Custom 1940 Ford Truck - Desert Jewel

A 16-gallon fuel cell sits under the bed and is flanked by dual exhaust pipes that exit vertically at the bed corners. Custom bumpers are found front and rear, and a Warn 9000 receiver-mounted winch can be used at either end should some additional trail assistance be required.

The bored 22R Toyota engine was treated to a major refinement with the use of forged Keith Black pistons, fully balanced rotating assemblies, hardened block studs, ported and polished head, titanium Ford 302 valves and springs, Crane midrange/top-end cam, aluminum four-barrel intake, and Hedman header. A modified Holley Pro-Jection system keeps the fuel metered into the warmed-over engine.

An aluminum big-block radiator and electric fan are mounted in the bed along with a Meziere electric water pump to keep the engine comfortably cool in the desert's summer heat.

The Marlin Crawler triple transfer-case setup provides four gear ranges, providing 20 forward speeds and transfer-case reduction as low as about 12:1. A beefy skidplate protects the transfer case and the All-Pro Off-Road transfer-case-mounted disc parking brake.

The front axle uses a high-steer crossover conversion and a Howe hydraulic-assist steering ram makes turning tires in the rocks a breeze. Flipped U-bolts help minimize hang points, and a custom F-250/Toyota driveshaft hooks the third member to the transfer-case output.

The bed holds a spare tire, recovery gear, 18 gallons of potable water, an onboard air compressor, lockable storage, a Hi-Lift jack, and dual Optima YellowTop batteries.

Inside, you get modern conveniences with a Nordskog digital gauge dash, a marine CD player, a CB radio, and a Premier Power Welder if John needs to melt a little metal. An onboard optical and infrared camera system with in-cab monitor allows outside viewing and VCR taping of wheeling adventures.

Aftermarket seats and four-point harnesses keep occupants safe under a rollcage fabricated from chrome-moly tubing. The transmission and transfer case offer a dizzying array of pool-ball shifter knobs. Cool desert mornings are made warmer with a Summit 28,000-Btu three-speed heater.

The bed contains a number of service amenities including a 50-foot air-hose reel, an electric drop light, and a pumped water faucet.

The Toyota rear axle provides reliable durability for this application. 4.88 gears and Detroit lockers in the axles ensure confident trail-running. So far, the stock axleshafts have proven sufficient for this vehicle and use.