With the underside and performance aspects covered, it was time to deliver the F-350 to the paint specialists at L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California, where lead artist Theresa Contreras took over and worked her magic to the top side of the Ford's stock, black sheetmetal. Also fit to the truck were SSE's entire catalog of new polyurethane components, including 3-inch fender flares, front fender vents, a windshield wiper cowl, a bumper cover, Speed Grille lower front bumper valance, and Speed Grille shell fit with black chrome inserts. L&G also shaved all of the factory roof cab lights, flipped the tailgate handle, and filled the unnecessary emblems before adding the candy-apple hues, courtesy of DuPont Hot Hues. Over the factory black, Theresa applied DuPont Hot Hues Hot Raspberry Candy over Pacific Gold. Then, the center color was Pacific Gold with a Molten Orange Candy Fade, followed by a Candy Yellow stripe pinstriped in silver. Also added was the Ford Motor Company Accessories Super Duty logo lettering. Under the LEER Series 800 lockable tonneau cover is a Wise Industries carpeted bedliner. Rounding out the new exterior treatment is a set of Recon Light Accessories Line of Fire tailgate light bars, as well as a set of smoked dualie fender lights.
While the truck was still drying, the interior was basically gutted and the seats were delivered to Katzkin, whose aftermarket seat division took over and transformed our stock, tan cloth seats into leather. The new tan with milk chocolate inserts are supple enough to the touch and do an expert job of complementing the aggressive appearance of the Super Duty. While awaiting the seats return, the truck was sent over to the audio kings at Audio Innovations in Glendora, California. Once there, Joe Provenzano worked over the stock audio system by adding a complete Sony Mobile Xplod Audio system, complete with DVD player. In addition, four replacement Xplod 5x7-inch component plate speakers are powered by dual four-channel amplifiers, which were wired into the system. The coup de gras was the pair of 8-inch subwoofers added to a custom box behind the rear seat. For rear-viewing pleasure, a pair of 5-inch color LCD headrest monitors were installed, as well as an additional roof-mounted Vizualogic 11-inch LCD screen DVD player. Rounding out the audio and visuals, a Vizualogic rear license-plate-mounted back-up camera was also added. Finally the truck was send to HOT Motorsports for a full wrap of window film.
The lifted and lowered F-350s rolling down the street together during the SEMA Show was a spectacle all of its own. While the lowered F-350 took home a Ford Design award, we personally think the lifted F-350 got more attention and "oohs and ahhs" during the show than any of the other vehicles. While the trucks are not ultra-aggressive in the graphics department, both appear to be fresh and clean, and owe a large part to a clean-looking true candy-apple Hot Hues paint scheme.
It was a timeless testament to three great combined resources, Truckin' magazine, SSE, and Pro Printers working together. Onward and upwards to the next project!