1995 Dodge Ram - Number One

Bobbie Rader got involved in motorsports at the age of seven, and she's been wrenching on cars and trucks ever since. Bobbie and her husband John began their relationship with cars when they tore into a Chevy Cavalier, but Bobbie quickly decided that she was destined for trucks. After a brief period with a lifted Blazer, Bobby realized that low was the only way to go. After purchasing a dark-green '95 Dodge Ram and bolting on a more asphalt-hugging suspension and 'bags, Bobbie and John decided that they were tired of working on their projects outside. With their priorities in order, they bought a house with an adjacent workshop that offered plenty of space to stretch their creativity. Since their new house was in Willow Springs, Missouri, smack-dab in the middle of the United States, they dubbed their shop: No Coast Kustoms. No Coast Kustoms has built several vehicles since, but the husband and wife team decided to swing for the fences on their first attempt, and the results were astounding.

The most drastic modification that jumps out at any observer is the body-drop. Bobbie and John tackled the task with cut-off wheels and didn't look back until the body was channeled down snugly over the framerails. Without a lot of custom shops and custom trucks in the area, Bobbie had to be innovative when dropping her Dodge, and the custom suspension and chassis prove it. The rear features a custom 2x4-inch box-tubing back half with a stout, triangulated four-link. The front is no off-the-shelf matter either, as custom-fabricated upper and lower arms are suspended by Slam Specialties' 'bags bolted into custom mounts. The pressure to lift those 'bags comes from a 12-gallon tank filled by two Viair 450 compressors. These also feed two more Slam Specialties' airbags in the rear. With their cutting, bending, and welding complete, the Ram was able to swallow 20-inch KMC V2s and 255/35R20 Sumitomo HTRZ rubber in its wheelwells.

The factory dark-metallic green wasn't going to cut it with the new suspension, so the factory trim, body lines, tailgate seams, and rear bumper were removed and the body was massaged into a much more sleek form. A shaved tailgate capped the bed along with an FBI roll pan that holds LED taillights. The cab also received its share of work, as the seams were welded up and the third brake light and door handles were shaved clean. Brandon Ball in Springfield, Missouri, took over where No Coast left off, and sprayed PPG White Diamond paint over the entire body and accented the beltline with a purple-and-silver pinstripe.

Inside of the cab, six 10-inch Memphis subs dominate what used to be extended-cab seating. Memphis 1000D amps provide the power to both the subs and the 5-1/2-inch Memphis component speakers throughout the cab, while a dash-mounted Clarion VRX835 headunit allows total control of the audio. Nearly everything you'd touch in the interior was treated to suede and velvet upholstery, while the remainder of the plastic was smoothed and painted White Diamond to match the exterior. A billet mirror from FBI and a billet steering wheel from BAD provide the finishing touches.

Since No Coast Kustoms wanted to go all-out with the build, they also worked hard under the hood to give the Dodge a power-plant worthy of a custom. Hardcore Mopar fans might cringe, because Bobbie decided on Chevy power for her ride, as a 350ci V-8 and Turbo 350 transmission motivate the Ram. While the brand might not match the rest of the truck, the attention to detail does. The alternator, power steering reservoir, intake manifold, and plug wires match the purple from the interior. Aftermarket upgrades also followed the custom theme, as Gibson headers and a K&N filter and billet cover added good looks as well as performance.

No Coast Kustoms has built several vehicles since they completed the Dodge, but this truck will always be their first. Bobbie would like to thank her husband John for all of his help and for putting her truck ahead of his own project. Also, special thanks go out to Brian Staack for encouraging her interest in custom trucks.