver it through the incredibly off-camber Canyon in the Tank Trap. Sinkey apparently knows this, because he radiused out the fenderwells to create room for the big 46-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw tires on 12-inch-wide Dick Cepek DC-1 wheels. This allowed him to keep suspension lift to a minimum. Another area he clearly addressed was body protection, because his rig sports an exocage that keeps the body from being unnecessarily mangled. Other exterior mods include Hella and PIAA lighting, and a front-mounted Smittybilt XRC 12 winch.
Top-heavy is not what you want your rig to be when you're trying to maneuver it through th
The magic underneath the Bronco begins with the high-pinion Dana 60 front axle that contains Yukon inner axleshafts, Longfield 300M U-joints, Warn 35-spline outers, an ARB Air Locker, and 5.13:1 gears. It also has PSC hydraulic-assist steering so Sinkey can point the big 46s easily. The axlehousing has been modified with a guard for the hydraulic ram and a mount for the link bars. The flexy suspension is quite simple and consists of RaceRunner remote-reservoir coilovers and a custom three-link setup with 55-inch bars that are 2 inches in diameter and have poly bushings at the axle.
The magic underneath the Bronco begins with the high-pinion Dana 60 front axle that contai
Nothing fancy in the back, just proven stuff that works. Leaf springs with 1-inch blocks and four shocks comprise the rear suspension, and they bolt to a GM 14-bolt axle that has been modified with a Detroit Locker, Superior chrome-moly axleshafts, and 5.13:1 gears.
Nothing fancy in the back, just proven stuff that works. Leaf springs with 1-inch blocks a