READERS’ RIDES | A GLIMPSE AT OUR READERS’ CUSTOMS

Ford Flashback

JEFF Benavides’s ’40 Ford cab-over-engine (COE) is something out of a dream, staying true to Ford design and ’40s style while incorporating modern performance and flair. Starting life as a part of the Coca- Cola Co. fleet, Michael Luddon began the build in Arizona before Jeff purchased it and completed the work himself throughout the course of six years.

“A TWO-TONE PAINT JOB IN COMPLEMENTARY SHADES HIGHLIGHTS THE ICONIC SHAPE OF THIS ’40S TRUCK, WHILE 19-INCH DUALLY BILLET WHEELS, CUSTOMMADE BED AND 1940 FORD LIGHTS KEEP IT LOOKING CLEAN.”

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A two-tone paint job in complementary shades highlights the iconic shape of this ’40s truck, while 19-inch dually billet wheels, custom-made bed and 1940 Ford lights keep it looking clean. Drop spindles and ’bags keep this step side low and emphasize the build’s clean lines. On the interior, a 1946 Ford car dash has replaced the original, and Superior Upholstery in Camarillo, California, redid the upholstery. A 383 Chevy stroker small-block engine, residing under the bench seat, which folds up for access, has replaced the original engine. The engine is matched by the addition of a 200R4 automatic overdrive transmission, making this truck capable of handling its horses and meeting heavy-duty demands.

With a build that boasts 70 years in the making, this COE links custom ambition with modern means and clean lines from days past.

Legacy Long-Bed

THIS ’62 Chevrolet C-10 now belongs to Matt Byers. Though it originally belonged to his grandfather from 1997 until his death in 2004, it has been passed among family members throughout the years. The Chevy came into Matt’s possession in 2008, when he moved it from Texas to Oklahoma. Up until then, the truck had been sitting unused since 2000.

In 2014, Matt finally had the space to work on the truck. Though at the time his knowledge was limited to oil changes, Matt used the C-10 to broaden his mechanical skills. The C-10 long-bed now has a front disc brake kit, drop spindles and lowered rear coil springs, which give the ride a 3-inch drop in front and a 5-inch drop in the rear. New brake lines and rear drum brake components as well as new ball joints, tie rods and idler arm give the ’62 a smoother and safer ride. Matt has also added 15-inch smoothie wheels with bullet lugs and center caps, all wrapped up in Coker 3-inch whitewalls.

With new life in the form of a tuneup and miscellaneous replaced parts, like a new fuel pump and slave cylinder, this truck has come a long way.

Two-Tone Trucker

THIS ’87 Chevrolet S-10 has seen custom enhancements from performance to appearance in the hands of Mary Cooper. The S-10 has a 2.8L V-6 outfitted with Hedman headers, Holley throttle body and Edelbrock intake, all to keep the engine in peak running order. The functioning cowl hood allows for open-air filtration, while the cross-drilled rotors maintain contact pressure, and steel-braided brake lines reduce stress and keep this custom looking good under the hood.

The interior boasts a complete audio system from Soundstream USA and Pioneer. A 13-inch Grant steering wheel and new carpet and floor mats from LMC Truck give the cab some class.

The S-10’s exterior wears custom two-tone paint from Coker Paint and Body, and a Gaylord’s bed cap, wide body kit from Godfather Customs and fiberglass cowl hood from Stylin’ Concepts keep the ride in shape. Belltech Sport Trucks 2/3 drop spindles, shocks and blocks keep the Chevy grounded. A 1999 grille from Fantom Customs and 18-inch Boss Motorsport wheels and Ironman GT low-profile tires round out the look of this clean compact.

Jesse Smith
’96 Chevy C1500 

This Chevy with a stock 305ci engine features a Belltech 4/6 kit, 2-inch drop springs and 2-inch spindles with flip kit in the rear. It’s riding on 20-inch U.S. Mags Rambler wheels wrapped in General G-Max tires. Interior upgrades include bucket seats from a sport truck along with the center console and 10-inch kicker sub.

“The truck was painted by my dad and grandpa back in 2004/2005,” Jesse says. “It had a BellTech drop spindles and some drop shackles and 15-inch wheels back then. They built it for a show truck so we would all go to car shows on Saturday when I was about 6 or 7 years old. When I turned 16, my grandpa decided to give me his truck. I’m now 22 and will always have these wonderful memories with me and my family in this OBS truck.” What a great story!

Jerami Sharkey
’89 C1500 lifetime Idaho truck

The suspension in this C1500 has been upgraded with a Belltech lowering kit that gives the truck a 5-inch front and 7-inch rear drop. There are 17-inch Weld Racing wheels and a tire combo of 245/45/17 up front and 245/50/17 in the back. Body mods include shaved taillights and stake pockets. The paint and bodywork were completed in 1992—almost 70,000 miles ago! It’s still in amazing shape. A ZR1 roll pan in place of the rear bumper and a billet grille wrap up the exterior. A custom-made aluminum flush fit bed cover was added as well.

Custom bucket seats with a billet steering wheel detail the interior nicely. “It rides like a caddy and it’s a blast from the past!!” says Jerami.

Neill Brown, Sherman, TX
’97 Silverado C1500

This 1997 Silverado C1500 has a stock 5.7-liter 350ci SBC engine. Suspension mods include a 5-inch front and 6-inch rear drop using all Belltech suspension products, including a flip kit and a bolt-in C-notch. 

For rollers, Neill chose 20×8.5 and 20×10 Billet Specialties Speedways wheels with 245/45/20 275/45/20 Nitto Motivo tires. Body mods include color matched SS mirrors, a shaved Bow Tie grille, shaved front and rear bumpers with a frenched license plate, and a color-matched Superliner bedliner. The interior upgrades are an ’88-’94 bench seat and billet dash pieces.

Scott Nelson, Chandler, AZ
’95 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually

To lay the frame in this ’95 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually, a custom Lowboy Motorsports air-ride four-link suspension was installed with Slam Specialties airbags and a narrowed rear axle. A rear disc brake conversion and Accuair E-level air management made it reliable as a daily driver. All suspension and drivetrain work were done by Todd Burton at Lowboy Motorsports. With a factory big block 454ci engine this well-maintained dually has plenty of power to turn the custom cut 24-inch Alcoa wheels.

Bobby Long, Hendersonville, NC
’92 Chevy C1500

Chassis mods on this ’92 Chevy C1500 include a 4-inch stock floor body drop and Accuair E-Level air management by Auto Extremes in Covington, Georgia.

Exterior upgrades are custom one-off Grant Kustoms front and rear bumpers, smoothed and painted door handles, gas filler relocated to the inside of bed, custom built wheel tubs and polished billet grille. House of Kolor Kandy Apple Red over Orion Silver was painted by Tyler Hughey of the paint shop at Auto Extremes.

Interior changes include a smoothed and painted dashboard as well as door panel with a Raceline Blast steering wheel. Black vinyl and suede seats with Torch Red stitching, a black suede headliner and LMC replacement seat belts were all installed by James Auto Upholstery.

Audio upgrades are an Alpine CDA-105 head unit with Polk Audio/MOMO MMC460 midrange speakers. It also includes Stinger sound-deadening mat and custom pinstriping on the glove box by Gooch Freehand Pinstriping.

The wheel and tire combo he chose are 20×8.5 and 20×10 Raceline Explosion 5s and 245/35ZR20XL and 275/30ZR20XL Delinte Thunder D7 tires.

The factory-installed engine was swapped to a 2010 Chevy LS 5.3 liter with powdercoated valve covers, BRP Hot Rods LS motor mounts, PSI motor harness and engine controller kit and Painless Wiring harness.