If you race or follow Southern California desert racing, than you know who Dan Vance is. Taking home the '03 and '04 MDR 1450 class championship title speaks for itself. After a pair of highly successful years Dan decided he wanted more. The next truck needed to be faster, smoother, and more reliable to give him the chance to race in some upper level classes.
We give you Kung Fu, Dan's '92 Toyota truck that has quickly gained both respect and a wealth of interesting stories. Dan originally purchased this truck for an auto parts company he was working for back in '92 (brand new). Over the years it suffered the loss of two motors, was wrecked twice, and almost landed in the junkyard. In '04 Dan was given the keys to the delivery truck and the transformation began.
The decision on who would help Dan create his next championship winning truck was an easy one. Mike Clark, Owner and Fabricator of ESB Fabrications built Dan's past trucks and this would make it a hat trick. The truck got its name one night while Mike and Dan, beaten up and bruised from the process, were building it. The song "Kung Fu Fighting" came on the radio and the name stuck as the truck was surely beating both of them up. Not to mention it was kicking the crap out of Dan's wallet.
The first scheduled race for the truck was supposed to be the Beard Shootout that M.O.R.E. held in the summer of `05. The truck was ready to go but with zero test time Dan decided to attend the race as a spectator and maybe shake the truck down a bit off the course. While watching the race someone ran over to Dan and informed him that one of the media helicopters had gone down and the medical support vehicles were having a tough time getting there quickly enough. Dan's contacted the race officials and got clearance to jump on the race course and off he went to aid in support any way he could with a race medic sitting shotgun. Many of you have probably read about this horrible day- the day our good friend Steve Kurtyka was burned badly in the crash. At speeds over 100 mph passing over 20 racecars, Kung Fu was able to help save lives. The truck had beaten the support helicopter also on it's way to the crash site. The GPS and race radio in the Toyota allowed the medic to contact the helicopter and get them to the correct location quickly. Call it Fate, Karma, or an act of God, but there was a reason Dan didn't enter that race.
A few weeks later the truck took home the 1450 class title at the MDR 400 race. Since then the truck has held a 45 percent win ratio and has become the first 1400 class truck to `overall' a race. This year Dan and the rest of the DNF Racing Team plan on entering some Nevada race events in the SNORE series competing in Class 7 Open. They hope to continue kicking butt and living up to the truck's name.
 |  The truck started as a '92...  The truck started as a '92 standard cab short bed. It was built entirely by Mike Clark and Dan. The wheelbase was lengthened 8 inches to provide a final 112-inch wheelbase. The cab was moved back 4 inches and the rear end was pushed back 8 inches. The entire truck is 0.120-wall 4130 chromoly. The main cage is 1.75-inch tube with 1.5-inch supports and gussets. Even the bedside mounts are 1-inch 0.120-wall chromoly. |  The front suspension is the...  The front suspension is the new Total Chaos Kung Fu race kit (www.chaosfab.com). It provides 16 inches of wheel travel and has a track width of 84 inches. The kit utilizes modified `86-`95 Toyota 4x4 spindles. Lift is achieved via the 4-inch taller spindle. The shocks are run inboard and outboard unlike conventional side-by-side shock mount design. Shocks include a 2.5x10-inch Fox coilover and 3.0x12-inch Fox four-tube bypass shock. Dan is also running the Total Chaos King Kong Steering System for superior strength. To compliment the steering a HOWE steering pump, gearbox and ram assist with a 2-to-1 quickener were added. |
 Lightforce has provided the...  Lightforce has provided the team with ten of their HID lights. The top lights and center front lights are their all-new Genesis HID lights with internal ballasts. The outer front lights are Lightforce 170 Striker HID lights. Driving a truck off-road at speeds over 100 mph requires the best lights money can buy. Whatever brand you choose, HID lights are a must..... |  .....As a sponsored Lightforce...  .....As a sponsored Lightforce racer, the truck is running Keith the Kangaroo on it's front bumper. This little guy has seen some tough miles and even lost an eye. Instead of replacing him, a burly pirate eye patch was added allowing him to continue on his journey. |  The motor is out of a `08...  The motor is out of a `08 Toyota XRunner. It's a 4.0L V-6 with a matching `08 XRunner 6-speed manual transmission. Both were donated to the team by T-Ten (Toyota Technicians Educational Network)..... |
 .....The motor has a set of...  .....The motor has a set of Doug Thorley Headers, and a UMP air box with a K&N Filter inside. The intake system was hand-built by Dan. |  The rear end is a Currie Enterprises...  The rear end is a Currie Enterprises 9-inch with a chromoly housing. It is running with a Strange steel spool, Daytona Billet pinion support, Tom's Billet yoke and a set of 5.57 ratio US Gears. It also uses 35-spline axles and Motorsports disc brakes. |  Kung Fu runs 15x8-inch KMC...  Kung Fu runs 15x8-inch KMC Enduro beadlock wheels with 35x12.50R15 Goodyear Kevlar MT Yellow-Label race tires. You won't find these at your local tire shop; they are sponsored race tires only. |
 The front fiberglass is Perry...  The front fiberglass is Perry McNeil's Toyota Tundra conversion front end. The rear bedsides are Hannemann Fiberglass Toyota Tundra conversion bedsides. George Reiss of GR Enterprises laid down a fresh coat of orange, black and white paint across the truck. |  A custom PWR radiator was...  A custom PWR radiator was installed and utilizes a factory Toyota fan and fan clutch for cooling. |  The rear suspension uses Total...  The rear suspension uses Total Chaos lower links, while Mike and Dan built the upper links. It uses 2.5x16-inch Fox coilovers and 3.0x18-inch Fox four-tube bypass shocks. The truck is also running 2.0 Fox air bumps at all four corners. The rear end travel is a whopping 34 inches. Greg Gagnon, owner of PRG Products, did all shock valving. McKenzie's Offroad limit straps are found at all four corners as well. |
 Inside the cabin, we found...  Inside the cabin, we found Beard Ultra Pro seats, Beard window nets and Crow five-point padded harnesses.... |  ....Communications are accomplished...  ....Communications are accomplished via a PCI intercom system, Kenwood race radio and a Lowrance GPS. Auto Meter gauges, Momo steering wheel and PCI air pumper system were also found..... |  .....As you can see, the truck...  .....As you can see, the truck is setup with function in mind. No extra frills needed- just parts to go fast and get you home. |