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.
Blue Suede Shoes
This metallic-blue '90 Chevy Silverado belongs to Chris Brown of Woodbury, Tennessee. The 350ci crate motor backed by an automatic and 3.73 gears definitely gave his roaring Silverado extra power under the hood. The only change to the stock body was a grille shell with a billet insert and billet Bow Tie and a steel roll pan. A CheckMate flush tonneau was also added, and Euro lights were proudly installed all around. Chris told us he hoped his truck was good enough to be in our awesome magazine - well, Chris, it definitely is.
One Man Army
Kevin Mackey of Hammond, Louisiana, bought his '03 Ford F-150. Much to his wife's dismay, he bought it stock to make it a project truck. Luckily, Kevin is a Ford mechanic and was able to do all of the work himself. The list of enhancements begins with a foglight change and ended 17 additions later with flame gauges. Some of the in-between additions included a bull bar insert, a billet fuel door, Tube Tech step bars, a Bully flamed grille, and much more. The interior of the truck has a custom-built subwoofer box that holds 10-inch subs that are pumped by a Kole Audio 400-watt amp. One of the many future changes Kevin plans on personally adding is a 6-inch lift and a custom Mach 1 cold air induction kit. Phew! That's a lot of work for one man to complete. Now, if only he'd put that effort into helping his wife out with the housework.
Po' White Dodge
The life of Steve Cassibo of International Falls, Minnesota, radically changed after he purchased his stock '97 Dodge Ram SST. He had big plans for the pickup, but the cash just wasn't there, so he started modestly. Steve first installed a 3/5-inch drop kit, custom exhaust, and changed the stock mirrors to sport mirrors. This looks like a good start. After a while, he got a little less humble and shaved the door handles, the tailgate handle, and the antenna. Billet inserts were added to the bumper and grille, and the headlights now have painted covers. With the exception of the sound system, the interior is still stock. When you hit the lotto and really dig into your pickup, let us know!
Ooh La La!
This Parisian '95 GMC belonging to Kelly Anderson is the result of an auto accident in high school. He had the choice of either trading it in as-is or taking the insurance money to start rebuilding. Kelly chose the latter. After adding a Flowmaster three-chamber exhaust, 2-inch drop spindles, and a Streetmaster Performance chip, the truck received 17-inch 203s and BFGoodrich rubber. Kelly is very proud of having hand-painted the entire exterior himself. This pickup may not be shown in the Louvre anytime soon, but it is still considered a classic in Paris - Texas, that is.
Eat My Dirt
Warren Jocham of Harrison, Michigan, has Mustang and Camaro drivers eating dust when he pulls out onto the streets with his '96 Chevy S-10. Under the hood lies a 4.3L V-6 with a Powerdyne supercharger and an MSD Ignition system. As Warren screams past you, you might notice the Belltech 2/3-inch drop, the 17-inch wheels, the ARE fiberglass cover, and the JSP rear spoiler. If you happen to be lucky enough to catch him in the rare stopping stance, check out the interior, which includes a 600-watt Sony and Pioneer stereo system. Now that Warren's pickup has been featured in Readers' Rides, he is going to start showing the S-10. Good luck, Warren!
1 OF KND
Inspired by an article he read in the pages of Truckin' (Nov. '03), Juan Avalos of Selma, California, converted this '99 Chevy Tahoe into a Cadillac. In the middle of modifying his truck, he decided to add an '02 Caddy clip. After the clip was installed, a 3/5-inch drop was performed and 22s were put into place. Entertainment comes by way of 2,000 watts of power that push four JL 12-inch subs. The original paint was plain-old blue, but as you can see, was changed to white with a bit of light-blue pearl. This pickup is - as his license plate states - definitely 1 OF (a) KND.
Magical
To believe or not to believe - that is the question the people of Richmond, Virginia, ask themselves when they see this former delivery truck. Armand Carter's GMC must have been introduced to David Copperfield, because one day it was a dumpy trash bucket, and the next, a tip-top truck with a full mural covering the exterior. The wheels are hand-painted, and the interior's chosen hue is red velour. Don't get us wrong; the truck is still used for hauling construction equipment thanks to the spray-in bedliner. Armand hopes to one day pull powdercoated wheels and bumper out of his hat.
You Lookin' at Me?
Carl Melendez of Brooklyn, New York, had this Chevy Tahoe modified to fit in with his City of Rocks neighborhood. With the nose changed to a Denali front end, Air Ride Technologies suspension with Shockwave shocks in front and 'bags in the rear, and a Trenz billet grille installed, Carl is sure to drive around any local mob boss in style. For that added touch, a T-Rex bumper cap was painted to match the Cal-Vu mirrors. Avoiding speeding tickets while leaving the local speak-easy is made possible by a K-40 radar installed up front.
Beauty Is Pain
Marc Fletcher of Ogden, Utah, rescued this former smashed-up, teal '94 Chevy 1500. After fixing the body and converting the teal to white, Marc added 18-inch wheels and Yokohama tires. A 2/4-inch drop kit, Flowmaster muffler, and Street Scene mirrors were also added to help him forget the pain of his truck's ugly past. In order to drown out the sound of its 3-inch pipe, a Pioneer Deck with two 12-inch Audiobahn subs were installed. The only way to really cover the lasting effects of this Bow Tie's past is to get it 'bagged, which is exactly what Marc has planned.
Need for Speed
This daily driven super-street-themed '94 Chevy S-10 not only runs at 400 hp, but is also modified to Columbia, Tennessee, native Chet Simmons' standard of perfection. This jet runs with a 4.3L Vortec CPI V-6, a 64mm throttle-body, Comp Cams valvesprings and retainers, JET chips, and a 150hp shot of NOS fast juice. With more than 20 First Place awards, we're thinking the power isn't the only thing great about this truck.