Ryan Tuerck is a name that has become synonymous with drifting since his 2007 debut in Formula D.
But in recent years, Ryan has earned acclaim for some of the most creative builds in the drifting world and, more recently, time attack.
The GT4586, unveiled in 2016, was the first build – combining a Ferrari 458 engine with a Toyota GT86 chassis. It saw action at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Gridlife, and still makes the occasional appearance.
Next came the Formula Supra, which stepped things up another notch. The A90 MkV Toyota Supra base was adorned with dry carbon bodywork, extensive custom fabrication, and a Judd V10 engine. Yes, the same Judd renowned for its high-revving V8 and V10 motors from Formula 1 and endurance racing.
When it came time for a new project, topping these two would be a real challenge. Ryan set out a few criteria: a tube chassis, custom widebody, CAD design, and a four-cylinder turbo engine. Oh, and it had to be a Toyota.
From the options considered, the second-generation (1960-1978) Toyota Stout pickup stood out as a unique and ideal platform for Ryan and his team to showcase their skills.
The search for a suitable candidate led Ryan to San Diego and the purchase of what appeared to be a very tidy 1966 Stout. However, upon teardown, it became clear that a previous owner had applied Bondo body filler like Michelangelo’s brush strokes. Considerable repair work was needed to bring it to an acceptable state. As Ryan put it, “I kind of shot myself in the foot spending the extra money on a clean body that was just sanded well enough with a coat of paint.”
Once repaired, Rob Parsons (AKA Chairslayer) designed the tube chassis by 3D-scanning the Stout’s body, ensuring precise tolerances for the new frame. The custom widebody panels were designed by Jonsibal and produced by Advanced Fibreglass Concepts.
While this was happening, the tube frame and bare body were sent to Kibbitech, renowned for their fabrication skills in the prerunner world. They meticulously welded everything together and crafted several CNC components, including the exposed rear cross-member that supports the inboard BC Racing suspension and Radium fuel cell.
Back in 1966, 85hp was deemed adequate for a half-ton payload. In 2024, it definitely wouldn’t be adequate for what Ryan had in mind for the pickup.
The Stout’s original RK-series motor was replaced with a Toyota 3S-GTE/5S-FE mashup. Built by PSI Racing, the 5S-FE block increases capacity to 2.1 litres and improves durability, something enhanced by forged pistons and rods. With a Garrett G30-770 turbocharger, mild cams and an upgraded valvetrain in the 3S-GTE DOHC 16-valve cylinder head, the engine delivers more than 600hp.
MoTeC electronics features heavily, with an M130 engine management system, PDM30 power distribution module, and C1212 12-inch digital display all in the mix.
The original bench seat and column-mounted shifter would never cut it for the Stout’s new purpose. A custom tunnel for the Holinger sequential gearbox now separates the ultra-lightweight and radical-looking Recaro Podium seats.
Power is distributed to the Stout’s rear wheels through a Winters Performance quick-change differential. Rotiform LSR-Ms – 18×9-inch in the front and 18×10.5-inch out the back – give the truck a tough stance, snugly fitting under the widened arches. Brembo GT brakes, the same as on the Formula Supra, are mounted at each corner.
Relocating from the major automotive hub of California back to his home state of New Hampshire has provided Ryan with more property space for cars and tools. The move also served as an opportunity to acquire new skills, including machine shop tooling for crafting components like waterports and cutting threads for AN line adapters. The Stout was a hands-on project, allowing Ryan to dive into the work at every opportunity.
Typically, pickup trucks have a weight balance skewed heavily towards the front, negatively affecting their handling. Thankfully, the extensive modifications made a significant difference. Ryan says the Stout performed and handled better than anticipated and felt comfortable on its first outing.
This was evident when the truck attacked the hill at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed – sideways, as you would expect.
Along with Goodwood, Ryan has had the Stout out at other events like Drift Appalachia and Gridlife, where it continues to meet its objective: destroying tyres spectacularly.
Today, winning events isn’t enough. Drivers need to be podium contenders and brand ambassadors. They must be approachable and presentable, create hype, and maintain interest on social media.
Like Ryan’s previous projects, the Stout is a prime examples of this philosophy – building something unique to a high standard, while documenting the process for the masses and then driving it as much as possible.
Ryan’s next project? GT411 – a WRC-inspired Toyota Celica that’s already under the knife. If the completed build is anything like the GT4586, Formula Supra, or Stout, we’re in for a treat.
Stefan Kotzé
Instagram: stefankotzemedia
info@stefankotze.com
www.stefankotzemedia.com
Additional Photos by Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
I don’t know if he can ever top the Judd Supra but this truck is awesome. He does fairly in depth videos on YouTube for those that are interested.
How would you quantify topping something in an arena where there no measurable metrics?
The same way you measure a supercar. At some point the numbers are meaningless and the actual engineering, build quality and uniqueness are where a vehicle is judged.
Considering he has the only Judd v10 swapped Supra and the only 458 swapped 86gt, ya, he gets extra points for being unique. Like I said before, get some help. Mental illness is serious and you are clearly struggling with some issues.
We get it. You're scared to fight. Scared to race. And everything to you is about uniqueness and vibes. You're a dumb ass hipster with no balls. lmfao. What a pussy.
That's literally the gayest thing I've ever heard. Wow. Like super gay.
I watched the build videos for this truck when they came out. The finished vehicle is pretty neat in concept and execution but I really question why they had to ruin a rare, stock truck to build this. There's very little left of it. I think mainly a chunk of the cab body? Everything else is new. The tube frame chassis. The composite bodywork, etc.. They should have just scanned the truck and sold it. Or kept it around for comparison.
“Why do they have to take something rare and do this.”
Because that’s what drifting is. It comes from the internet era. Everything is about shock value because the sport is inherently figure skating for grown men.
That’s why it’s WOAH GUYS HE DID A F1 ENGINE WAAAAOWW NOOO WAAAAY.
Because people don’t understand history anymore so this is what gets eye balls. It’s a sport for children and hot wheels for adults.
I was wondering this too, but in the context of other builds. I always assumed that it was due to scope creep, or a desire to be street legal. Neither is the case here. I'd be interested to know the answer.
I did see that the hoonicorn was first built in steel, effectively ruining the body, and then molds were made. Maybe that was the case here?
Unrelated to any of this: when are we going to get more project udpates from the writers on this site? I haven't heard anything about project NSX, Dino's BMW convertible, Dino's 911, project M3/4/5, or the Jetta wagon in Ireland for quite some time.
Great to see this truck on this site. I saw the build on youtube a while ago. The truck looks great, the design is just right and love the paint job. The videos he posts of him drifting brings a smile to my face. Surprised more people are not into this build it hits all the right checkboxes for me.
This truck is rad on so many levels
There needs to be more drift truck builds!