1998 Ford F150 - Show and Go

Daneal Frank's '98 F-150 is a hard truck to ignore. Spotted among a sea of customs, Daneal's truck had just the right combination of bold yet simple two-tone paint, inviting interior, and wheel-tucking stance. We decided it had to be featured in the magazine. The fact the truck drove into the show and made its way home without ever touching a trailer made it even sweeter.

Beginning with an extended cab '98 F-150, Daneal and the crew at his shop, Beyond Reality Customs in Port St. Lucie, Florida, began by shaving off all of the distractions, including the door handles, antenna, third brake light, gas filler door, and tailgate handle. Clean and shaved wasn't enough, as the driver door was given the suicide treatment, the tailgate was hinged like a door, and the bedsides were flared an inch on each side. While the welders were fired up, a roll pan was grafted onto the rear of the bed and the taillight pockets were filled. Now, it was time for the serious surgery, as the truck's floor was moved up 7 inches. The rest of the body-drop was administered to the body mounts in the front of the truck and the new bed floor. Bobby, Beyond Reality Customs' bodyman, got the truck's body straight, cleaned, and ready, before Daneal sprayed the body with candy orange and bright white. Daneal used a ton of paint and clear on his truck to make sure the finish looked smooth and deep. For example, the graphics were buried in 2 gallons of clear, and we think it shows. The finish is mirror flat.

The truck's suspension was next on the chopping block, as Jonah at Area 53 Metal Fabrication in Fort Pierce took on the responsibility of cramming 22-inch wheels under each corner. This truck uses CEC hydraulics with stainless hard lines. With the wheels intruding into the engine compartment, along with the relocated computer and all of the wiring, there wasn't much room left under the hood. Undaunted by the space constraint, Daneal was able to retain the factory air conditioning on the 4.6L Ford. The only other modification of the engine bay was the new wheelwells and the removal of the battery; an Optima YellowTop now rides in the cab.