Why This Dad Built a Half-Jeep, Half-Toyota for Family Wheeling Adventures

The Pacific Northwest has always been home to some wild builds, but Andrew’s latest creation takes the term “hybrid” to a whole new level. What started as a bone-stock 1992 YJ Wrangler has morphed into something that would make both Toyota and Jeep purists scratch their heads - and that’s exactly the point.

This isn’t your typical weekend warrior build that drags on for years. Andrew and his fabricator buddy Logan knocked this entire project out in just four months, which is absolutely insane when you consider the scope of work involved. They basically gutted everything except the tub and started fresh with a vision that came straight from studying the legendary Moto Built rigs.

The backstory here is pretty interesting. Andrew had been running a second-gen Toyota pickup that was absolutely dialed - basically a buggy with truck skin that would walk all over the rocks at places like Browns Camp. The problem was practicality. With a 2 1/2 year old daughter who he wants to keep interested in wheeling, that extra cab just wasn’t cutting it for family adventures. His original plan was to hack up the Toyota’s cab and build some kind of rear enclosure, but he never had the guts to take the sawzall to it.

That’s where Logan came in with the game-changing suggestion to check out the Moto Built Jeep builds. Once Andrew saw what was possible with the LJ conversion and started nerding out on the possibilities, the die was cast. The Toyota had to go, but its drivetrain was coming along for the ride.

The foundation of this build sits on a Chevy kingpin dana 60 up front running 5.38 gears, Yukon shafts, and super joints. It’s currently spooled, though Andrew plans to upgrade to a proper locker eventually. The rear end is a full-float 14 bolt with a Detroit - not shaved yet, but not a deal-breaker so far.

What really sets this rig apart is the suspension setup. Fox 2.5 triple bypass coilovers all around with 16" shocks front and rear, giving him around 6-7" of up travel. The whole setup is still running factory valving, so it rides pretty stiff right now, but once they get into some suspension tuning, this thing should absolutely boogie across the desert sections.

The real magic happens when you pop the hood. Instead of the expected 4.0 or LS swap, you’ll find a supercharged Toyota 3.4L that’s been through hell and back. This motor has been submerged twice, rolled upside down, and generally beaten on, but it just keeps asking for more. Andrew decided to stick with what works rather than chase the latest trend.

The engine is now properly tuned on Link ECU with bigger injectors and a smaller pulley that bumps boost up to 12 lbs. The result is more power than a stock 4.0 and that distinctive supercharger whine that makes all the right noises. Behind the motor sits a 3L Toyota transmission connected to a Toyota crawl box and then a built Dana 300 with 4:1 gears, 32 spline outputs, and a billet housing. It’s essentially a budget version of a 4 speed Atlas with the 2.28:1 crawl box providing that extra-low range.

The body work is where Logan’s fabrication skills really shine. They stretched the YJ tub 15 inches to LJ length using actual OEM quarter panel material sourced from scrapyard connections. The result is a proper four-seater that can run the sweet LJ Fastback soft top that looks so much better than the boxy YJ setup on a stretched wheelbase.

Both the front and rear frame sections got the chop in favor of tube work that provides clearance for the 16-inch shocks and maximizes up travel. The cage is all Logan’s handiwork - mostly 1.75" tubing with sandwich plates and proper frame tie-ins, but designed to be removable in case they ever need to swap tubs.

Rolling on 43" Mickey Thompson Pro X stickies mounted on 17" Trail Gear beadlocks, this hybrid has proven itself capable in both snow and rocks. The sticky compound is closed-cell, so it doesn’t suffer from the freeze-thaw issues that plague some compounds in winter conditions. Andrew’s only complaint is that they can get a little squirrely on off-camber snow sections compared to more aggressive tread patterns.

The interior strikes a nice balance between function and comfort. They kept the factory YJ dash pad and glove box while adding custom sheet metal work for gauge and switch mounting. PRP seats with proper harnesses handle the humans, while a big aftermarket heater box plumbed into the factory defrost vents keeps things comfortable during snow runs.

What’s really impressive is how well this thing drives. The supercharged 3.4 has plenty of power, the suspension soaks up bumps nicely even with the stiff valving, and the whole package feels cohesive rather than cobbled together. In 2.28:1 low range, it crawls with the best of them, but bump it up to 1:1 and it’ll cruise at highway speeds all day.

This build represents exactly what the sport needs more of - creative problem-solving that prioritizes function over following trends. Andrew needed more room for his family, so he found a way to make it happen while keeping the drivetrain components he trusted. Logan brought the fabrication skills to make it all work together seamlessly.

The result is something that’s genuinely unique in a world where most builds follow pretty predictable formulas. It’s got the practicality of a four-door, the capability of a purpose-built trail rig, and enough power to make desert running enjoyable. Most importantly, it’s designed around keeping the whole family involved in the sport rather than forcing dad to choose between wheeling and family time.

At the end of the day, this half-Toyota, half-Jeep creation proves that the best builds come from solving real problems rather than chasing magazine features. Andrew’s got his family hauler that can hang with the big boys, and the Pacific Northwest wheeling scene has another genuinely interesting rig to follow. That’s a win-win in anyone’s book.