DREAMIN’ IN DIESEL | A Coal Rollin’ 1987 Chevy C30 Pickup

A Coal Rollin’ Chevy C30 Cummins at Ya!

Sometimes, the most exciting thing to see at shows is the one off-the-wall truck that was the obvious product of someone’s countless sleepless nights. While these types of builds don’t usually fit the mold of what’s trending necessarily, it’s these creations that tend to explore a builder’s curiosities and answer those nagging “what-ifs” that seem to bounce around in one’s head all throughout the day.

Mike Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, built a custom truck that goes right along these lines. When he first began planning to cut into his ’87 Chevy C30, he wasn’t looking to follow some cookie-cutter recipe. Instead, he was attempting to manifest a real example of an idea that had only existed inside of his head.

“I wanted to entertain the idea of building a truck model that GM never put into production,” Mike says. “I’ve always wondered what a diesel-powered shortbed Chevy dually would look like and feel to drive. Since one of these were never produced, I figured I would build one on my own.”Custom Touches

Starting with the suspension, Mike figured while he was finally going to build the truck of his dreams, he would throw in all the custom touches he’s come to love while involved in the custom scene.

He dropped in at Eddie’s Chop Shop, also located in Edinburg, to discuss the fabrication of a customized, fully bagged chassis. What the truck ended up with was a fresh back half setup and a narrowed rearend, as well as Michigan Metal Works control arms up front. An Accuair e-Level air management system was also incorporated into the project to control the adjustable air-ride system. To finish off the suspension, Mike then selected a healthy set of 22-inch American Force wheels to give his C30 that rugged dually appearance.

Moving to the engine bay, Mike chose a ’93 Dodge 5.9L Cummins unit to power his classic Chevy truck. To get the diesel engine dialed in and ready to plant between the frame rails, Joe De La Rosa from Integrated Performance in Weslaco, Texas, was sourced for his valuable expertise.

“Joe did not take any shortcuts,” Mike admits. “He took the Cummins apart, painted and reassembled it with billet parts, powdercoated the valve and timing chain covers, and added Fass lift pumps along with bigger injectors too.”

A Vintage Air A/C system was also thrown into the mix to battle the brutal South Texas summer heat. A larger intercooler and beefier radiator were also added to ensure the diesel powerplant would run safely and efficiently all year long.

“Joe did also have to run with custom motor mounts, obviously,” Mike says. “And to support the extra weight of the Dodge engine, the frame was reinforced to provide the right amount of muscle.”

Exterior Mods

When the time finally came to focus attention on the Chevy’s exterior, Mike reached out to Paquin’s Body Shop in Pharr, Texas, to first perform all the necessary prepping duties as well as the custom touches to the C30’s surface before any new paint could be applied. The Chevy’s bed was the first to receive some love. The bed floor was the cut, raised and given an access panel in the center to place rear suspension maintenance within quick reach.

Adding to the quick growing lineup of exterior customizations, the wiper cowl was shaved, and custom badges were created, as were a one-off Cummins Deluxe themed grille and customized headlamps and turn signals. Front and rear wheel tubs were fabricated, and before Mike knew it, the truck was finished off in black and white PPG paint, for a cool and classic two-tone appearance that won’t be going out of style any time soon.

One exterior add-on that couldn’t be left out of the design plans was a massive exhaust stack that extends higher than the truck’s roofline. This was an aggressive feature to include, but the Chevy was quickly developing and showing its teeth.

Fresh Interior

Moving inside the cab, another local Edinburg shop, Julio’s Upholstery, joined in on the project by stitching together a plush leather seat cover, dashboard, center console, door panels and a one-off speaker enclosure behind the bench. Fresh carpeting and headliner were also added, as was a leather wrapped billet steering wheel, Auto Meter gauges, and a double-DIN Alpine stereo to round out the all-inclusive list of upgraded amenities.

As quick and easy as the build process sounds on paper, the one-year project was anything but.

“Anything and everything that could go wrong did,” Mike says of his experience with his heavily customized C30. “I learned to laugh things off and focus on enjoying all the good and bad times as they came. Also, I learned that none of this would’ve been possible without the help of my great and understanding wife.”

Mike can now hop behind the wheel of the truck he always wondered could ever exist. While the effort that was poured into the project wasn’t exactly light work, it was an investment that he doesn’t regret one bit. The imaginary diesel powered, short bed Chevy dually that Mike had envisioned for so long is now parked in his garage and ready to roll plumes of black exhaust smoke anytime he’s ready to go.

Build Specs

 OWNER

Mike Garcia
1987 Chevy C30 Pickup
Edinburg, TX
Ground Zero

Engine/Drivetrain

• Shop: Joe @ Integrative Performance, Weslaco, TX
• 1993 Dodge Cummins 5.9L V-6
• Custom motor mounts
• Beefed up frame to withstand engine weight
• 80-lb fuel injectors
• Straight pipe exhaust pipe from turbo
• FASS lift pumps
• Upgraded intercooler and radiator
• Stall converter 3200

Chassis/Suspension

• Shop: Eddie’s Chop Shop, Edinburg, TX
• Full air suspension system
• Accuair e-Level air management
• Custom back half
• Michigan Metal Works control arms
• Narrowed rearend to tuck tires
• Wheels, Tires & Brakes
• 22-inch American Force wheels
• Toyo Tires
• Disc brakes

Body/Paint

• Shop: Paquin’s Body Shop, Pharr, TX
• PPG black and white paint
• Custom Cummins Deluxe grille
• Tubbed wheel wheels in engine bay and bed
• Rock lights under truck
• Modified bed, wiper cowl shaved, custom badges and headlamps/turn signals

Interior

• Julio’s Upholstery Shop, Edinburg, TX
• Custom bench seat w/ leather upholstery
• Auto Meter gauges
• Billet Specialties steering wheel
• Alpine double-DIN head unit and custom sound system by Hector Alanis from DL Lighting, Mission, TX
• Vintage Air A/C