When GM rolled out all-new fullsize trucks for the 1988 model year, the custom truck world exploded. Buyers flocked to the new, clean body style and rejuvenated the custom truck culture. Truckin' was all over this movement as parts for these great-looking trucks were everywhere. We've featured scores of '88-'98 Chevy and GMC trucks since, but it's still hard to imagine that some of these trucks are now over 20 years old. With a few exceptions, like modern wheels and stereo components, Hollis Foutch's '89 Chevy C1500 looks like it could have been built in 1989. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just proves that subtle, clean trucks will never go out of style.
The popularity of '88-'98 Chevy trucks means that it takes a little more work to get one to stand out in a crowd. Since Hollis had already decided on keeping the body and paint simple, a body drop was in order. Using 1/4-inch wall 2x3-inch rectangular tubing, Hollis reinforced the factory frame to perform a stock-floor body drop. The truck's body mounts were relocated 31/2 inches lower and the bed floor was cut out along the entire perimeter and welded back in with the wheelwells nearly flush with the bedrails to clear the C-notch. With little room in the wheelwells to work with, Hollis used tubular control arms 3/4-inch shorter than factory, Belltech 2-inch drop spindles, and Slam Specialties RE7 'bags and Belltech Nitro Drop 2 shocks. The rear also uses RE7 'bags and Belltech shocks, but this time on a cantilevered two-link that locates a 12-bolt rear that was narrowed 7 inches and filled with Moser axles. B.A.D. Mauler wheels and Nitto NT420S tires were chosen for the silver Chevy, 22x81/2 inches with 255/30R22 tires in the front and 22x10 inches with 295/30R22 Nittos in the rear.
Sticking to the theme, Hollis kept the interior low-key and worked on making every surface look custom. Nearly every bit of plastic in the interior was smoothed and painted before new black carpet was installed. Brad Stevens at DBS Rod Shop in Checotah, Oklahoma, upholstered the low-back buckets and headliner in black leather with ostrich inserts that are both custom and luxurious. A full complement of billet trim adorns the switch panels on the doors, the gauges, light switch, and HVAC controls and ducts. Sill more billet comes in the way of pedals, a column shifter, and a full-billet B.A.D. Mauler steering wheel that matches the 22s on the corners. For plenty of audio while cruising Main St. or the showgrounds, a JVC KD-BT1 head unit sends signals to speakers in the factory locations.
 A later-model center console...  A later-model center console was added between the leather buckets while plenty of billet brightens the interior. |  B.A.D. Mauler wheels tuck...  B.A.D. Mauler wheels tuck deep into the Chevy's fenders. The orange reflection you can see is from the frame and suspension components that were painted with orange toner by Brad Stevens at DBS. |  March billet pulleys, a K&N...  March billet pulleys, a K&N filter, and lots of orange toner and clearcoat make for an interesting surprise under the hood of the Chevy. |