Our Heavy-Hitter Hits the Streets

After two years of dedication, long nights, and plenty of wrench time, Project Rocky, our 1979 Chevy C10, is finally complete and proudly featured on the cover of this issue of Street Trucks magazine. This build has been a true journey filled with challenges, lessons, and the support of an incredible team and industry partners who helped bring this vision to life.

The goal was clear from the start: take a tired ’79 C10 and turn it into a head-turning, road-ready machine. Stripping it down revealed years of wear, but thanks to KBS Coatings and its Rust Seal paint, we laid down a solid foundation with a tough satin-black finish to protect the frame. From there, we dove into the suspension, working with Rock Auto for OEM components and a combination of parts from BDS Suspension and Rough Country for the lift kit that gave Rocky its aggressive stance. 33-inch Toyo tires and American Force wheels were paired to make the most of the C10’s aggressive stance. To keep that power in check, Performance Online provided a much-needed disc brake upgrade.

No build is complete without a strong heart under the hood, and for that, we turned to Summit Racing for a 5.3L LS crate engine. With accessories
from Lokar Performance and CVF Racing, everything fit together seamlessly, and with that Holley Terminator system dialed it in, Rocky roared to life in true LS fashion.

This truck isn’t just a showpiece, it’s built to driveÑproving that classic American craftsmanship and modern performance can come together in one incredible ride.

The details are what truly set this truck apart. Mar-K body-side moldings restored its classic character, while Classic Industries’ fender well trim added that extra touch to the fresh Ferrari Red paint sprayed to perfection by Street Dreams in Ocala, Florida. Inside, we installed a TMI Cruiser bench seat and matching door panels for a factory-meets-modern feel, and topped it off with an Ididit steering column, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Gen-5 AC system from Vintage Air to keep things cool.

With the truck nearly complete, the final push to get Rocky to the SEMA Show was intense. We tackled the electrical system with a Painless Performance wiring harness at ProBros Hot Rods, plumbed the fuel lines with Hot Rod Fuel Hose components, and fine-tuned everything to ensure Rocky would perform as good as it looked. The long haul across the country to Las Vegas was the final test, and Rocky passed with flying colors.

This truck isn’t just a showpiece, it’s built to drive—proving that classic American craftsmanship and modern performance can come together in one incredible ride. None of this would have been possible without the help of key people like David Shankin, Roger Stalinski, Nick Provost, Nicole Hamilton, Dack Brown, Shane Murphy, Shawn Brandow, and Mike Bellow. Their hard work and dedication made this truck what it is today.

Truck Specs

 ENGINE

Summit Racing 5.3L LS crate engine
Estimated 400+ hp
TCI StreetFighter 4L60E transmission
Holley Terminator EFI system
Lokar performance accessories
CVF Racing mid-mount drive system
Custom Dynaflow exhaust system
Hot Rod Fuel Hose fuel lines and fuel tank
Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
Cold Case radiator

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

Rough Country spindles
BDS rear lift components
Performance Online disc brake upgrade, brake booster and master cylinder

WHEELS & TIRES

American Force 22×12-inch wheels
Toyo Open Country 33×12.50×22 tires

BODY & PAINT

Shop: Street Dreams, Ocala, FL
LMC Truck grille and components
Ferrari Red paint
Mar-K body-side moldings
Classic Industries fender well trim
United Pacific lighting
Eddie Motorsports sideview mirrors
Painless Performance wiring harness

INTERIOR & STEREO

Shop: Twisted Artisan
TMI Cruiser bench seat with black with red stitching
Ididit steering column
Dakota Digital gauges
Vintage Air Gen-5 AC system
Custom Autosound stereo receiver and speakers
Eddie Motorsports steering wheel