The Mouse: A Toyota Prerunner That Proves You Don’t Need Big Bucks for Big Adventures

The Toy pickup truck scene has some serious legends, and “The Mouse” is exactly the kind of rig that proves you don’t need a massive budget to build something absolutely capable. This ‘94 Toy pickup prerunner belongs to the crew at Bad Lines Good Times, and it’s got the kind of well-worn character that only comes from a decade of proper desert abuse.

What makes The Mouse special isn’t flashy paint or Instagram-worthy anodized parts. This truck has been hammered in the dirt for over ten years, and every dent tells a story. The owner converted this 2WD pickup into a legitimate desert runner, keeping only the doors, cab, and motor untouched from the original truck. Everything else got the full prerunner treatment.

Up front, The Mouse runs a Total Chaos uniball kit that delivers 13" of travel. That’s serious suspension travel for a truck that started life hauling lumber to Home Depot. The setup includes six 10" Sway coilovers paired with King bump stops that strike off the upper control arms. It’s a proven combination that handles everything from high-speed whoops to technical rock sections.

The rear suspension keeps things simple but effective with H70 Deaver leaf springs and 12" Total Chaos shackles. This gives the truck about 18" of rear travel, which is plenty for most desert running. The owner specifically chose 16" threaded body Sway shocks over bypasses because he didn’t want to deal with the constant clicking noise. Sometimes keeping things quiet matters more than having the absolute latest tech.

The truck is light enough that a small SuperWinch 4500B UTV winch handles recovery duties just fine. You can see where it’s been put to work over the years.

Power comes from the stock Toy motor, though it’s currently blown after running out of oil a few months back. That’s the reality of desert running - stuff breaks, and you fix it. The truck will be going under the knife soon for a rebuild.

And for extended trips into the desert? A rooftop tent sits on a platform that lifts on gas struts, giving access to storage underneath for all the camping gear. The platform can be removed to create a flat deck for hauling supplies or helping with trail cleanups.

Storage gets handled with D-rings mounted everywhere so everything stays locked down during rough trail sections. The truck typically carries two or three Jerry cans depending on the trip, plus a water can, Pelican cooler, and camp chef grill. It’s amazing how much gear you can pack when you plan the layout properly.

Inside the single cab, PRP seats with custom piping and purple crow belts keep the occupants secure during aggressive driving. The dash got completely reworked with race radio, intercom, and all the necessary switches and gauges. The owner admits the wiring was supposed to be temporary back in ‘11, but it’s worked flawlessly for over a decade, so why mess with success?

The steering setup includes a Momo wheel with quick disconnect and a Blitz Creek steering column. Even small details like the Poly Performance beverage holders show the attention to making this truck work for real adventures, not just photo shoots.

What really sets The Mouse apart is its honest approach to desert running. This isn’t a trailer queen that gets babied to car shows. It’s a working truck that’s been used hard and maintained properly. The extensive build thread on the Bad Lines Good Times forum documents the entire build process and countless adventures.

The Mouse represents everything great about the Toy prerunner scene. It proves you can build something incredibly capable without breaking the bank or chasing the latest trends. Check out more from the Bad Lines Good Times crew at their website or follow along on Instagram for more honest desert running content.

This truck has earned every scratch and dent through genuine desert adventures. That’s the kind of character you can’t buy - you have to earn it one trail at a time.