Infectious Style: Ivan Zavala’s Full-Size Mini-Truck Transformation

Ivan Zavala’s Full Size Mini-Truck

Mini-trucks have got to be one of the most unique and infectious genres of custom vehicles of all time. They just have a style all their own. They’re loud, they’re low, and once you get mixed up in building and driving them, there is no going back. Even when venturing out and dabbling with other types of automobiles, the mini-truck aesthetic tends to follow in some degree of form and function. 

Ivan Zavala of Claremore, Oklahoma, knows exactly how that goes. He grew up in Texas during the ’90s and had plenty of exposure to custom mini and full-size pickups back then. This influential period of the sport truck scene holds a special place in the minds and souls of many enthusiasts, but as we get a little older, we must face one important fact. A slammed and bodydropped mini is fun while we’re young, but it gets harder to squeeze into one as a full-grown adult. Let’s not act like that isn’t a real factor these days.

“I always knew I wanted a wild mini-truck with the crazy graphics and billet wheels,” Ivan admits. “If I had built one way back in the day, it would have been a true mini model for sure, but since I am just now getting around to it, I decided to build a mini-inspired full-size truck.”

Going Viral

He didn’t know it back when he started, but Ivan began his project during one of the weirdest times of our collective lives. COVID knocked us all upside down in 2020. In fact, we’re still dealing with certain repercussions from it, but none as impossible as they were that year. We don’t have to remind anyone just how bad it got. Life as we knew it came to a screeching halt, but things had to move on—somehow.

“I bought this truck for my birthday in April of 2020,” Ivan explains. “I purchased it with the sole purpose to build, and luckily Jake McKiddie at Phat Phabz in Choctaw, Oklahoma was still working at full speed all throughout the quarantine and was available to take on my project.”

While Jake was able to take care of whatever he could physically lay his hands on, the guys did run into some issues while attempting to source key components to make progress with upcoming phases in the build.

…Ivan quadrupled down on his order by requesting four extra hides of the same Lambo orange leather used on the steering wheel.  

Laid to Rest

Jake paired the Silverado with a full custom frame, and he even performed a bodydrop to allow the truck to sit further down on the set of big wheels that Ivan was dead set on running. This is where the first major issue popped up.

“I first wanted to go with a staggered set of front 28-inch wheels with 30s at the rear, but Jake convinced me to just go with 30s all around,” Ivan adds. “I initially ordered a set from Intro, but they just couldn’t make it happen due to the struggles associated with COVID. It was understandable, but I was forced to look elsewhere. I contacted MTW and asked if my order could be moved up the list since Jake had already completed the frame install. We were in a pinch, but the wheels were soon on their way.”

Outer Limits

After fitting the wheels and getting the Wilwood 16-inch rotors and 6-piston brakes to function properly, Ivan’s Silverado was ready for the next round of customization. The truck was taken to S&R Designs in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where Ryan Kidd and Steve Anderson were awaiting its arrival. Once there, they shaved the bed stake pockets, all plastics in the bed, and the gas door clean off the Chevy. The rear bumper and top of the tailgate were also cleaned up. Next, the bed floor was raised to accommodate the much lower ride height, and custom sheetmetal wheeltubs were also fabricated for both ends to house the much larger wheel-and-tire combo. To give the Silverado a different look than the rest, a 2023 High Country grille and LED lights were incorporated into the front-end restyling.

The exciting part of the exterior overhaul came when it was finally time to apply the insanely cool ’90s mini-truck style paintjob. The colors and graphics seem to have jumped straight off the pages of a comic book! No surface is spared, as the colors run clear across the smoothed rear bumper and into the bed with yellow paint that features a unique splatter design that makes for an interesting touch. It took two trips and waiting though a six-month delay for paint and materials, but the masterful work of art was completed as soon as the guys had all the tools required to prep and spray all the layers of paint and clear.

“The truck won the best paint award at the Bandas Y Trocas show in Fort Worth,” Ivan says.

With the combination of colors artfully intertwined, it’s easy to see why the truck made such an impact on the judges.

Cool and Comfortable 

Ivan was soon faced with the decision of how to reconfigure the interior space of his Silverado. It all started with ordering a custom leather wrapped/carbon fiber clad steering wheel from AZA Auto Wheel. With the company being in the Ukraine, the estimated time of arrival for the wheel to reach his Ivan’s doorstep was looking right around six months. Instead of looking elsewhere for alternate unit to be delivered much sooner, Ivan quadrupled down on his order by requesting four extra hides of the same Lambo orange leather used on the steering wheel. His plan was to reupholster the truck’s seating, console, dash, and all panels within the interior. Draztik Changez of Houston then lent a hand to color-match a handful of interior pieces with matching Gravity Blue paint pulled from the exterior surface. JA Custom Audio also participated in the interior overhaul by wiring up Supreme Sounds speakers and amps that have taken up residence on the back cab wall.

“Overall, this project has taken around three years from start to finish, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife Cristy—she is always ready to hit a truck show or take a trip to a shop with me,” Ivan concludes. “Thank you to my friends Del Karlos Jorge, Joe, Miguel from Team Billet, Ryan and Steve from S&R, and especially Jake and the whole Phat Phabz crew for helping get the build rolling. It has always been a dream of mine to have a truck that stood out for being so different, and that also had those classic ’90s to early 2000 mini-truckin’ vibes that I fell in love with years ago.”

TRUCK SPECS

OWNER

Ivan Zavala 

• 2020 Chevy Silverado
• Claremore, OK
• Team Billet

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

• Shop: Phat Phabz, Choctaw, OK
• Chevy LT 5.3L
• 2.9L Whipple supercharger
• Magnaflow 3-inch exhaust system
• 2020 6L80E transmission
• Custom driveshaft

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

• Full custom Phat Phabz frame
• Bodydrop
• Powdercoated frame and suspension components
• Custom fuel cell
• Two Viair 480 compressors
• Air Lift air management
• 60-gallon tank
• Custom fuel cell

WHEELS, TIRES & BRAKES

• 30×9 and 30×12 MTW Sick 5 wheels
• Wilwood 16-inch rotors, 6-piston calipers all around
• Custom master cylinder relocated under frame

BODY & PAINT

• Gravity Blue, Mimosa Pearl, Mercury Vapor Pearl paint by Ryan Kidd and Steve Anderson @ S&R Designs, Fort Smith, AR
• Old-school ’90s-style graphics
• Shaved bed pockets, all plastics in bed, gas door, bumper, and top of tailgate
• Raised bed floor
• Custom sheetmetal wheeltubs front and rear
• 2023 Chevy High Country grille and LED lights

INTERIOR & STEREO

• Shop: Enrique’s Sunroof and Custom Interior, Houston
• Seats shaped and shaved headrests
• Color matching by Lalo @ Draztik Changez, Houston
• AZA Auto Wheel Lambo orange leather upholstery and carbon fiber steering wheel wrap
• High Country instruments
• Supreme Sounds speakers
• Speaker and door panels by JA Custom Audio, Houston

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What types of mini trucks are available for sale and what are their features?

Discover Our Range of Mini Trucks for Sale

Looking for a versatile and compact vehicle? Our selection of mini trucks might be just what you need. Here’s what’s available and what each model offers:

1992 4×4 Mini Truck

• Transmission: Four-speed with HI & LOW range
• Mileage: Approximately 20,000 miles
• Features: Push-button axle lock, heater in cab, windshield wipers, turn signals, headlights, and interior lighting
• Current Use: Off-road only, but soon eligible for street use in Oklahoma

1990-1995 Selection of Mini Trucks

• Drive: 4×4 capabilities
• Condition: Each truck has low mileage and has been meticulously reconditioned in Japan
• Transmission: Four-speed with HI & LOW range
• Current Status: Off-road use, anticipated to become street legal in Oklahoma

1991-1994 4×4 Mini Truck

• Mileage: Low mileage ensures longevity
• Transmission: Five-speed for more control
• Additional Features: Comes equipped with windshield wipers, turn signals, headlights, interior light, and a heater
• Availability: Multiple units in stock, each reconditioned in Japan for superior quality

1997-1998 Compact Truck

• Drive Train: 4×4 with reliable performance
• Mileage: Low for extended lifespan
• Transmission: Five-speed manual
• Features: Include heaters, windshield wipers, headlights, turn signals, and interior lighting
• Use Case: Presently off-road only but will soon receive street-legal status in Oklahoma

Contact Us

For more information on these reliable mini trucks, don’t hesitate to get in touch. All models are currently optimized for off-road use but are projected to be street-legal in Oklahoma soon.

What is the process for mini trucks to become street legal in Oklahoma?

Making Mini Trucks Street Legal in Oklahoma: A Step-by-Step Guide

Owning a mini truck can be a fantastic asset, whether for off-road adventures or everyday purposes. However, before you can hit the streets of Oklahoma legally, there are essential steps to follow.

Current Status

As of now, mini trucks are designated primarily for off-road use in Oklahoma. But, excitingly, they are on track to become legally approved for street use.

Steps to Legalize Your Mini Truck:

1. Understand State Regulations:
   • Keep updated with Oklahoma’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) for changes in regulation concerning mini trucks.
2. Modify Your Vehicle:
   • Ensure your mini truck meets all safety and design standards required for road vehicles. This might include installing appropriate lighting, mirrors, and speedometers.
3. Inspection:
   • Schedule a comprehensive inspection with Oklahoma State inspectors. They will verify that your vehicle adheres to the required standards.
4. Emissions Testing:
   • Your truck might need to pass emissions tests to qualify as street legal in some regions.
5. Documentation:
   • Prepare all necessary documentation, including proof of ownership, inspection certifications, and modifications records.
6. Registration and Insurance:
   • Once all modifications and inspections are complete, register your mini truck with the Oklahoma DMVand secure an insurance policy that covers on-road use.
7. Contact for Guidance:
   • For specific requirements or clarification, reaching out to local auto experts or the Oklahoma DMV can provide detailed assistance.

By following these steps, you can transform your mini truck from an off-road marvel to a trusted street vehicle in Oklahoma. Always ensure compliance with the latest laws and guidelines to enjoy a hassle-free driving experience.

Are there any restrictions on the use of the mini trucks currently for sale?

Restrictions on Mini Truck Use

Currently, the mini trucks available for sale are designated for off-road use only. This includes activities like farming, hunting, or recreational driving on private property. As of now, they aren’t street legal in many areas, including Oklahoma.

However, there’s good news on the horizon for Oklahoma residents. Plans are underway to grant these mini trucks street-legal status in the state. Once this change takes effect, you’ll be able to drive them on public roads, subject to certain regulations.

For the most up-to-date information on legal use and restrictions specific to your area, it’s best to reach out directly to local authorities or consult the seller. They can provide detailed guidance on when you might be able to take your mini truck beyond the trails and onto the streets.