Molding a custom truck concept into reality is a task few can achieve. It takes vision, patience, and skill to create a rolling custom example of what an automotive artist puts down on paper. This year, we decided to build a wild custom pickup with a ground-hugging stance, large billets, and body modifications galore, teamed up with a full custom dash and interior. In honor of the recent growth spurt of '73-'87 GM haulers rocking the show scene, a square-body C10 was the target truck of choice and we knew just where to find one. It just so happens that the shop where we began to look for our prized project elected to build it. Hill's Hot Rods in Lubbock, Texas, has become well-known for creating some of the hottest C10s around, and after photographing a few of HHR's past creations - shop owner Jason Hill holds the pink slip to the amazing K5 Blazer on this month's cover - we knew there was only one place to go when we decided to embark on this project. The fact that Jason Hill already had a straight and clean C10 in a reasonable price range made the decision to build our clean-shaven and flamed cruiser even easier.
With a clear plan established of the vendors we wished to involve and a rendering drawn up by Ed White of Fast Eddy's Hot Rod Art in Katy, Texas, the crew at Hill's (Jason Hill, Nathan Hunter, Ron Knowles, Randall Tharp, Corey Jilek) began the teardown process. The finished product will wear a bright-red blanket of color from Auto Air Colors draped with traditional flames filled in with a collection of unique Auto Air pearls. A completely shaved body will serve as a perfect canvas for the custom paint, while 20-inch front and 22-inch rear Bonspeed Delta billet wheels mounted on Nitto rubber will finish off the slammed stance made possible by Air Ride Technologies. Baer brakes forward and aft will bring this smooth Bow Tie chariot to a firm stop.
Up front, a '91 Suburban front clip will wear custom billet inserts from Precision Billet Grilles, while the rear will wear a Grant Fabrication roll pan and a tailgate skin from Fender Bender International, housing a Hitech Products custom LED taillight. A Gaylord's tonneau will seal the bed from the elements, while fresh glass from LMC Truck will provide a clear view into the crazy custom interior, featuring a Corvette-style console, dash, and rear cab area, crafted by Jimmy Davis of Stan's Car Stereo in Lubbock and custom-upholstered seats and door panels covered by Fisher Trim in Lubbock. Custom sound components from JBL and Infiniti, fed power by Hooker Audio cabling, will rock the cab. Looking at this impressive list of mods, it's going to be an amazing truck. This month, we will show the truck being stripped down to almost nothing to prepare for the grinding, welding, and metal shaping mayhem that will occur in future installments. Check out the beginning stages of construction of what has come to be known as Project Red Rocker.
Here is what we started with...
Here is what we started with - a well-worn but relatively straight '85 Chevy C10 with minimal rust. Let the disassembly carnage begin.
The engine compartment houses...
The engine compartment houses a newer fuel-injected 350 out of a '91 Chevy Suburban. It doesn't look great but runs like a top. We will have this doghouse up to show status in no time.
Out in front of the Hill's...
Out in front of the Hill's Hot Rods shop, Ron Knowles stripped the entire adhesive off the body after removing all the original side molding.
Once all the original trim,...
Once all the original trim, mirrors, and taillights had been removed, the bed was unbolted from the frame and set on a dolly.
The truck sat in the shop...
The truck sat in the shop with the bed removed, while the guys continued the teardown process.
The original windshield was...
The original windshield was removed, since it will be replaced with fresh glass from LMC Truck once the truck is finished.
The rear window was also taken...
The rear window was also taken out and set aside for use elsewhere.
Before removing the doors,...
Before removing the doors, the side glass was first taken out (shown). Then, the doors were pulled free from their hinges, so the bodywork they required could be done a little easier. The door handles, key locks, and mirror holes will be shaved and filled, and billet street rod mirrors will eventually be mounted to the doors.
Since we planned an elaborate...
Since we planned an elaborate classic Corvette-style custom dash, we won't need the stock metal dash framework. It was tossed in Jason's extremely tall '73-'87 GM parts pile.