Ain’t No Half Steppin’ Jason Lowery’s Step mixed up step side
Everyone is different when it comes to starting a new build. Some people buy the vehicle after months or even years of research, then slowly and meticulously order the parts they want for it over time. Other people dive in head first, ordering pallets of parts for the truck before it can even drive somewhere. However, when it came to Mississippi resident Jason Lowery; regardless of the HOW, he knew he was going all in and cutting no corners to do it. Though as time went on, many parts of the build were completed, then re-done, then possibly even changed again after that; Lowery was pushing himself to make sure the build was every bit of what he had envisioned for it. Feeling lucky off from the beginning, Jason came across exactly what he wanted; a great starting point with a 1972 Chevrolet cab. With 1972 being his birth year, it seemed like it was immediately meant to be. Wasting no time, Lowery and his friend Jeff Simpson of J Rodz began to prep the cab for paint. Putting in work on the rockers, cab corners, and even the custom metalwork started coming together. Well on his way to seeing his vision become reality and cab in hand, the truck began to come together bit by bit after that. After locating a full stock frame from a different ’72, Jason and Jeff got to work on a one of a kind chassis.
Although the frame started as a stock 1972 truck frame, very little of that platform stayed that way. As ideas became reality, it was obvious it was being built for not only a life closer to the ground, but a smoother riding more powerful truck than the seventies had ever seen. After the long list of parts were installed on the newly modified frame, the Airlift 2600 bags were installed. Allowing the ’72 new opportunities at ALL heights, it was time for its’ new heart, the power plant of this GM. A Chevrolet 5.3L V8 327 was dropped into place after some custom firewall work to fit correctly. By using a 4L80E transmission, a custom driveshaft, and a 3:73 posi rear end Lowery made sure he could USE the power this truck now had to offer. Putting the cherry on top, they decided both the frame and the motor should be painted grey to match the overall scheme of the truck.
As the rest of the truck came together, the body rolled out of paint; (including that sneaky GMC front end addition to match the bumpers) and the puzzle began taking real shape. Much like a puzzle, many pieces were tried in different ways, in different places, only to be changed or replaced along the way. After many decision changes and swap-outs Jason began to refer to his project as Back Steppin’. It seemed like they were always stepping back and redo parts of the vehicle they were not fully happy with so it seemed appropriate and it stuck. This is the most thorough way we can describe all the work bodywork put into this truck without adding three additional pages of text. Seriously… they did that much work and that many little touches. After settling on the wheels they felt fit the trucks personality best and installing a GORGEOUS hidden hardware wooden bed-floor, the truck rolled through interior before it made its first completed appearance in the world, dropping jaws everywhere.
Jason wanted to take a second and give a special thanks to his wife Tiffany Lowery, his son Caleb, and his father George for being patient with him while he got Back Steppin’ built. Also, a huge thank you to Nate Mittlesdorf, Bryan Brooks, Chase Cooper, and every other friend who played a part in completing this build on any level. Last but not least endless thank yous to Jeff Simpson for the countless hours of hard work he put in being a master of his craft on this truck. Catch him across the Nation at shows this season and make sure you look at the details in person.
TECH SPECS:
Truck Specs: 1972 Chevrolet C10 / partial 1968 GMCTruck Name: Back Steppin’
Owner: Jason LoweryHometown: Biloxi, MississippiClub: C10 Club MississippiHow long did it take to build: 2 yearsReason for building: “I always liked step-side trucks, especially 67-72 Chevy-GMC trucks, 1972 for the year I was born, 68 GMC front end, I fell in love with.”
Chassis:Stock 1972 frameModern vintage systems wiring harnessCustom brake, fuel, and power steering lines by Jason LoftonRestoMod A/C Customized 2005 Silverado 4×4 Aluminum driveshaft made by Stan’s DrivetrainRear 3:73 posiWilwood master cylinderDEG exhaust cut outs2” early classic spindles2” rear lowering blocksEarly classic rear pan hard barShop: Jeff Simpson @ Jrod’s and Dead End Garage
Front Suspension:Wilwood Disc front brakesAirlift 2600 air bagsKYB front shocksCustom front shock bracketsBelltech front sway bar
Rear Suspension: Wilwood Disc rear brakesAirlift 2600 air bagsKYB rear shocksCustom rear shock bracketsShop: Jeff Simpson @ Jrod’s and Dead End Garage
Exhaust:Speed Engineering stainless headersCustom 2.5” exhaust by Robert KingExit drop down before rear axleEngine- 2006 Chevrolet 5.3L V8 327CPP LS engine mountDirty Dingo LS partsLS Simple bracketsLS Champion radiator w/ Dual fansLSI intake manifoldLS simple A/C & alternator bracketsCustom LS2 engine coversSpectrum intakePainted wool grey to match frameBattery moved to driver rearTuned by Clay OsburnShop: Nate Mittlesdorf & Jeff Simspon at J RodzTransmission- 2006 GM 4L80EModified a stock transmission cross member to fit Painted wool grey to match frameB&M transmission coolerDead End Garage brackets under core support
Wheels: Hot Rod by Boyd ChinookCustom brushed hoopCustom painted wool gray center insertsFront: 20×8.5” tires: Atturo AZ850Rear: 22×12” tires: Atturo AZ850
Body:Smoothed front and rear bumpersPainted front bumper and GMC grilleCustom grille inserts with matching cowl custom insertHidden hood latchShaved under hood holesCustom radiator coverShaved facotry inner fendersShaved firewall with no gutterBlower motor deletedShaved cowl to match defrost vents from top viewBrothers one piece side glassShaved back cab wallSoky Classics smoothed bumpersShaved inner fendersCustom rear tubs for rear tires4 LED Oracle lights in the grilleRoll pan by Mod Shop w/ long LED tail lights to match side markersGSI exterior door handlesFlip down license plate / air port accessPrecision weather strippingTinted glassTruck Bed- New Box w/ shaved end caps on both ends from Mar-K3” mini tubs from J RodzSmoothed tail gate from Mar-KFully custom stained and cleared bedwood w/ hidden bolts trim from Mar-KEddie Motorsports side hingesShop: Jeff Simpson from J Rodz. as well as help from Souless Innovations design, Brian Brooks and other friends. Paint:Overcast Metallic- Chroma Premier from a 2017 GMC DenaliDupont Base coat ClearWool grey frameShop: Jeff Simpson at J Rodz in Perkinston, Mississippi
Interior:Black leather bench bucket style seatAuto meter gaugesRestomod dual rotating AC Vents, controls, ignition, and charging portHotrod by Boyd Chinook steering wheelBillet Specialties pedals and inner door handlesCustom middle section w/ slider that contains mult. Compartments, holds air tank gauge and bluetooth controllerComplete custom dash w/ glovebox lid containing gaugesUnder side of truck / cab was color match bed linedShop: Terry at Golf Coast Upholstery
Stereo:JBL stereoBluetooth amp6×9 JBL speakers in custom cab corner boxes