BLAST TO THE PAST | 1985 K10

Not Another “Nut and Bolt” Build

WE ALL LIKE SPECIFIC MODELS OF CLASSIC trucks for our own reasons. Most of our dads, grandpas or uncles more than likely had that one truck that made a burning impression on our memory.

For Maccie Stark, proud team member at Brian’s Motorsports in Hendersonville, Tennessee, his truck of choice just happens to be Squarebody Chevy C/K pickups. These trucks are embraced worldwide, and for good reason: They look good at stock height, lowered and slammed, and even lifted. Given that Maccie works for a shop that specializes in 4WD trucks, the latter category was a realm he wanted to explore when he became the owner of his very own Squarebody.

Maccie has had his fair share of projects in the past, so he was ultra-selective in the condition of the truck he would ultimately commit to purchase for building.

“I really don’t have the patience for a full-on build,” Maccie says. “I also have no interest in buying a lot of brand-new parts and completely ‘nut and bolt’ a truck either. I don’t mind good original vintage condition, and flaws don’t bother me one bit—I actually prefer to see a truck with natural dings and other things that come only with age.”

These trucks are embraced worldwide, and for good reason: They look good at stock height, lowered and slammed, and even lifted.

From the sound of it, Maccie was on the search of a truck with character, and we all know there are plenty of these types out there for sale. Luckily, he was able to track down an ’85 K10 that had been previously cleaned up and lightly restored years before. Its condition was the perfect balance of Maccie’s taste for natural wear and tear as well as his eye for a well-kempt, tidy appearance.

“I found this truck in Smithville, Tennessee,” he says. “It is an original Tennessee truck, and I bought it from the second owner who had the truck repainted not too long ago. He actually went through great lengths to get the body and interior back in amazing condition. He had no idea of the ride the truck was about to go on.”

After riding the initial buzz that comes from finding a truck in such great shape, Maccie quickly began ordering parts for some muchneeded engine work.

“The tired, old 305 was smoking, and the truck was too nice to roll like that, so I immediately decided that an LS swap was the way to go,” he says.

Absolute Auto in Madison, Tennessee, assisted in the engine transplant with much success. Hooker motor mounts helped in getting things started, and from there the LS was decked out with some very healthy performance upgrades. New headers from Patriot, as well as a custombent 3-inch exhaust system, gave the engine better breathing capabilities while creating an aggressive roar that would perfectly complement the truck’s soon-to-be aggressive suspension overhaul.

Maccie had his work cut out for him during the remainder of the K10 build. He works with heavy-duty lifted pickups day-in and day-out, so assembling the right suspension package was cakewalk.

“I began ordering lift components after the first day of buying the truck,” Maccie states. “Choosing to go higher with the suspension was naturally a given, and since BDS is one of our largest lift kit suppliers, I wanted them to be part of this special project.”

Overall, the K10’s ride height was jacked up 8 inches higher than stock— an impressive stance, especially with the 26×14 American Force wheels and 37-inch Dakar tires down below.

“With a stance and rolling gear like that, I had to call on Yukon Gear & Axle for some 4.88 gears to keep everything moving smooth,” Maccie says.

At the start of the build, Maccie wasn’t sure just how far he was going to take the K10. Possibilities are always limitless, but he’s a guy who likes to take practicality into heavy consideration.

“My first concern that I wanted to address was that I was going to have to be able to drive my truck anywhere without hesitation, because why build a truck when it can’t even be used for its intended purpose?” he says. “I also wanted to be able to turn heads at shows. This truck is now capable of being driven daily, and it can clean up well enough to enter in all the events we like to hit.”

With a solid game plan locked down, Maccie was successful in creating just the right truck that caters to his very specific yet simple needs.

He made no effort to chase anything more than what he wanted, and in the end, he is left with his ideal nostalgic pickup that will cater to his taste on all fronts.

“Even though I didn’t go through a ‘complete’ restoration, I figure I was still able to get the exact truck I’d build for myself if I had to start from the very beginning,” he says. “Working in a custom auto shop gives me access and insight to many things most people never see, and this truck has been an absolute joy to build and display.

“When I give advice to our customers, I always advise them to create something how they want it, and to not worry about the opinions of others,” Maccie says. “I truly feel you can never go wrong with that approach.”

[divider] BUILD SPECS [/divider]

OWNER

MACCIE STARK,
Hendersonville, TN
1985 Silverado K10

CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION

• Shop: Brian’s Motorsports
• BDS Suspension 8-inch lift kit with front and rear springs, BDS Nitro shocks
• Factory transmission
• Extended front driveshaft, custom aluminum rear shaft
• 4.88 front and rear axle ratios

WHEELS AND TIRES

• 26×14 American Force Sidewinder Concave wheels
• 37/15.50/26 Mark Ma Dakar M/T tires

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE

• Shop: Absolute Auto
• Chevrolet LS 5.3L V-8
• Hooker motor mounts
• Holley accessory brackets
• Spectra fuel pump
• Patriot 1 5/8-inch headers
• Custom bent 3-inch exhaust system with axle dump

EXTERIOR AND PAINT

• Factory grille and bumpers
• Repainted with factory red

INTERIOR AND STEREO

• Shop: Custom Auto Sound
• Factory seats and upholstery
• Factory gauges and steering wheel
• Two-knob Bluetooth stereo receiver
• Custom subwoofer box
• Dual Kicker 10-inch subs, replacement speakers and two Kicker amplifiers