Here’s a yes or no question for you. Are you a fan of this truck? With the Jeep front end, bubble hood, 17s, and 32 inches of extra cab, there are likely to be very few “kind ofs” in the crowd. But it’s to be expected. Neutral feelings and comments don’t really belong anywhere near this build given its far-out, caricature styling, and we’re certain this Toyota’s longtime owner would have to agree.
This story starts some 18 years ago, when Les’ parents gave him the truck. He tells us, “My dad bought the truck as the second owner, and decided to hand it over to me after it got wrecked. I drove this truck while I was in high school.” For those crunching the numbers, Les is, indeed, well into his 30s. It’s OK though, because the man wears his age well. The truly cool part about this particular portion of the tale is that very few of us can say that we still own the vehicle that served as transportation to and from Bio class. Hell, the number of those that can say they’re still dumping serious time and money into said car/truck gets even smaller. But through the years, the truck changed with the times, and the trends that have come and gone.
" Neutral feelings and comments don’t really belong anywhere near this build…
"
“Back in the day, it was just static dropped. When that wasn’t enough, I threw in four-wheel air shocks. In 1998, I ’bagged and ’bodied it. Soon after that I had kids, so the cab was stretched. After a while, that 3½-inch bodydrop just wasn’t enough, so 5½ inches was naturally the next best thing.” You can see where Les is going with his quick play-by-play recap of a project nearly two decades in the making. Throughout that time, he never called it quits on the truck, and after a certain point, a build as extensive and personal as this becomes part of the family. That, and finding a buyer with enough garage space to park this thing could take a while.
There’s a good chance you’ve seen this truck at a show already. It’s one that isn’t easily forgotten, that’s for sure. And even if you happen to be of the opinion that it’s an epic eyesore from planet awful, its image will be forever be burned into your memory. Because this Toyota is so different from the rest, it really is in a world all its own, and for that reason alone, we’re all about it. The strangest thing we’ve noticed about this truck, however, is how long it’s taken to be featured on our pages.
Les Voudrie • Millstadt, IL • Severed Ties
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 17x7.5 Billet Specialties
Tires: 225/40/17 Hankook Ventus HRII
Chassis Modifications
Suspension Front: Belltech drop spindles
Suspension Rear: Custom four-link
Control Arms: AFCO upper tubular arms, DJM lowers
Compressor(s): Engine-driven
Frame Mods: Custom-built from firewall back
Brakes: Stock front, rear disc
Performed By: Owner
Body Modifications
Shaved: Yep
Bodydrop: 5½ inches
Body Mods: ’02 Jeep Liberty front end, custom steel hood, Ranger front bumper, 32-inch stretch on the cab, 40x50 ragtop, molded wind deflector, Toyota Avalon license plate box
Suicide Doors: Yep
Performed By: Owner
Paint
Brand & Colors: Standox custom mix
Performed By: Owner and John Wimpee
Interior
Seats: Geo Storm GSI
Dash: ’95 Chevy Cavalier
Performed By: Seats by Ross Johns, carpet and trim by Chris Frantz
Stereo
Head Unit: Alpine
Mids & Highs: MTX TXC6.1 / TXC5.1
Subwoofers: MTX FPR10-02
Amplifiers: MTX TH90.4 / TH1200.1D
Misc.: Street Wires
Performed By: Owner and Ashton McDaniel
Engine/Performance
Engine: 22R
Intake: Weber
Header/Exhaust: Hedman Header, custom exhaust
Transmission: Five-speed
Rearend Type: Stock
Performed By: Owner
Special Thanks From Owner
“Thanks to my wife Kayla for dealing with this truck for so long, my kids Austin and Madyson for giving up weekends and time so I could work on the truck, my parents for giving the truck to me so many years ago, Joe Briggs for being a kick-ass boss and letting the truck live in the shop for the last few months of the build, Todd Honer for all the help over the years, Ashton for always being there, Ross Johns, Chris Frantz, John Wimpee, Tom Adams, MTX and Street Wires, Jason Planck, Josh Liley, Severed Ties, and everyone who helped along the way. Oh, and to anyone who said it would never be done…you know what you can do ;)”