CALI CRUISIN’
Keep it in the Family
MOST PEOPLE IN THE CUSTOM TRUCK SCENE ARE USED TO SEEING BUILDS COME AND GO. It’s pretty rare that anyone stays with a single specimen throughout their entire tenure in the scene. When Chris Galdi decided it was time to sell his beloved ’92 Toyota pickup, he hoped his pride and joy would go to a good home. Luckily, Daniel “Bubba” Castaneda was ready to take on the responsibility. Chris and Daniel are fellow members of Forbidden Fantasy truck club, and the ’92 ’Yota was built primarily by members of the Norcal Forbidden Fantasy chapter, so as we say in the mini-truck scene, Chris kept the truck in the family.
The body-dropped ’Yota features a C-notched frame and a reconfigured rear suspension that uses a custom 4-link setup and Slam Specialties airbags. Dual Air Zenith air compressors are housed in a relief cutout of the bed, and their satin black finish and contrasting stainless steel lines match the truck’s styling flawlessly. The front suspension drop is achieved with custom Sadistic Iron Werks upper and lower control arms and 2-inch drop spindles.
The dramatic drop complements a full suspension revamp, and a traditional body drop allows the truck’s frame and pinch to completely lay flat on Mother Earth, just the way we like it. Nineteen-inch fully polished Corsa Wheels wrapped in 225/35R19 Toyo Proxes rubber work with the slick graphics and black background to round out the exterior.
Beneath the glossy surface of the truck’s hood lies a beautifully ordered engine bay. The black paint stretches over the custom inner fenders and beyond. Much of the wiring and accessory hosing has been rerouted or tucked for an appearance that’s far cleaner than factory. The contrasting chrome and black accents help draw the eye to the polished valve cover and intake manifold. Toyota’s ultra-reliable 22re is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox in true mini-truck fashion. The four-cylinder is supported by a polished aluminum radiator and K&N cold air intake. The exhaust has been modified to accommodate the truck’s low tendencies and now ends with a Magnaflow muffler.
Despite its robust suspension work, impressive styling and world-class interior, the ’Yota’s body and paint work are still the most notable features. The body has been fully shaved of its door handles, gas filler and antenna. For a unique bit
of styling, the front bumper and fascia from a 4Runner were adapted. The rear bumper has been replaced with a steel Grant Kustoms roll pan and the back-end customization is finished with fully molded Cadillac taillights. After Kal Koncepts sealed up the bodywork, the iconic ’90s Cali-style paint production began.
First, a perfectly applied and finished layer of Standox Black was applied. On its own the classic black works perfectly with the fully polished wheels and chrome accessories, but the multi-colored, hand-painted green, gold, purple and blue graphics take it to the next level. The tear-and-wave element is a classic mini-truckin’ theme that still wears well today.
The interior completes the package with a clean and timeless design that boasts a unique attitude. Starting things off, the low-back buckets were covered in black leather upholstery accented with black suede that continues throughout the cabin. The floor and headliner display custom black overlays, as do the dash and console. The custom center console is integrated with the dash and shifter boot and houses the suspension switchbox. Behind the seats rests a custom-built sub box, also wrapped in black leather, which houses dual 8-inch subwoofers and dual JL Audio amplifiers. The immaculate interior was put together by Enriched in Santa Rosa, California.
Daniel’s ’92 ’Yota is a quintessential mini-truck with classic ’90s styling. When viewed individually, each component—from the suspension, chassis and rolling attire to the paint and interior—speaks volumes about the passion it was built with. When they all come together in a single package, this custom ’Yota represents the mini-truck scene to the hilt. Part of the magic behind such a well-done build is the simple commitment to keep it in the family.
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