# SoCal Prerunner > SoCal Prerunner is the authority resource for building prerunners and desert trucks: platform build guides, parts and brand buyer's guides, suspension and fabrication explainers, a directory of fab shops and parts brands, interactive build tools, Baja/SCORE desert racing, and a shop of off-road apparel. A prerunner is a street-legal, long-travel off-road truck originally built to pre-run (scout) desert race courses before race day. ## Start here (fundamentals) - [What Is a Prerunner?](https://www.socalprerunner.com/what-is-a-prerunner/): The definitive explainer — what defines a prerunner, drivetrain, suspension, tires, and street-legality. - [Best Truck to Build Into a Prerunner](https://www.socalprerunner.com/best-truck-to-build-into-a-prerunner/): Honest platform breakdown — Ranger vs Tacoma vs F-150 vs Tundra vs Chevy OBS. - [How Much Does It Cost to Build a Prerunner?](https://www.socalprerunner.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-prerunner/): Real budget/mid/high build tiers and where the money goes. - [Are Prerunners Street Legal?](https://www.socalprerunner.com/are-prerunners-street-legal/): The street-legal checklist and where builds run into trouble. ## Build guides by platform - [Toyota Tacoma Prerunner Build](https://www.socalprerunner.com/toyota-tacoma-prerunner-build/): Which generation to start with and the system-by-system build path. - [Ford Ranger Prerunner Build Guide](https://www.socalprerunner.com/ford-ranger-prerunner-build/): Which Ranger era to build (classic 1983-2011 vs new 2019+ vs Ranger Raptor), the system-by-system path, and real Ranger builds to study. - [Ford F-150 / Raptor Prerunner Build](https://www.socalprerunner.com/ford-f150-prerunner-build/): Full-size platform build guide. - [Toyota Tundra Prerunner Build](https://www.socalprerunner.com/toyota-tundra-prerunner-build/): Full-size Toyota build, plus the "better than a Raptor" angle. - [Toyota 4Runner Prerunner Build](https://www.socalprerunner.com/toyota-4runner-prerunner-build/): SUV-based prerunner/overland crossover build. - [Chevy Colorado Prerunner Build Guide](https://www.socalprerunner.com/chevy-colorado-prerunner-build/): Which generation, the factory ZR2 shortcut, and the long-travel path for the modern midsize (and GMC Canyon twin). - [Ford Bronco Prerunner Build Guide](https://www.socalprerunner.com/ford-bronco-prerunner-build/): Building the 2021+ Bronco (Sasquatch and the factory Bronco Raptor) into a desert rig. - [Nissan Frontier Prerunner Build Guide](https://www.socalprerunner.com/nissan-frontier-prerunner-build/): The budget midsize — why the 2005-2021 D40 is the pick, and the long-travel kits that fit. - [Chevy OBS Prerunners](https://www.socalprerunner.com/chevy-obs-prerunners-a-classic-off-road-icon/): The OBS Chevy/GMC as a prerunner platform. ## Parts & brand buyer's guides - [Prerunner Parts & Brands Directory](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-brands/): Filterable directory of every parts brand in the space. - [King Shocks](https://www.socalprerunner.com/king-shocks-prerunner-guide/): Coilover vs internal vs external bypass, 2.0/2.5/3.0 sizes, which setup fits your build. - [Fox Shocks](https://www.socalprerunner.com/fox-shocks-prerunner-guide/): 2.0-3.0 bodies, Factory Race, Live Valve, and King vs Fox. - [Method Race Wheels](https://www.socalprerunner.com/method-race-wheels-prerunner/): True vs simulated beadlock, sizing, and which line for your build. - [Dirt King Fabrication](https://www.socalprerunner.com/dirt-king-prerunner-suspension/): Mid- and long-travel kits and control arms. - [Camburg Engineering](https://www.socalprerunner.com/camburg-prerunner-kits/): KINETIK kit tiers, platforms, and long-travel vs performance. - [Total Chaos Fabrication](https://www.socalprerunner.com/total-chaos-prerunner/): Toyota UCAs, long-travel kits and spindles. - [Icon Vehicle Dynamics](https://www.socalprerunner.com/icon-vehicle-dynamics-prerunner/): Coilovers and stage suspension systems. - [Baja Designs](https://www.socalprerunner.com/baja-designs-prerunner-lighting/): LED lighting lines, beam patterns, and street-legal aux rules. - [ADV Fiberglass](https://www.socalprerunner.com/adv-fiberglass-prerunner/): Fiberglass fenders and bedsides by platform. ## Part-category guides - [Prerunner Wheels & Tires](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-wheels-and-tires/): Diameters, tire sizing, beadlock, bolt patterns and backspacing. - [Prerunner Lighting](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-lighting/): Light bars vs pods, beam patterns, and street-legal rules. - [Prerunner Bumpers & Armor](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-bumpers-and-armor/): Bumpers, skid plates and sliders; steel vs aluminum. - [Prerunner Roll Cages & Chassis](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-roll-cage-chassis/): Chromoly vs DOM, partial vs full cage, gussets. - [Prerunner Fuel & Cooling](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-fuel-and-cooling/): Fuel cells and cooling for desert use. - [Prerunner Steering](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-steering/): Hydraulic assist, single vs dual swing, and long-travel steering. - [Prerunner Brakes](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-brakes/): Big brake kits for high-speed desert. ## Suspension & tech explainers - [Long-Travel Suspension Explained](https://www.socalprerunner.com/long-travel-suspension-explained/): The heart of a prerunner — how travel works. - [Bypass vs Coilover Shocks](https://www.socalprerunner.com/bypass-vs-coilover-shocks/): The difference and when to run each. - [Beadlock Wheels Explained](https://www.socalprerunner.com/beadlock-wheels-explained/): True vs simulated beadlock and whether you need them. - [Prerunner Fiberglass Fenders & Bedsides](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-fiberglass-fenders-bedsides/): Why prerunners run fiberglass, finishing, and steel vs fiberglass. - [OBS Chevy Long-Travel Suspension](https://www.socalprerunner.com/obs-chevy-long-travel/): Why no bolt-on desert long-travel kit exists for the 1988-1998 GMT400, the 2WD coil vs 4WD torsion-bar front end, and what a custom setup takes. - [OBS Chevy Prerunner Fenders & Bedsides](https://www.socalprerunner.com/obs-chevy-prerunner-fenders/): Fiberglass fender and bedside options for the OBS Chevy, with real products and fitment. - [Ford Ranger Long-Travel Kits](https://www.socalprerunner.com/ford-ranger-long-travel/): Which Ranger long-travel kits actually exist, the coil-sprung XLT vs torsion-bar Edge/Sport fitment split, who makes them and who only sells them. - [Cab Mount Chop](https://www.socalprerunner.com/cab-mount-chop/): What a cab mount chop fixes on a Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ or Lexus GX, why it only clears about 33s, and when you need a cab mount relocation instead. - [Prerunner Exhaust](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-exhaust/): Exhaust routing for a desert truck - where to exit relative to the rear axle, muffler placement and tone, heat and clearance, and what actually breaks in the whoops. - [Bump Stops and Limit Straps](https://www.socalprerunner.com/bump-stops-and-limit-straps/): Sizing and setting up both ends of suspension travel - hydraulic bump stop body and stroke selection, nitrogen pressure tuning, limit strap length from shock extension and CV bind, and strap stretch of about 1 inch per 12 inches. - [2WD vs 4WD Prerunner](https://www.socalprerunner.com/2wd-vs-4wd-prerunner/): Which drivetrain is right for your build. - [What Is a Trophy Truck?](https://www.socalprerunner.com/what-is-a-trophy-truck/): The unlimited class of desert racing. - [Prerunner vs Trophy Truck](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-vs-trophy-truck/): The key differences. - [History of the Prerunner](https://www.socalprerunner.com/history-of-the-prerunner/): From Baja course-scouting to a lifestyle. ## Interactive tools - [Prerunner Build Cost Calculator](https://www.socalprerunner.com/prerunner-build-cost-calculator/): Estimate a build's total cost by donor, suspension, wheels, body and add-ons. - [Which Prerunner Should You Build? (Quiz)](https://www.socalprerunner.com/which-prerunner-should-i-build/): Answer four questions to get the right platform. ## Fab shops - [Prerunner Fab Shop Directory](https://www.socalprerunner.com/fab-shop-directory/): Directory of prerunner and desert-race fabrication shops by specialty and region. ## Desert racing (Baja & SCORE) - [What Is the SCORE Baja 400?](https://www.socalprerunner.com/what-is-the-score-baja-400-race/): The mid-season SCORE desert race, with results and history. - [2009 Baja 1000 Final Standings](https://www.socalprerunner.com/2009-baja-1000-final-standings/): Full finishing-order reference for the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. ## Where to ride (SoCal off-road) - [Top 10 Places to Go Off-Roading in Southern California](https://www.socalprerunner.com/top-10-places-to-go-offroading-with-a-prerunner-truck-in-southern-california/): Curated SoCal OHV and desert destinations. ## Shop - [SoCal Prerunner Shop](https://www.socalprerunner.com/shop/): Off-road and desert-racing apparel with free US shipping. ## More - [All articles](https://www.socalprerunner.com/articles/): Full library of builds, shop tours, race coverage, and guides. - [About SoCal Prerunner](https://www.socalprerunner.com/about/): Who we are and what we cover.