Imagine what the world would be like if everyone converted their hobbies into full-time jobs. This would be a world where people worked with glee - maybe even for free. Fast-food employees would serve burgers with a song, police officers would issue traffic citations with a pep talk that would validate your value as a human being, and truck enthusiasts would go pro and build a mini SUV - that's just what Jeremy Miranda did. The long-time hobbyist started his own business in Pompano Beach, Florida, almost two years ago, naming it Bulletproof Fabrication. He specializes in custom frames and air suspensions. "My love for the sport makes my job seem fun and exciting," says Jeremy. "Every day is something new!"
Yes, he loves his job. Apparently, he loves lowered vehicles too, which must be why he decided to drop a '99 Chevy Blazer. That and the fact that he has always wanted to build a mini SUV. A 14-inch drop from stock characterizes this ride, converting the top-heavy sport utility into a pavement-pounding street sled. Gum-scraping antics are facilitated by 2-inch Belltech drop spindles and Firestone 2600 airbags. Jeremy also removed a section of the frame that stepped down 1-3/4 inches, so that the frame would lie flat and straight.
The body's color scheme is reminiscent of a psychedelic Mai Tai or a Cubist thunderstorm. Bones Designs, of West Palm, laid on many PPG paints and Tribal Graphics for the Blazer's South Florida flourish. Jeremy also recruited Mad Mods from Hollywood, Florida, to make some modifications to the body that includes shaved hood squirters, a roof rack, and a sliding ragtop. The Blazer sports a set of HID headlamps, Euro Clear taillights from in.pro.CarWear, and an Alter Image roll pan.
Jeremy also tweaked a triangular four-link rear suspension from TCI Suspension, customized the rear cantilever, shortened the TCI unit to fit the vehicle, and chromed the unit. Monroe shocks damp the suspension, and converted '98 S-10 brakes stand ready to hold fast four 19x8-inch Boyd Coddington Spyders wrapped by Nitto P225/35R19 tires. The wheels peer through the fenders with a 4-1/2-inch offset like five-eyed arachnids guarding their spider holes.
Under the hood, nothing has changed except for a deep-cycle Optima Yellow Top battery that helps power the sound system. In the powertrain, he replaced the factory driveshaft for one that is 1-1/4 inches smaller in diameter.
Inside, Jeremy installed a painted dashcap and a custom center console made of painted plastics. He re-covered the stock seats with black suede and leather Katzkins, complementing a black carpet and headliner that contrasts with the graphics on the Blazer's body - all in all, a good, basic interior color scheme that is guaranteed to match with anything a passenger might be wearing and, as a bonus, is quite slimming. A well-outfitted audio/video system from Alpine keeps the blahs away while cruising the beaches or thumping in the parking lot at a show. An Alpine CVA-1005 receiver with a motorized monitor and an AiNet operating system head up the mobile electronics suite. Two Precision Power amplifiers, the 400Wx4 A400.4 and 1,200Wx2 A1200.2, feed the MB Quart 6-1/2-inch separates in the doors and dash and the six Boston Acoustic Pro subwoofers arrayed in the cargo area. An Alpine DVD-5200 provides video entertainment and Monster Cable connects all of the components.
Jeremy's Blazer won First Place at Slamfest 2002 and Blood Drag 2003, and he will no doubt continue to make the rounds with this and future creations. This is no surprise, really. The man loves his hobby and his job. He thanks Bones of Bones Designs and all his friends and family for helping do what he loves. "I turned my hobby into a career. That makes me happy." And when he's happy, we're happy.