1985 Chevy C10 Buildup - LMC Truck

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 - a well-worn but relatively straight '85 Chevy C10 with minimal rust. Let the disassembly carnage begin.
Here is what we started with - a well-worn but relatively straight '85 Chevy C10 with mini
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.
The engine compartment houses a newer fuel-injected 350 out of a '91 Chevy Suburban. It do
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.
Out in front of the Hill's Hot Rods shop, Ron Knowles stripped the entire adhesive off the

Once all the original trim, mirrors, and taillights had been removed, the bed was unbolted from the frame and set on a dolly.
Once all the original trim, mirrors, and taillights had been removed, the bed was unbolted
The truck sat in the shop with the bed removed, while the guys continued the teardown process.
The truck sat in the shop with the bed removed, while the guys continued the teardown proc
The original windshield was removed, since it will be replaced with fresh glass from LMC Truck once the truck is finished.
The original windshield was removed, since it will be replaced with fresh glass from LMC T

The rear window was also taken out and set aside for use elsewhere.
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.
Before removing the doors, the side glass was first taken out (shown). Then, the doors wer
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.
Since we planned an elaborate classic Corvette-style custom dash, we won't need the stock

The fenders are unbolted and removed for bodywork to be covered in a future installment.
Project Red Rocker sat in the shop, stripped of its bed, doors, front clip, interior, and glass. Soon, it will not even look like the same truck.
Project Red Rocker sat in the shop, stripped of its bed, doors, front clip, interior, and
During a short break, Jimmy Davis (yellow shirt) from Stan's Car Stereo in Lubbock stopped by to get a look at the inside of the cab. He is the talented audio craftsman who will be constructing the custom and classic Corvette-inspired dash, custom console, and rear cab structure, which will hug the seats like an old Corvette. That's Jason Hill behind the wheel, while Ron Knowles looks on.
During a short break, Jimmy Davis (yellow shirt) from Stan's Car Stereo in Lubbock stopped

With the truck taken apart, Randall Tharp proceeded to grind the paint around the holes where the original bolt-on driprails once sat and the holes where the C10 trim wrapped around the back of the cab. These holes will be welded up and forgotten.
With the truck taken apart, Randall Tharp proceeded to grind the paint around the holes wh
Randall (right) welded up the driprail holes on the driver side, while Ron smoothed down the welds on the opposite side.
Randall (right) welded up the driprail holes on the driver side, while Ron smoothed down t
Randall gave his welds some attention with the grinder before the metal was smoothed to perfection with finished bodywork.
Randall gave his welds some attention with the grinder before the metal was smoothed to pe

Nathan sanded the roof a bit, while Ron inspected things underneath.
With the front clip completely off, Ron and Nathan extracted the engine and transmission to allow for better access to the frame and front suspension. We planned to use this powerplant and transmission and clean it up with a collection of billet detail items and fresh paint. Doing this, will also help keep the project's budget in check.
With the front clip completely off, Ron and Nathan extracted the engine and transmission t
After a few days, the truck was a shell, and with most of the suspension yanked out and the front Bonspeed billets and Nitto rubber mounted up, we were able to size up approximately how low this classic would go. The custom dash, console, and rear cab framework was starting to shape up and will be highlighted in a future article. Stay tuned to the sizzling creation of Project Red Rocker!
After a few days, the truck was a shell, and with most of the suspension yanked out and th