When Scion brings concepts to SEMA, the vehicles are guaranteed to turn heads. For the second year in a row a Scion design team came up with another compact truck design that caught our attention. If Scion continues to toy around with the idea of adding a truck to its current lineup, which truck would prefer to see?
Last year: 2009 Scion xB by MV Designz
The masterminds of MV Designz took this xB to that “what-if” next level, creating what could and possibly should be the next generation of compact pickups. The truck bed conversion is accompanied by MV Designz’s custom wide-body kit, front and rear fascia, motorized tailgate, Mat Hatch pop-up gas door, TRD lowering springs, TRD big brake kit, and USW forged 22-in. wheels wrapped in Nitto Tires.
This Year: Scion xB "Truck" by Brandon Leung
The box-on-wheels Scion xB has been reimagined by Brandon Leung as a small pickup truck that hearkens back to the classic trucks of the '40s, '50s, and '60s. Advanced Design Fabrication created the truck conversion as well as the new grille, which they mated to a Five Axis Design lip kit and Mooneyes bullet fender mirrors. 20-in moonbeam wheels and a wood-floored bed complete the retro look. Inside, ADF built a complete custom interior with a roll cage, Simpson harnesses, a custom bench seat, and a massive stereo from Pioneer.
Under the hood, Leung's team went to town on the motor with performance parts from Brian Crower, plus a DC Sports header. NOS dual-stage nitrous fogger system, and TRD heavy duty clutch, limited-slip differential, and short shifter. ADF did custom head and exhaust work. An Air Lift Company air suspension drops the truck to the ground and a TRD strut tower brace and rear sway bar keep things in line while TRD four-piston brakes provide stopping duty