Welcome to yet another primered appearance of the Construction Zone. We hope that by seeing more unfinished rides in the raw you'll come up with some new ideas of your own to complete the ride that's collecting cobwebs in your garage. If you have a ride that's not quite done but makes you want to shave, suicide, or chop something every month, then snap some photos of your own. Send them to us here at Mini Truckin' c/o Construction Zone, 2400 E. Katella Ave., 7th Floor, Anaheim, CA 92806.
In case you guys weren't aware by now, Under Construction is absolutely my favorite thing in the whole world. Yeah, it might be the fact that I can never seem to finish one crazy-ass project before I start another, or it might just be that I'm allergic to paint. (You'll notice that I'm mentioned in a lot of the owners' stories, because people have taken it as fun to pick on my disorder.) But either way, mini-truckers are notorious for building some of the craziest "almost finished" rides. That is why Mini Truckin' magazine is the only truck magazine dedicated to its readers in their time of need. Yes, we have primered rides on the cover; and yes, we also put together a special section just for you! It's our big Construction Zone Special, sporting 14 of some of the coolest not-quite-ready-for-paint minis out there. Check out what we came up with!
 Owner's Name: Jerome Penaflor...  Owner's Name: Jerome Penaflor
Year & Make: '97 Toyota Tacoma
Location: San Diego, California
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Silver Bullet
Wheels/Tires: TSW Mondellos
Suspension/Chassis: Firestone airbags, VIAIR 460s, ASCO 3/8-inch valves, Doetsch Tech shocks, rear cantilever setup, notched and body-dropped
Body Modifications: Shaved corner lenses and tailgate, PreRunner chrome grille assembly with billet insert, PreRunner bumper and valance
Interior: Eclipse bucket seats, Alpine head unit
Special Thanks: BW, Hippie, J's Upholstery
Future Plans: Hood, bed, body and paint, stereo system
Project Completion Date: Fall '07
Ranger Danger
Wheels/Tires: 22-inch American Racing wheels with 245/30ZR22 Hankook tires
Suspension/Chassis: Fast 'bagged, 302 V-8, five-speed tranny, Ford 9-inch rearend, four-link, custom 'bag brackets, stock-floor body-drop
Body Modifications: Shaved handles, locks, mirrors, antenna, corner lights, third brake light, gas door, rear end, body line, bed widened 2 inches, front bumper widened an inch
Interior: Fiberglassed dash and door panels
Special Thanks: Wife Andrea, TJ Ratclaff, Todd Miller, Mike Harp, Justin Eisenhower; everyone who's sweated, bled, or drank while working on it
Future Plans: Upholstery, paint, draggin'
Project Completion Date: Soon
Scum Bags
Wheels/Tires: 17x7-inch Centerline Spears with Yokohama 205/40ZR17 tires
Suspension/Chassis: Custom rear clip, wishbone four-link, Firestone 'bags, stainless hard lines, two 5-gallon tanks incorporated in frame, two Viair 450c compressors, 12 GC Extreme Valves, 7-inch chrome brake booster, Griffin radiator, header, Weber carb, shortened steering column
Body Modifications: Amigo fenders (front and rear), shaved tailgate, taillights, door handles, hood squirters, gas door, and mirrors; LED taillights in tailgate skin, under back window, and in front of hood; sheetmetal firewall, floor and back wall; 5-inch body-drop, custom rockers and core support
Interior: Bare-bones sheetmetal, bar stool seats, no radio, billet steering wheel, shortened and relocated pedals
Miscellaneous: Built in an apartment garage by owner
Special Thanks: Mike, Jeff, Andy, Sweatman, Nate, Mr. Gilman, all fellow Scumbags members, my dad, my brother-in-law, and the rest of my family for their support; and the neighbors at Springlake Apartment Complex for not having me evicted
Future Plans: Full sheetmetal interior, suicide doors, sheetmetal inner bed, 19s and 20s, and a detailed motor
Project Completion Date: Summer 2008