Owner: Jake Bigger
Ride: '92 Toyota Pickup
Hometown: Hutchinson, Kansas
We're sure everyone has heard the saying, "Keep it simple, stupid." While some go against that way of thinking, some take it to heart. Jake Bigger of Hutchinson, Kansas shows us that the saying lives on for a reason. His '92 Toyota pickup is a shining example of simplicity paying off.
When most people sell a vehicle, it's usually out of sight and out of mind. Rarely do you have the chance to acquire your vehicle back and finish what you once started. Luck was on Jake's side, as he bought his once-sold mini back for a measly $700. Problem was, there was a catch - about a dozen crates worth of a catch. The once-unified Toyota had filed for divorce from all of its major components, including the bed, the motor - heck, anything that could be unbolted.
Most people would shrug at the idea of seeing this swap-meet-bound, two-pickup-bed-full-of-truck-parts Toyota sitting there in its pathetic state. Jake, however, saw this as an opportunity to build one clean mini, a mini where he could be sure he'd have his hand on every nut and bolt from the ground up.
The cleanest aspect of this truck has to be the custom bed floor. There is nothing cleaner in our opinion than a mirror finish on a bed floor. It shows attention to detail as well as the refusal to haul lumber. The two-tone silver-and-blue paintjob covers all aspects of Jake's truck, front to back, inside and out. The two-tone theme finds its way inside the bed as well as the dash of the Toyota.
Jake's story shows that some things do happen for a reason. You could be pulling parts off of Jake's Toy' at your local Pick-a-Part, but instead persistence paid off. Some minis are worth giving a second chance.
The Lowdown
Wheels 18x8-inch KMC Guidos and Nitto 205/35R18s
Suspension /Chassis Slammed to the ground with 2-inch Belltech drop spindles / two pump CCE hydraulics / nitrogen-charged accumulators / Alter Images four-link / all suspension work done by owner
Engine Intake manifold, valve cover, and pulleys powdercoated to match silver on truck
Body Modifications Body-dropped 3 inches by Justin Cline / 4Runner front end / FBI skin-combo with flush-mounted LEDs / bed floor smoothed / gas door shaved and relocated under bed / shaved door handles, antenna, mirrors / all bodywork by Ron Hoefer of Hutchinson, Kansas
Paint Painted PPG Honda Civic SI Blue and Toyota Lunar Mist Silver
Interior Smoothed and painted dash to match outside color hues / Honda SI bucket seats in dark grey / light-gray tweed door panels / B.A.D. Gunslinger steering wheel / custom center console in grey tweed
Miscellaneous Billet grille insert / Hi-tech LEDs
Special Thanks Ron Hoefer / Sarah owner's wife / Meryl Krocker / Jack Monaham / Cathy and Joe Bigger (the parents) / Bondo