Randy west of surprise, arizona has always had an interest in how things work.
For over a decade now, ever since he was 16, he has been modifying vehicles to match those tastes. Most of these vehicles have come and gone and never really been completed, but this one would be different.
To get this project off the ground, or in this case on the ground, it was going to take some ingenuity on Randy's part. Since the xB is a unibody, installing air-ride suspension was an interesting task. Up front, Randy built new strut towers and incorporated a new brace to hold an airstrut assembly on each side. For the rear a four-link was installed after Randy fabricated a new tubular bridge and a drop rear axle. Instead of using airstruts like he did on the front of the xB, he decided to use a set of Air Lift 'bags. This allowed the Scion to sit as low as possible without having to modify the rear structure of the xB.
When the Scion was being reassembled after Randy sprayed the custom mixed green, work began on the stereo system. A custom enclosure was hand formed behind the rear passenger seats to house a pair of 12-inch subs and the massive amplifier. Six sets of components were installed throughout the cabin of the xB, along with a monitor in the dash and a larger overhead console to entertain the back seat passengers.
Through his trials over the years, Randy has learned a lot. On this, his most recent project, he wanted to be creative and challenge himself in ways that he never had before, when building a custom ride. So even if the huge attention to detail on this xB doesn't get to you, then maybe the fact that most of the Scion was built solely by it's owner will. That in itself is possibly the most respectable thing about any mini-inspired custom.
Owner: Randy West
Ride: '04 Scion xB
Hometown: Surprise, AZ
Club: Scion Apocalypse
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 18x7.5 Limited 507
Tires: Hankook Ventis 215/35R18
Chassis Modifications
Suspension Front: Air Struts by Chassis Tech
Suspension Rear: Four-Link rear suspension with handmade dropped axle, Air Lift 'bags
Compressor: Viair 420
Air accessories: Eight SMC 3/8-inch valves, 3/8-inch line and fittings, 5-gallon air tank
Frame mods: front strut towers raised two inches, C-notched front frame
Performed by: Randode.com
Body Modifications
Shaved: Hood and rear hatch
Bolt-ons: Be Cool Billet Grille
Misc.: TYC taillights
Performed by: Randode.com
Paint
Brand and colors: Sherwin Williams "Randode Green Metallic"
Performed by: Garage Shop Customs
Interior
Seats: Removed the headrests and recovered in black tweed
Dash: Wrapped in black tweed
Gauges: Clear acrylic gauge face with green LEDs and a black tweed background
Headliner: Black tweed, shaved off all of the grocery hooks
Performed by: Mendozas Auto Interiors
Stereo
Head unit: Alpine Single DIN AM/FM/CD/DVD/WMA
Mids and highs: Memphis Audio M Class 4, 5 and 6-inch component speakers
Amplifier for subs: Memphis Big Bell
Subwoofers: Two Memphis 12-inch M3124D Subs
Misc.: Fiberglass subwoofer enclosure, Memphis 0-Gauge Wiring, 10.4-inch Sound Stream flipdown monitor, 7-inch monitor in the stock radio location
Performed by: Randode.com
Special Thanks from Owner
Thanks to my Wife Kristal and daughter Morgan for putting up with all of the grinding dust and car parts in every room of the house. Thanks to Memphis Car Audio, Garage Shop Customs, Phoenix Precision, my club Scion Apocalypse, Surface DVD, and everyone who helped with this build.