To properly drop jaws at high-society functions, one's wardrobe must be above and beyond all others, and expectations and money cannot be an option. Pulling out the checkbook, Jim again put the truck in the capable hands of truck fashion gurus - this time in the form of body specialist Frank Dewboys, and paint specialists Danny Taylor and Jason Wiseman. Frank grafted the '02 Navigator front clip, fenders, and bumper to the F-150, while adding a TRENZ billet grille insert. The truck was shaved and smoothed by removing the emblems, tailgate handle, door handles, gas door, rear bumper, and bedrails. After completing the backside transformation, Frank added Lightning taillights, a smoothed roll pan, and a color-matched Rhino liner, then raised the bed floor 4 inches. With the body in great shape, free of blemishes, and more than 16 inches lower, the proper three-piece suit was chosen for the F-150. Wanting simple as well as crazy, Jim had Jason Wiseman of Louisville, lay down several coats of PPG Silver Metallic followed by House of Kolor graphics painted by Danny Taylor. After picking up his own jaw from seeing the classy, crazy Ford, Jim knew he had a winner and moved to the interior to finish off the hat trick.
Every piece of interior trim was removed, including the dash, console, seats, and door panels. After a complete custom fitting and measurements taken by Robert's Mobile Audio in Louisville, the blueprints were created for a stand-alone Best of Show interior. The factory Ford seats were recovered in Katzkin Slate Gray leather with suede inserts, and the headliner was replaced with gray suede. The rear seat was removed with the intent on shedding extra baggage and making room for a complete custom Kenwood audio/video system. While at Robert's, the truck received a new Kenwood DVD head unit, a 10-disc changer, and three monitors, including one frenched into the overhead console and one in the steering wheel. Providing plenty of ear-deafening bass for the show-stunner are six 12-inch Kenwood subs in a custom fiberglass paint-matched enclosure which begins in the floorboard, crawls up the back wall, and wraps up to the overhead console. The wall of subs feature free-floating arms designed by Steve Coogle, and the door panels received the custom treatment in the form of custom-built speaker enclosures with bent steel rods housing the tweeters. Removed for space and beauty, the center console was replaced with a flow-through enclosure which houses the changer, amps, and an Xbox. No longer stock, the dash was modified to fit the body-drop, completely smoothed, and painted silver metallic, and includes a molded air gauge for the suspension. After several double-takes, Jim was satisfied with his show-stopping creation.
Prepared for even the toughest of critics, Jim went on a mission to capture all the paparazzi he could, and with our cameras flashing away at his prized possession, a grateful smirk came over Jim's face because he finally won the award he always wanted - a place in the famed pages of Truckin'. As with any black tie affair and award ceremony, Jim had his speech prepared and would like to thank his wife Sharon, daughter Madeline, and all of his great friends who helped him build his gorgeous truck. Proof positive that his Blue Oval is worthy of the red carpet.