We were impressed with how clean the inside of this 27-year-old cab was. Working as a contractor with his father, Jason knows the importance of safety. That's why he installed a Marlin Crawler interior rollcage just in case this atomic tangerine ends up with its lid peeled.
At the heart of every wheeler is a sense of community. It's the idea that you are part of a group that, regardless of vehicle or capability, welcomes you with open arms. It was this very notion that allowed Jason Veal's '80 Toyota to get what most would describe as a dream overhaul. While Jason was stuck in a hospital bed undergoing bone marrow treatment, his friends, parts suppliers, and the local four-wheel-drive club were busy behind the scenes finishing what he had been working so hard on before he was ill. Over a period of 40 days the good-hearted wheeling community of Portland, Oregon, had rebuilt his rig from the ground up, outfitting the pickup with everything from a new 22-R engine to a fresh Atomic Tangerine paint job.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Jason and his dad in Moab, where the little Toyota was truly in its element. A few years have passed since the original overhaul and Jason has added much of his own time and modifications to the truck. Currently this cleanly peeled pickup runs a 4.7:1 dual transfer case along with 5.29 gears to give this well loved 'Yota the low and slow it needs to tackle the rocks. And although his ride is clean and doorless, Jason isn't afraid to sling a little mud at the local trails and bogs, seeing as how it's more convenient than the rocky terrain his truck lives for. From the custom bed to the homemade bead locks, Jason's Toyota represents more than just a truck, but a community effort that continues to show why four-wheeling is one of the best hobbies in the world.
To maintain leverage over the 37-inch MTRs, Jason equipped his '83 'Yota axle with a high crossover steering kit. And when he needs that extra bit of steering freedom, he just flicks the switch on his selectable ARB Air Locker that keeps him focused on the rocks, and not on fighting the wheel. | 
The 22-R four-cylinder is arguably one of the most reliable engines of its time, and Jason threw in a new rice burner to make sure he can make that long trek from Moab to home without any problems. | 
With hundreds of variations on building your own bed, it's nice to see one so cleanly done. Functionality was a key instrument for devising the storage containers and the tire rack. This truck carries everything you need and nothing you don't want. |
Tech Specs
Year/Make/Model: '80 Toyota pickup
Engine: 22-R
Transmission: Factory '86 Toyota five-speed
Transfer Case: 4.7:1 dual Toyota cases
Front Axle: '83 Toyota, Longfield 30-spline chromoly shafts, ARB Air Locker, 5.28 gears
Rear Axle: '86 Toyota, spool, 5.28 gears
Suspension: 2 1/2-inch Old Man Emu front springs, 4-inch All Pro Off-road super-flex rear springs, front and rear custom hangers, Pro Comp shocks
Steering: High steer
Tires & Wheels: 37-inch Goodyear MTRs on 15-inch homemade bead locks
Other Stuff: Marlin Crawler interior rollcage, Viar air system, Warn 9,000-pound winch