Under the Hood: Rockynats 05 - Ben Wood
Published on 06 April 2025
Ben Wood
Sunshine Coast, QLD
1989 Toyota Crown Wagon
Ben Wood knows how to make an entrance. As the Sunshine Coast local cruised into the CBD Precinct at Rare Spares Rockynats, his 1989 Toyota Crown Wagon shimmered in the sunlight, sunroof wide open, catching glances and turning heads. People paused mid-step to snap a photo or lean in for a chat, drawn to the retro lines and old-school charm of the Japanese classic.
“People get really intrigued by it,” Ben said. “They love the shape and the style. It’s like a couch on wheels, very generous and relaxed.”
Ben has been car mad for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Tasmania, some of his earliest memories are tied to vehicles — like riding in the back of his mum’s Toyota Corona wagon, cruising down Sandy Bay Road. With older brothers, uncles and a childhood surrounded by cool cars, it was inevitable that cars would become more than just a passion.
“I’ve always been into cars,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to be a mechanic. I’m a mechanic by trade.”
These days, that trade has grown into something much bigger. Ben runs his own workshop and documents his builds on The Skid Factory – a YouTube channel dedicated to all things automotive, from bikes to four-wheel drives and everything in between.
“I love everything. Anything with an engine inspires me,” he said. “I just appreciate all makes and models.”
The Crown was a lucky find on Marketplace and Ben instantly had big dreams of a Barra swap; the iconic Ford XR6 turbo engine combo. Yet after he took it home, like many restoration projects, it sat untouched for six years and even spent many a day sitting underneath his mango tree.
Eventually, Ben’s vision came to life. The Crown now runs a stock bottom end FG turbo block with oil pump gears, head studs, Kelford camshafts and valve springs. The turbo is a Garrett G40 sitting on a 6-boost manifold with a Go Fast Bits EX50 taking care of boost control. A Haltech Nexus R3 and PD16 run the show, getting 770HP to the wheel hubs through a TH400 transmission and 35Spline 9” diff.
“The whole conversion, from painting the engine bay to modifying the car, building the diff and the engine took about three months start to finish,” he explained.
For Ben, it’s not just about power, it’s about driving. “Cruising with your mates, piling everyone in, there’s something about that feeling. Rockynats is perfect for that.”
He never misses a chance to get behind the wheel, even if it’s just for a quick lap. “I’ll go out of my way to cut a hot lap on the way home from somewhere all the time,” he admits.
Events like Rockynats 05 mean more to Ben than just showcasing builds, it’s about the people behind them.
“It’s a weekend away to catch up with friends, some I only see once a year,” he said. “It’s such a well-thought-out event, right through the city, and super family friendly too.”
And like any good car community, it comes with a support system.
“Everyone’s always got everyone’s back,” he said. “If you need a part or a favour, someone knows someone. It just goes around the favour tree.”
From a dusty Marketplace listing to turning heads on the Flexihire ‘Cars, Coffee & Cruising’ route, Ben’s Crown Wagon is more than a build. It’s a rolling symbol of passion, community and good times with great people.