OWNER: Cliff Brown RIDE: '92...
OWNER: Cliff Brown
RIDE: '92 Nissan Hardbody
LOCATION: Glen Burne, Maryland
CLUB: Cali' Style
When Cliff Brown purchased his '92 Nissan Hardbody, he didn't know how to change the oil, much less how to begin to customize it. That all changed, however, after he attended Booger Bash in 1997 and found himself hopelessly hooked on mini-truckin'. Little did he know he was about to become a true ground-draggin' mini-trucker and learn more than he ever thought about building a truly incredible custom mini-truck.
With the help of his closest friends, Cliff began working on his truck and learning much of what he needed to do from them. Since he had to drive the truck every day from the day he purchased it in 1997 until some five years later, everything had to be done right the first time around, or he'd be without wheels. Soon, the truck was being worked on during all Cliff's spare time and was slowly beginning to take shape.
The first stage of Cliff's work turned his truck into a daily-driven ride that wasn't your standard mini-truckin' fare. With 15-inch wire wheels and a flush-fitting camper shell, the truck was nothing like the extreme example that is driven almost everywhere these days. Cliff says that his truck will never be a trailer queen since he enjoys driving and dragging it as often as he can, week after week.
Cliff's Nissan is a prime example of mini-truckin's best; better yet, it's the perfect example of what can be attained by anyone with enough patience and addiction to this pastime. The Hardbody was built on a tight budget, and Cliff and his friends did most of the work in their spare time. Cliff was sure to point out that if he was able to get his truck built on the limited funds he had, then anyone could build one. The most poignant thought Cliff wrote down on his tech sheet was that he's learned a lot about life and friendships over the past few years spent working on his Nissan. He said that looking back on the buildup process, he can't even begin to explain how much stronger his friendships have become (especially his relationship with his dad) and all the new friends he's made, simply because he isn't just a driver of a mini-truck - he is a mini-trucker. Cali' Style is one ride that belongs at the top of the heap. Rock on, Cliff.
The Lowdown
Wheels/Tires 18x7.5-inch KMC Unit chrome alloy wheels / 225/35R18 low-profile tires
Suspension/Chassis Two-inch drop spindles / Pete & Jake's triangulated four-link rear suspension setup / four batteries / 6- and 8-inch CCE hydraulic lifts with 3/4-ton springs front and 200SX springs in the rear / two-pump CCE chromed hydraulic setup with polished blocks and dumps / 1/2-inch polished hard-line hydraulic lines to the dumps under the bed floor / '92 Toyota differential for five-lug conversion / frontend five-lug conversion / Cali' Style color-matched upper and lower control arms, spindles, brake calipers, rearend, driveshaft, fuel tank, brake drums, four-link bars, battery rack, crossmember bridge, custom tubular crossmember / smoothed and painted gloss-black frame
Engine/Performance Battery relocated to bed area / exhaust raised 2 inches from factory location for drag-proofing / color-matched valve cover / billet aluminum radiator cap / removed air cleaner top
Body Modifications Three-inch body drop by Todd Wilt in Indianapolis / shaved door handles / shaved taillights / shaved hood squirters / shaved door locks / shaved antenna / shaved cowl panel / shaved mirror mounts / smoothed fuel filler door-thumb protrusion / molded steel roll pan / flush-mounted dual 12-inch LED taillights / smooth steel tailgate skin / flared bedsides / tubbed firewall / Line-X bed interior
Bolt-ons Phantom billet grille / custom bumper mounts / '97 Nissan Hardbody front bumper with billet inserts / 4x4 Nissan Hardbody front fenders / updated hood / H-4 headlight conversion
Paint Custom-mixed Sherwin Williams "Cali' Style" Blue sprayed by Cliff's dad at Elite Auto Body in Crofton, Maryland
Interior/Stereo Pathfinder bucket seats / gray and royal-blue tweed used throughout / two-tone tweed-upholstered dash / two-tone tweed-upholstered seats / gray-tweed headliner and flooring / '97 dash conversion / Billet Accessories Direct (BAD) billet Inferno leather half-wrap steering wheel / Momo pedals / APC window cranks / FBI flamed inner door handles / billet rearview mirror / custom center console with flame-cut aluminum center section / hydraulic switches mounted to left-side dash in what used to be the vent location / 5-inch monitor in-dash / relocated head unit to heater vent area / Pioneer head unit and door speakers / interior done by John B., John S., Ronnie, and the owner
Miscellaneous When Cliff started to build his truck, he knew nothing about customizing. The finished truck is a huge testament to what he's learned. Cliff says that the best award he's ever won was his Cali' Style club logo that he proudly displays on his back window. Now that's dedication.
Special Thanks All of Cali' Style / Elite Auto Body / Cliff's dad / Ronnie / Ryan / Steve S. / Marty / Chad / John B. / John S. / Afton / Jayson K. / Tiffany / Matt for the hook-up / "Q" / Micky / Butchie / Mike D. / anyone who ever handed Cliff a rag or tool, or swept up the garage floor after a marathon session of work
Dedication "The biggest thanks goes to my mom. You will be missed."