OWNER: Andy Motzkin
RIDE: '84 Isuzu Pickup
LOCATION: Tucson, AZ
CLUB: Freaks of Nature
When one begins the quest to build a mini that is completely out of the box and goes completely against the grain of today's mini-trucker, they gain instant respect in our book. Andy Motzkin of Tucson, Arizona, is just the type of mini-trucker we are talking about. Starting out with a practically abandoned '84 Isuzu diesel (yes, diesel) Andy was on the right track to making all of this happen.
Without a stack of money for the ridiculous "give me an ounce of each color of paint you have and 10,000 square inches of chrome" approach, Andy would have to be smarter than the average show-stopper. For example, 16-inch wheels and a single-color paint job keep this mini grounded, but that's not where it gets its flavor. The right-hand drive, slammed stance, and all-out cleanliness all add to its appeal. Keep in mind, while Andy was building this the only aftermarket product he could find was a roll pan. That's right! No spindles, no cool taillights, and no ABS bug guards.
As for the random story of the article, how is this? Andy is driving home with a toasted alternator and an exhausted battery trying to keep up with the need for speed of the oh-so-mean diesel. Andy notices a cat running off in the distance with roadrunner syndrome. A dog is hot on its tail and as the cat makes it across the train tracks, the dog does not and smacks right into the side of the bed. Since Andy is a devout member of PETA, he runs out of the vehicle to see how his bedside is. As luck would have it, the bedside had to be fixed and we never found out what happened to the dog, but we don't think he made his engagement with the feline.
Pan-T Dropper is proof that features and a show-stopping mini don't lie in a $10,000 loan at 20% or mommy and daddy's credit cards. Hard work, a well thought out plan, and friends are all it takes sometimes. If you don't have a good personality, then it might be a little harder for you. In this case, you'll just have to work harder.
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 16x7-inch Billet Specialties Phantoms
Tires: BFG Euro T/A 205/40R16
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Hydraulics
Front suspension: Flipped ball joints with modified lower control arms
Rear suspension: Three-link
Cylinder type and size: Front: Eight-inch cylinders, Rear: Six-inch cylinders
Control arms: Modified lowers
Spindles/springs: Half stack of 3/4-ton oranges
Pumps: Two chrome Pro Hoppers with #8 gears
Air line: The pumps to the cylinders are hardlined
Air/hydro accessories: Accumulators
Frame mods: C-notch
Performed by: Coffman Performance
City/state: Tucson, AZ
Body Modifications
Shaved: Front bumper ends caps, front bumper marker lights, door handles and locks, side moldings, wiper cowl, roof lines, tailgate, gas door, and antenna
Frenched: License plate box
Body dropped: Five-inch body drop
Back end: Molded roll pan
Misc: Eagle Talon bubble molded to hood
Performed by: Coffman Performance
City/state: Tucson, AZ
Paint
Brand and colors: Diamont Samba Green pearl
Style: Single color
Performed by: Photo Finish
City/state: Tucson, AZ
Interior
Seats: Saturn SC2
Material: Caramel vinyl with green tweed
Dash: Handmade fiberglass
Door panels: Handmade and painted
Center console: Fiberglass
Flooring: Carpet kit
Headliner: Green tweed
Gauges: Stock modified
Performed by: Pete at The Specialist
City/state: Tucson, AZ
Stereo
Head unit: Alpine CDA9807
Mids & highs: Boston Acoustic 5.4
Amplifier for mids & highs: V-12 amplifier
Subwoofers: 8-inch JL Audio 8w3
Amplifier for subwoofers: V-12 Alpine
Custom fabrication: Sub enclosure in center console
Performed by: Pete at the Specialist
City/state: Tucson, AZ
Engine/Performance
Displacement: 2.2L diesel
Intake: Modified intake
Battery: Costco deep-cycle Location: Bed
Special Thanks
Willie Coffman at Coffman Performance, Pete at The Specialist, Travis at Photo Finish, John Motzkin, Andy's family and friends, and Andy's ex (who let him keep the truck in the divorce)