Primetime Lime

Sometimes trucks have to be built twice to get them exactly how we want them. Show trucks that maintain the same appearance on the show field for more than a couple years often die out with spectators. To be continually noticed, the truck's look has to be fresh and different, and match up with the current trends permeating the scene. Even if they are slight changes such as new sets of wheels or the addition of some wacked-out flame grille, these alterations can give your hauler a whole new attitude.

C.J. Silvey from Puyallup, Washington, is the proud owner of this '98 Ford F-150, which has been freshly completed for the second time. C.J.'s Blue Oval hauler was featured in Truckin' back in the Jan. '02 issue ("Tails of Evil") and its look today is a welcome change from its modest beginnings. In its first incarnation, Primetime Lime was certainly a looker, but did not have the fully shaved, rim-tucking, pavement-ripping appearance that C.J. was striving for, so it was pulled apart and given a radical makeover.

Planting the front rails firmly on the asphalt are Firestone 2600 airbags slammed into modified 3-inch spring cups combined with Nitro-Drop shocks. At the tail end, Firestone 2600 airbags raise and lower the stance, and Nitro-Drop shocks cushion the ride. Differential clearance is handled by a massive bridge notch performed on the rear rails by DTS Fabrication in Puyallup. Plumbing for the adjustable suspension system includes SMC valves, one 9-gallon reserve air tank, and an Oasis air compressor. Setting off the rail-dragging stance are 20x8.5-inch Weld Evo Axis 5 chrome wheels encased in Dunlop SP8000 low-profile tires. Since the original build of Primetime Lime was rather modest, the powerplant was nothing to write home about. So C.J. felt a bit of performance could be blended with the truck's grace and style to achieve a well-rounded custom package.

Lurking under the hood of C.J.'s blinding green beauty is the original 4.6L engine boosted in the performance department by a MagnaCharger supercharger running 10 pounds of boost. Accentuating the whine of the supercharger when the throttle is pinned is a 3-inch MagnaFlow exhaust complemented by a Superchips computer chip. The main alterations to this low-down, late-model F-series are on the slick and smooth exterior.

When it comes to redoing a truck's look and making a bold statement with the truck show crowd, there is no substitute for extensive paint and body modifications to freshen up a tired look. C.J. went for broke in creating Primetime Lime's new appearance by shaving everything in sight and laying down a bold and bright color over the wrinkle-free sheetmetal. A 2000 F-150 front end was swapped in place of the original '98 nose for an aggressive look, and the fenders were smoothed by shaving the antenna and emblems. Moving rearward, C.J. shaved the door handles, the gas filler door, and the factory taillights. Out back, the tailgate was welded shut, relieved of its factory handle, and fitted with custom Hi-Tech LED taillights on the top edge. A custom roll pan was welded seamlessly to the bed sides and tailgate skin to bring the whole smooth look together at the tail end. After the welders had cooled and the sanding dust had settled, the body resembled a well-crafted sculpture. It was time to squirt this rolling work of automotive art with House of Kolor Lime Time Green. C.J. commissioned the help of friend and painter David Mendoza in completing Primetime Lime's flawless paintjob. On the last pass with the paint gun, the two dusted on some clear, and color-sanded and rubbed the paint to bring out shine and depth. Completion of the flawless paint- and metalwork led C.J. and his wild ride to Mendoza's Upholstery in Phoenix for some trick stitchwork.

Lacing out the cockpit of Primetime Lime with plush threads, the crew at Mendoza's covered the seats in an attractive combination of light and dark gray leather highlighted by green piping. The dash was also given the rich leather treatment, while the center console and radio bezel were smoothed and painted green for an aggressive contrast. For entertainment, 7-inch-wide Icon TV screens were sunken into the headrests by C.J. at DTS Fabrication. Todd Jubert of The Interior Shop in Phoenix hooked up the factory door panels with some aftermarket upholstery accents to bring the inside all together.

C.J. Silvey has successfully completed the second build-up on his sensational F-150. The truck now features all of the ground-scraping and rim-tucking characteristics that he was going for. C.J. would like to thank his sponsors Weld Wheels, MagnaCharger, Trenz Manufacturing, Line-X, Oasis Off Road, Catz Fet, 3-D Max Graffix, and Mothers Polishes, Waxes, and Cleaners for making Primetime Lime a shiny, trophy-winning reality. Watch out for this F-150 on the show circuit this season, because its new attitude is sure to be recognized.