'He's Prepping for Mad Max:' Florida Tow Truck Driver Sees the Wildest Mazda 6 Mod Ever

• Mazda

A Florida tow truck driver's routine day took an unexpected turn when he encountered an apocalyptic vehicle modification. The Towminator (@the_towminator), who documents unusual roadside encounters in and around Jacksonville, Florida, captured an 11-second video that has racked up over 148,000 views and left viewers both bewildered and amused by a heavily modified Mazda 6 that looks like it rolled straight out of Mad Max.

The video shows the view from inside his tow truck as he spots the unusual vehicle in a lot. What was once a maroon Mazda 6 sedan has been transformed into something the Towminator dubbed the "Mogadishu-mobile"—a makeshift pickup truck that appears ready for the end times.

The Ultimate DIY Truck Conversion

The modified Mazda 6 represents an extreme example of car-to-truck conversion, albeit one that prioritizes function over form. The rear roof has been completely removed, the back seats stripped out, and the entire rear section converted into a pickup-style bed where the hatch and rear seating area once existed. The lower half of the rear hatch door remains in place, while the rear of the driver's "cab" is protected by a sheet of red plastic.

"I know you [expletive] lying right now, I know you didn't do that to the Mazda 6, my guy," the Towminator says in disbelief as he films the vehicle. "Bro, what are the tires for, armor? Like what, what circumstance, what? I don't know, this is a Mogadishu mobile."

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this improvised truck is the thick strips of tire rubber attached lengthwise to the rear panels, giving it an armored appearance that's equal parts Mad Max and practical necessity. A large metal toolbox sits in the rear "tray," completing the utilitarian aesthetic.

A Rich History of Car-to-Truck Conversions

While this particular example might look extreme, car-to-truck conversions have a surprisingly long history. The concept traces back to a 1932 letter to Ford Australia from a farmer's wife who requested "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday, and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays." This led to the Ford Coupe Utility, which was sold in Australia from that year.

American automakers eventually followed suit, with Ford launching the Ranchero in 1957 and Chevrolet introducing the El Camino in 1959. Though the format never achieved the same popularity in the United States as it did in Australia, there's still a thriving community of DIY car-to-truck conversions. Commercial conversion kits are available, and instruction books for DIY conversions were being published as early as 1980, according to Mother Earth News.

Battle Car Culture Meets Necessity

The Towminator's discovery sits at the fascinating intersection of two automotive subcultures: the practical car-to-truck conversion community and the post-apocalyptic "battle car" scene inspired by Mad Max films. The Wasteland Weekend, celebrating its fifteenth year in the Mojave Desert, draws enthusiasts who modify vehicles to project that distinctive post-apocalyptic aesthetic.

However, this particular Mazda 6 appears to be more about necessity than subcultural statement. The tire armor and improvised construction suggest practical problem-solving rather than a bid for Mad Max credibility.

Community Response

The video sparked an avalanche of reactions, with viewers both amused and impressed by the ingenuity. "Mogadishu mobile has me dead," commented one user, with many others echoing the sentiment that the Towminator's naming was spot-on.

"Those are structural tires," observed dustinfaulkner508, with 699 likes on the comment, suggesting the tire strips serve a functional purpose beyond aesthetics.

Jerry Partin offered a more practical explanation: "Tires are to hide the imperfections in the seams," earning 184 likes from viewers who appreciated the engineering insight.

One of the most popular comments came from kalobbenafield, who quipped, "Might look bad but I reckon each one of those tires added a Goodyear or two to its lifespan"—a pun that earned 405 likes and prompted the Towminator to respond, "They are whatever was lying around the trailer park tires lol."

The Story Behind the Build

In the comments, a user claiming ownership of a similar conversion, Nick Pasquinelly, provided insight into the motivation behind such projects. "It was my bud's car that got rear ended twice, totaled," he explained. "He gave me some cash and this car for my spare Camry. I always wanted to sawzall a roof off a car to make a truck. Was the perfect car for it."

This explanation suggests that many of these extreme conversions aren't born from artistic vision but from practical circumstances—taking a damaged vehicle and giving it new life in an unexpected form.

The Towminator, known for documenting the more unusual aspects of his towing work around Jacksonville, admitted in the comments that the sight left him momentarily speechless. "Not gonna lie, my brain was working on SloMo when I saw that monstrosity. Normally I'm quicker on my feet, but Mogadishu mobile is hilarious," he wrote.

Whether born of necessity, creativity, or pure determination to squeeze more life out of a damaged sedan, this Mazda 6 conversion represents the kind of automotive ingenuity that continues to surprise and entertain viewers across social media.

Motor1 has reached out to the Towminator via TikTok direct message for additional information. We'll be sure to update this if they respond.