John Mata Jr.
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October 18, 2023
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Features
Some projects are more extreme that others, which is apparent at first glance of Danial Kreiter’s ’97 S-10. “A little off the top” isn’t quite the right sentiment here, as this Dime has had 11 inches chopped off its upper profile. It’s noticeable—and pretty amazing when you get up close to it.
Danial didn’t just grab for a Sawzall and get to hackin’. He studied other vehicles with similar chop tops, and he took notes before making the first cut.
“I did a lot of research online,” he says. “I had to look at older chop tops since I was doing something new with an S-10.”
Danial is a welder and fabricator by trade, so a job like this didn’t scare him off, but he wanted to make sure all the angles were just right, and that he didn’t take too much off since metal takes forever to grow back.
Although Danial is used to working with metal on an almost daily basis, he didn’t take to the job of building his S-10 lightly.
“Danial has spent five years getting to this point with his project S-10. It sat dormant at times, but now that he has had a chance to start whipping it into shape, a wave of momentum will likely carry him into other aspects of the build.”
“I try to push the boundaries of my abilities as far as possible, and to learn as much as I can when I do something new,” he says.
And with his first experience with his truck’s chop, a list of other things had to be done as well aside from just the cutting and welding. Every piece of glass had to be removed and altered to fit the newly redesigned cab. Actually, temporary polycarbonate windows have been mocked up for now until permanent replacement glass can be cut. The snap closure ragtop now gives the truck a kick back convertible feel that works so well the Florida climate.
Danial has spent five years getting to this point with his project S-10. It sat dormant at times, but now that he has had a chance to start whipping it into shape, a wave of momentum will likely carry him into other aspects of the build. Since Danial is more than capable of doing most of his own work, he had to set time aside to work on the suspension and the performance side of his truck as well. The factory frame was utilized for the build, but it has been modified with necessary notches and outfitted with all the right aftermarket components to make it rest on the floor.
Although the custom Speedway upper control arms, modified stock lowers, 2-inch drop spindles and the rear 6-link system did bring the S-10 closer to the floor, it was the traditional 3-inch body drop that made the big difference. The bed floor was raised and not hacked up to give the chassis a little more breathing room, while also maintaining some cargo hauling function on top. Danial did this work himself under his own shop name Crazy Dayz Fabrication, which is a perfect name for the type of work he does and the hours that go into making his ideas work.
Although this truck is still a work in progress, it shows some signs of ending up pretty cool when it comes closer to full completion. Danial still sees some room to slam the truck even lower, and plans on reintroducing the cab to real glass as soon as possible. The interior is scheduled to see a complete overhaul as well—the chain link steering wheel may end up sticking around, but the plastic Ikea seating will surely make way for something more comfortable. Guess we’ll see as a little more time goes by.
The ’73 Camaro engine is sure to stay, though. Danial has put so much work into it, and has beefed it up to put out some real power to the tires. This particular engine is a change of pace for S-10 builds, so it’s cool to see some creativity underneath the hood. The list of modifications made to this power plant is kind of crazy, but what else would you expect from a member of the Freaks of Nature North Florida chapter? Danial is certainly letting his freak flag fly high with this project, and it’s sure to get even more distinct the longer he wrenches on it.
“It’s been an amazing experience, even though everything that could go wrong with it, did. I just know that I’ll never stop building and pushing my limits.”
Danial has taken his S-10 to a few shows already, and plans to continue showing it as he makes even more progress. His truck is somewhat of a conversation piece wherever he goes, and to him, that is what makes all his hard work worth it.
“Cruising around town and seeing people’s faces has really been one of the best parts during the build so far,” he says. “It’s been an amazing experience, even though everything that could go wrong with it, did. I just know that I’ll never stop building and pushing my limits. Now, I feel ready to try something more challenging for my next project after I finish this thing.”
[divider] TRUCK SPECS [/divider]
OWNER
Danial & Ashley Kreiter
Deltona, FL
1997 Chevy S-10
ENGINE
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
WHEELS & TIRES
BODY & PAINT
INTERIOR & STEREO
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