1998 Ford F-150 - Chariot Of Fire

It wasn't really that long ago that trucks were stereotyped as commercial workhorses, carrying out chores on farms and construction sites, transporting assorted payloads. These laboring tasks are still performed by trucks today, but trucks have changed dramatically, combining modern-day styling, comfort, and performance.

When Truckin' magazine materialized back in 1974, trucks had become more than just workhorses, and the custom truck and van hobby was born. It seemed it was only a few years later that vans vanished, and now that they have been united with SUV fever, today's custom truck world is stronger than ever. Jeffrey Garrett from Spring, Texas, was determined to build a multipurpose custom truck - a '98 Ford F-150. It would be a custom truck he could enjoy as a daily driver, plus show it on the weekends and use it to tow his water toys. During its five-year stint as Garrett's ride, the truck has traveled through numerous states all over America, rolling over 145,000 miles. It was definitely built to be driven.

Taking on a project of this magnitude definitely requires time, patience, and a healthy bankroll. However, Jeffrey quickly realized that all the hard work was well worth it, with smiles and thumbs-up greeting him everywhere he went with his slammed and stylin' F-150.

A truck's stance is its signature of identity, and whether it is lowered or lifted, it has to make a statement. To obtain the adjustable stance, Terrell, at Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston, Texas, installed a Firestone airbag system with KYB shocks on both the front and the rear, with a four-link rear suspension. A set of 18x8-inch American Racing Torq-Thrust II polished aluminum wheels have been placed in the front wheelwells, while the rear wears bold 20s, wrapped by P245/45R18 Nittos in front and P255/35R20 Nitto rubber at the rear.

Although the powerplant was left untouched and completely bone-stock under the hood, the body has been dropped 3 inches by the guys at Ekstensive Metal Works. Up front, Navigator sheetmetal, headlights, grille shell, front bumper, and a Sir Michaels roll pan are flanked by stock Ford F-150 taillights. A cool 40x40-inch ragtop sunroof was installed by the owner.

A SnugTop tonneau maintains both security and style. Bill Carlton, the owner of Ekstensive Metal Works, and the Collision Corrections crew in Houston prepped and block-sanded the truck body into a flawless, straight surface before applying Sikkens Rally Black, giving the truck's surface a silky appearance. Pat Maxwell and the crew at Maxwell Designs in Spring, Texas, laid out the lengthy flames, then sprayed the metalflake yellow, orange, and red colors before pinstriping the wispy flame edges in light blue. The Von Dutch-style pinstripe treatment on the hood and tailgate carries out the old-school look, and the flames continue into diva tails on the tailgate. How about the diva on the hood with the Hot-Rod Lincoln logo?

The opened doors exposes the body color-matched Sikkens Rally Black interior dash, console, and door panels, which were all done by Garrett. Colorful orange, red, and blue Von Dutch pinstripe clusters are sketched atop the dash and glovebox. The plush red carpet contrasts the black leather seats with red leather inserts; the owner once again revealed one of his many talents by stitching the leather himself. The seatbelts were borrowed from an '03 Harley-Davidson Limited Edition Ford F-150. It seems wherever Jeffrey rolls his Chariot of Fire Hot-Rod Lincoln, it's definitely a trophy magnet and a self-satisfying ride.