A One-of-a-Kind, ¾-Scale Trophy Truck Built from a Polaris RZR Turbo S
Where trophy truck engineering meets custom fabrication, craftsmanship, and an entirely new level of off-road luxury.
Some vehicles are built to perform. Others are built to turn heads. The RJ Fab Mini Ranger was created to do both, pushing the boundaries of what is possible when a talented fabrication team sets out to build something truly different.
Built by Rob Lindsay and the team at RJ Fabrication, this extraordinary machine began life as a Polaris RZR Turbo S before undergoing an extensive ground-up transformation into a three-quarter-scale version of Rob's legendary 1989 Ford Ranger prerunner.
The result is unlike anything else in the off-road industry. It combines the agility and turbocharged performance of a high-end side-by-side with the proportions, suspension engineering, craftsmanship, and unmistakable presence of a full-size desert prerunner.
From its hand-built chromoly chassis to its custom fiberglass bodywork and meticulously finished interior, the Mini Ranger represents an exceptional level of attention to detail.
A Completely Reengineered Chromoly Chassis
While the Mini Ranger retains its Polaris RZR Turbo S origins, very little of the factory chassis remains.
Rather than simply installing a fiberglass truck body over a conventional side-by-side frame, RJ Fabrication reconstructed the platform to achieve the proportions, structural integrity, and suspension packaging required for a properly scaled prerunner.
The chassis was extensively modified and stretched approximately 16 inches, creating a longer, more balanced footprint that closely resembles a traditional desert truck.
The majority of the factory structure was replaced with a fully integrated chassis and safety cage fabricated using 1¾-inch chromoly tubing.
Select original Polaris components were retained, including the front differential bulkhead, critical front suspension mounting points, and structural areas surrounding the engine. These retained components allowed the team to preserve essential drivetrain geometry while engineering an otherwise highly customized platform.
Suspension components were developed using physical templates before being modeled in SolidWorks, allowing the team to refine packaging and geometry before final fabrication.
Weighing approximately 3,030 pounds fully fueled, the finished vehicle carries substantially more weight than its original RZR platform. Its reported rear-biased weight distribution, with approximately 60 percent over the rear axle, reflects the truck-inspired layout.
Every detail of the chassis demonstrates RJ Fabrication's approach: build a vehicle that is just as impressive underneath its body panels as it is from the outside.
Custom Long-Travel Suspension & Race-Inspired Hardware
A vehicle with this level of fabrication demands a suspension system capable of complementing its unique proportions and intended off-road use.
The Mini Ranger features custom suspension architecture paired with premium FOX bypass shocks, with suspension tuning attributed to Suspension Development Group (SDG).
The suspension package was engineered around the vehicle's extended chassis and increased weight, emphasizing controlled travel and stability over uneven desert terrain.
The build also incorporates components and hardware from leading manufacturers including:
FOX Shocks
Currie Enterprises
ZRP (Zollinger Racing Products)
Kartek Off-Road
Walker Evans Racing
Tensor Tires
Walker Evans Racing beadlock wheels are paired with Tensor off-road tires, completing the truck's competition-inspired appearance.
Throughout the build, the attention to hardware and assembly is equally impressive. Motorsport-style 12-point fasteners, carefully finished components, and torque-marked hardware demonstrate a commitment to precision and serviceability.
Rather than settling for a conventional side-by-side suspension package, RJ Fabrication approached the Mini Ranger with the same design philosophy used in high-end custom desert trucks.
Hand-Crafted Bodywork That Looks Like a Full-Size Ranger
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Mini Ranger is its bodywork.
At first glance, the truck could easily be mistaken for a full-size Ford Ranger photographed from an unusual perspective.
The exterior began with custom fiberglass components from KNINE Racing, but achieving the finished appearance required extensive additional modifications.
RJ Fabrication reworked the body to accurately capture the proportions and styling of Rob's 1989 Ranger. The team incorporated custom B-pillars, modified the doors, reshaped the bedside surfaces, and refined the panel alignment to create a convincing miniature truck.
Custom rear fender scoops were integrated into the bodywork to help manage airflow around the rear mechanical components.
The bed features a dual spare-tire arrangement inspired by full-size desert race trucks, along with symmetrical fuel-filling provisions.
At the front, an aggressive tubular bumper and premium KC HiLiTES lighting reinforce the vehicle's desert-racing character.
The exterior is finished in a deep, high-gloss black, complemented by carefully executed metal finishes and detailed components throughout the chassis.
Professional finishing work included paint by Sylvesters Customs, custom nickel plating by Pentrate Metal Processing, and powder coating by Extreme Powdercoating.
The result is a level of panel fitment, paint quality, and overall finish more commonly associated with high-end custom automotive builds than recreational side-by-sides.
Turbocharged Performance & Custom Cooling Engineering
Power comes from the vehicle's Polaris RZR Turbo S-based turbocharged powertrain, preserving the performance-oriented character of the original machine.
However, transforming the open RZR platform into a heavily enclosed truck-style body introduced additional engineering challenges.
One of the most significant was thermal management.
The initial cooling configuration packaged the engine radiator and intercooling components together in the rear bed area. With the added bodywork and limited airflow, the system experienced elevated operating temperatures.
To address the issue, the cooling layout was revised with input from off-road racing champion RJ Anderson.
The primary engine radiator remained positioned toward the rear of the vehicle, while a separate, custom-plumbed intercooling heat exchanger was relocated behind the front grille.
This separation gives the intercooling system access to its own incoming airflow instead of relying on the same concentrated rear cooling area.
It is a prime example of the thought that went into the Mini Ranger: when the unique design introduced an engineering challenge, RJ Fabrication developed a custom solution rather than compromising the concept.
An Interior Built with the Detail of a Custom Show Truck
Step inside the Mini Ranger, and the same meticulous craftsmanship continues.
The cabin was designed to capture the look and feel of a full-size custom Ranger while working within the significantly tighter dimensions of the Polaris platform.
A custom fiberglass dashboard replicates the styling of the original truck, with integrated factory Polaris instrumentation and warning indicators.
The interior features custom-upholstered PRP suspension seats, high-quality trim, and carefully fabricated metal paneling. Rudy's Custom Upholstery completed the interior finishing work, giving the cabin a refined appearance that complements the exterior.
Despite its compact dimensions, the Mini Ranger includes an impressive range of convenience and electronic features:
Switch-Pros electronic power management for centralized auxiliary accessory control.
Rugged Radios communication system for clear driver-passenger communication.
Custom premium stereo system integrated into the compact interior.
Functional windshield wipers, adding real-world utility to the custom truck body.
Pedal Commander throttle-response controller for adjustable accelerator sensitivity.
Custom PRP seating and upholstery designed specifically for the Mini Ranger's interior layout.
Every switch, trim panel, seat, and electronic component was selected or integrated with the overall design in mind.
This is far more than a fiberglass shell fitted over a stripped-down UTV. It is a complete custom vehicle with a level of interior refinement rarely seen in this category.
The Details That Separate This Build from Everything Else
What truly makes the Mini Ranger special is not any individual component. It is the execution of the entire project.
From its scaled body proportions to its suspension mounting points, spare-tire carrier, custom dashboard, and structural metalwork, the vehicle was built to reflect the design language of Rob Lindsay's full-size Ranger.
Even components that would typically be hidden from view received attention, with polished finishes, carefully routed systems, high-quality hardware, and professional fabrication throughout.
The build brought together respected names in the off-road industry, including KC HiLiTES, FOX, PRP Seats, Walker Evans Racing, Rugged Radios, Switch-Pros, Currie Enterprises, ZRP, KNINE Racing, and Tensor Tires.
The result is not simply a heavily modified RZR. It is a purpose-built specialty vehicle that showcases what can be accomplished when engineering, creativity, and craftsmanship are given equal priority.
A Unique Opportunity for the Serious Off-Road Enthusiast
Vehicles like the RJ Fab Mini Ranger are difficult to categorize because there are so few comparable builds.
It carries the heritage of a custom Ford Ranger prerunner, the mechanical foundation of a turbocharged Polaris RZR, and the craftsmanship of a high-end automotive fabrication shop.
Its history, professional media exposure, and association with RJ Fabrication make it particularly compelling to enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry behind custom vehicle construction.
Whether viewed as a centerpiece for a serious automotive collection, an extraordinary desert recreation vehicle, or a showcase of modern off-road craftsmanship, the Mini Ranger represents something genuinely special.
This isn't a production side-by-side with a body kit. It is an extensively reengineered, hand-built miniature prerunner that reflects decades of fabrication experience.