To transform the truck's exterior into an attractive rolling portrait of the extreme end of customizing, it was first left with the capable hands of professional bodyman Steven Harts. The front clip was first replaced with a complete Cadillac Escalade unit to give the nose a more elegant and aggressive appearance. To clear the body of all unnecessary stock elements, Steven shaved the door handles, stake pocket holes, tailgate handle, antenna, wiper squirters, third-brake light, gas door, and stock taillights. A Sir Michaels steel roll pan was molded into the tail-end scenery, and '94 Cadillac taillights provide stylish and attractive stopping and turning signals for those who follow Jessie's ride in admiration.
Once the metal had been worked over and the grinder had done its job of cleaning up all the rough welds, Jessie and Jeff Bryant from McCormick's Paint & Body in Jacksonville, Arkansas, spent some time in front of the paint cabinet picking hues to help kick off the subtle and not-so-subtle modifications performed on the exterior. What they came up with was a bright PPG Toner Yellow base with 14 different hues used in contrasting graphic patterns, present on both sides of the truck. The driver side was graced with slash-cut graphics and flame patterns, while the passenger side features various patterns running through Toner Yellow, with a granite effect down below. With the exterior attitude complete, the metal artwork was color sanded and buffed to a showground shine, and customizing attention was shifted to the bland and stock cockpit.
Enlisting the professional assistance of Jay Lucy of AC Sports in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Jessie set out to smooth and paint every plastic panel on the inside of the cab including the dash, A-pillar posts, and back cab wall plastics. After hours of removing the factory texture, the panels were drenched in yellow liquid to match the exterior base and the graphics from the hood were continued inside on the top of the dash. The requisite aluminum spice was added in the form of a Billet Specialties steering wheel and miscellaneous bits and billet pieces. The stock bench seating arrangement was updated by Buddy's Upholstery in Cabot, Arkansas, with the addition of gray and yellow leather.
To make cruising in Switch Hitter entertaining on the audio end of the spectrum, Jessie had AC Sports wire up and install a kick-tail audio system complete with a Pioneer head unit, Audiobahn amplifiers, Audiobahn mids and highs, and two 10-inch MA Audio subwoofers mounted in a custom-built box behind the seat. A Pioneer DVD monitor unit allows for a bit of viewing pleasure as well
Since its completion, Jessie has shown Switch Hitter at such popular shows as Texas Heat Wave and Showfest in Greenville, Mississippi, and has turned quite a few heads with his bright and bold Bow Tie. If only we could all roll to work sparking frame and tucking rim, the custom truck world would be a better place.