Editor's Note: Getting your truck into Readers' Rides is a snap - of the camera, that is. All it takes is a couple of good-quality photos of your ride that are in focus and well lit. Due to the volume of mail we receive, we regret that we cannot return photographs. Please shoot and send photos of your truck only (no people, pets, Polaroids, or printouts) to: Truckin' Magazine, Readers' Rides, 2100 E. Howell Ave., Ste. 209, Anaheim, CA 92806. It is important that you include a detailed description of the modifications you have made to your truck, including any interesting stories behind it. This can include information about the buildup or any special history the truck has.
Slammin' Bow Tie
This slammin' '03 Chevy Silverado belongs to Joseph Fortner of Sunderland, Maryland. The truck sits on a Belltech drop with 24-inch Niche Overide wheels wrapped by Kumho tires. To smooth things out, Joseph shaved the door handles, tailgate, and side panels. A Sir Michaels roll pan was welded on, and the bed was capped off with a Gaylord's tonneau. Other modifications include a billet antenna, a billet grille, and a dual Flowmaster exhaust.
F-150 Gone Wild
Tom Hartzell of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, owns this wild '02 Ford F-150 extended cab 4x4. The Ford is outfitted with some cool off-road modifications. For starters, the truck sits on an RCD 5-inch suspension lift and 16-inch American Racing wheels mounted with BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain rubber. A Westin Bull Bar Skidplate provides front-end protection, while Manik Tube Steps provide an easier entry and exit. A Reflexxion cowl-induction hood replaced the stock item. Not wanting to go topless, the rear of the pickup was fitted with a Ford bedliner and topped off by an Extang tonneau. Tom states that his future upgrades will consist of a 3-inch body lift, dual exhaust, and a new stereo system.
Southern Thunder
Greg Olmo of Boca Raton, Florida, likes to refer to his '01 Chevy Silverado as Southern Thunder. Greg's truck features a Fabtech Motorsports Performance suspension with 35-inch BFGs wrapped around 16x10-inch Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels. Outer modifications include Westin nerf bars, a billet grille, and window vents. The interior has white-face gauges, a Sony Xplod head unit, and a 400-watt Coustic amplifier pushing two JL Audio 10-inch subwoofers.
Hard Work Pays Off
Rutgers University student Matthew Bryant is a hard-working young man. Besides being a full-time student, Matthew also holds down three part-time jobs. That hard work has earned him this cool '99 Dodge Dakota Sport. His pickup features a Street Scene speed grille, In.Pro.Car Wear clear corners, APC carbon-fiber taillights, and a Sir Michaels roll pan. A set of 20-inch American Racing Maxims wrapped by Goodyear Eagles are mounted at all four corners. For improved performance, Matthew added an AIRAID intake and a PowerAid throttle-body Spacer with a dual Flowmaster exhaust setup. Matthew plans to save his money to add a tonneau and a suspension drop in the near future.
How Low Can You Go?
Shannon Latham of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is proud to say that she did all the modifications on her '99 Chevy pickup. As it stands, the truck features a 3-1/2-inch body drop and Air Ride suspension. With the truck hugging the pavement, new wheels and tires were necessary. Shannon chose a set of 20-inch KMC Hellions wheels wrapped in aftermarket skins. For the exterior, the vehicle was outfitted with an Escalade clip and roll pan, while the interior features a billet interior kit. Shannon tells us that the truck is now in the hands of a new owner, and that she plans on starting another ground-scraping project.
Custom IV Life
Nick Cooper of Stockton, California, didn't exactly plan on having his '89 Chevy Silverado this clean. His initial plans called for cleaning up the front end with a billet grille and clear corners. With these modifications in place, Nick was struck with a bad case of custom fever. In that state of mind, Nick realized that the truck wouldn't look right without the addition of a billet antenna, billet wiper covers, billet Bow Tie, Street Scene mirrors, and a Leer fiberglass tonneau. The lower stance is courtesy of a 5/7 Belltech drop, with Nitro shocks on all four corners. The wheels and tires were upgraded to 18-inch Eagle Alloys wrapped in P235/40R18 Wanli rubber. The interior was also upgraded and now features a billet shifter and billet inserts. The sound system consists of a Pioneer head unit with two 10-inch Pioneer subwoofers powered by a 1,000-watt Fosgate Punch amplifier. Since custom fever is incurable, Nick's plans include the addition of a roll pan and ghost flames, not to mention starting other projects.
Distorted
Ryan States of Whittier, California, is a proud member of the Distorted Truck Club and owner of this '03 Dodge Ram 1500. Ryan's ride sits on 20-inch Boss 301 Series wheels encased by Eagle LS tires. The truck features tinted windows and a two-chamber Flowmaster exhaust for added power. The sound system was Ryan's main concern. The solution was to upgrade to a Sony head unit with four Crossfire speakers and two Audiobahn 12-inch subwoofers pushed by a Performance Teknique amplifier.
Split Personality
This '95 Dodge Ram suffers from multiple personalities. On one hand, the pickup wants to be a spark-throwing ride via DJM components, and on the other hand, it wants to be a kick-tail mud-bogging machine, thanks to a 6-1/2-inch lift courtesy of Fabtech and California Off-Road. Regardless of the truck's stance, Ernie Costa of Hughson, California, has himself a pretty trick ride. Ernie installed Eagle alloys at all four corners wrapped by aftermarket skins. This simple upgrade was nice, but Ernie knew that more was needed, so a billet grille was installed, flanked by clear corners. Thereafter, sport mirrors, a roll pan, Euro taillights, and tinted windows were installed. The interior has a Pioneer deck with two 10-inch Kicker subwoofers and a Lightning Audio amplifier. For added power while cruising the streets or traversing a trail, a K&N intake, a JET Performance chip, MSD Ignition wires, pulleys, and headers were installed. The truck is currently in its off-road state of mind, so it sits on 16x10-inch Weld Super wheels mounted by Pro Comp mud-terrain meats.
1 Smooth Tahoe
Blaise Hebert of Jennings, Louisiana, tells us that he loves his '96 Tahoe more than his wife. Well, maybe not that much, but the Chevy is right up there. The truck runs a 5.7L V-8 engine with a Hypertech Power Programmer for some added ponies. Belltech spindles were used up front for a 2-inch drop. The rear uses Belltech leaf springs for a 3-1/2-inch plummet. The exterior was cleaned up with the removal of the factory molding and the addition of some aftermarket accessories. The upgrades include a Sir Michaels steel roll pan, a Distinctive Accessories front bumper with billet inserts and foglights, clear corners, and Street Scene mirrors. The interior features Lloyd's floor mats with the Tahoe logo embossed, APC gauges, and an Alpine stereo with Kicker subwoofers.
Chevy Madness
At the tender age of 17, John Pugh of Henderson, Texas, already has himself one radical '91 Chevy truck. The front exterior modifications include a smoothie front bumper, billet grille, billet Bow Tie, billet antenna, and sport mirrors. Towards the rear, you'll spot Euro taillights, a spray-in bedliner, and a molded roll pan. A set of 18-inch KMC Swags mounted by P255/45R18 Sumitomo radials was fitted at all four corners. Performance upgrades consists of a K&N filter and a Flowmaster exhaust. For stereo upgrades, John installed a Sony Xplod CD player with 10-disc CD changer, amplifier, and two Toby 12-inch subwoofers. John tells us that modifications will continue, including a tonneau, a custom interior, and larger wheels.
Play Time Is Over
Ronnie Dunn from Crowville, Louisiana, is the lucky owner of this '93 Chevy C1500. As you can see, it was strictly business when it came to customizing his ride. The first order of business was to add an impressive set of wheels. The choice was 18-inch Neepers wrapped in P225/40R18 BFG rubber. Thereafter, a set of Firestone airbags was installed for an aggressive stance. With these modifications in place, the body was in need of some upgrading. Ronnie started by adding Euro taillights, a Gaylord's bed lid, and bolting on a phantom grille. From there, a sunroof was cut into place, and a billet dash kit was installed for some interior spice. Ronnie states that his truck has a long history of attending local car shows and taking home coveted trophies.
Head-Turning Silverado
Caleb McMillan of Carthage, Texas, admits there is nothing more enjoyable than turning heads with his '00 Chevrolet Silverado. We're guessing it's the lowered 2/3 drop and 20-inch Mazzi Smash wheels encased in P275/45R20 Goodyear Eagle rubber that first attracts attention. Upon closer examination, the trained eye will also spot a Reflexxion Automotive Products cowl-induction hood, Speed grille, and APC clear corners. As the Silverado drives past, you'll also notice APC sport mirrors, Euro taillights, and a roll pan. You can also hear the Chevy engine through a Flowmaster exhaust, and an upgraded sound system that includes a Pioneer CD unit, two Rockford Fosgate 10-inch subwoofers, and a Punch 250-watt amplifier.