Kyle’s 1986 Crew Cab Longbed C20

Every friend group needs someone like Kyle Fannin. Firefighter by trade, president of C10 Club Maryland by passion, and a dedicated road tripper, Kyle lives for the open road—and believes in the power of Buc-ee’s just as much as any proud “Beaver Believer” should. (Yes, you can get the banner too—just make the pilgrimage.)

Among Kyle’s collection of classic truck builds, one standout project is his 1986 crew cab longbed, affectionately named “Karen.” Complete with a vintage camper shell, Karen isn’t just a showpiece—she’s built for big hauls and cross-country miles. In true pre-show fashion, Kyle decided to tear her down completely just four days before Lone Star Throwdown 2024. But if there’s one thing Kyle knows, it’s how to get moving. A 1,500-mile trek from Maryland to Texas? Just another casual Tuesday.

Under Karen’s hood, you’ll find a 454 big-block engine paired with a Holley Terminator EFI system and a Holley mid-mount kit. Slosh Tubz and matching panels add clean lines to the engine bay. This wasn’t her first public appearance—but it was her second, following a fresh look debut at the Patina Party thrown by C10 Club Maryland and Rustomod Garage.

She’s riding on a 6/8 airbag drop, with 20×9-inch Detroit Steel Wheels (Delrays) in the front and 20x11s out back. Finished in a classy antique white powdercoat, the wheels are color-matched to the Porterbuilt 1-inch narrowed, 1-inch forward control arms and sway bar. Future plans include replacing the TH400 transmission with a 6L80 to bump the fuel efficiency up a whole mile per gallon—from 9 to 10. Yes, seriously.

“Crossing the country in a nearly 40-year-old truck isn’t for the faint of heart,” Kyle admits. And he’s right.

Just a couple hours before his 1 a.m. departure for LST, he decided to throw in a new dash pad and a fresh set of Dakota Digital gauges. Then it was off to Atlanta to scoop up friends Matt Cooper and Alex Walker—caffeine in one hand, cruise control dialed in with the other. He even managed to upgrade his stereo mid-photoshoot, proving that no minute is wasted when you’ve got passion for the build.

One of the most meaningful parts of Kyle’s story? The connection to the camper itself. At one point during the build, Kyle struck up a conversation with a man named Larry—who, it turns out, actually built Karen’s camper decades ago. Back in the early ’70s, Larry handcrafted campers like the one mounted on Kyle’s truck, including another unit that now lives on C10 Club Maryland member Andy Vollmerhausen’s (@uglyc10) rig. Larry shared a wealth of information, ensuring everything on Kyle’s camper was tight, aligned, and true to its origins.

You’ll find Kyle at just about every big truck show—from Texas to Alabama, Tennessee to Pennsylvania, and everywhere in between. He’s already got his sights set on driving Karen out to Dino’s Gitdown later this year, and he’s cooking up plans for Fall Revival too (schedule permitting).

Kyle’s passion for the scene extends beyond the pavement. He’s a guest host on Our Lifestyle Podcast (O.L.P.) and is reportedly working on a new platform with fellow enthusiast Jason (@bd94s10) to share even more C10 culture and stories.

And if you’ve ever had the chance to hang with Kyle, you know the vibes are always good. From shirtless calendar photo ops to matching Buc-ee’s T-shirt dinners, he knows how to bring people together and create memories that last long after the trucks are parked.

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Kyle builds what he proudly calls “reliable junk,” using top-tier parts and dependable craftsmanship. Karen’s cross-country cruise to Lone Star Throwdown is just the latest proof that he’s doing it right.

Catch up with Kyle on Instagram at @kdfannin and follow his club’s builds at @c10clubmaryland. And when you see him at the next show, don’t forget to say what’s up.

As Kyle always says: “WE OUT.”