hometown heroes | A Glimpse at Our Readers’ Customs

A Glimpse at Our Readers’ Customs

Thomas Friederichs from Apopka, Florida, has always loved old Chevy trucks. One day, coming back from a camping trip in Crystal River with the family in December of 2006, he spotted this all white 1965 Chevy C10 Fleetside for $4,500. After making it mechanically sound, he enjoyed it for around four years before tearing it apart down to the frame for a complete resto-mod. During the rebuild, everyone in the family pitched in when needed, including Thomas’ middle son Sam, his designated glass installer. His wife Patty was tasked with numerous days of holding or lifting something, and his younger son Jesse spent the most time in the garage lending a hand. The truck was finally assembled to about 90 percent in the fall of 2015 when Thomas and crew attended their first car show, Turkey Rod Run at the Daytona Speedway.

“The truck took a lot longer to restore than planned, but when you’re traveling for work and raising a family, the project and priorities change on a weekly basis,” Thomas says.

The real goal was to create a good looking, reliable truck to drive around and have fun, and we think he accomplished that without doubt.

The real goal was to create a good looking, reliable truck to drive around and have fun, and we think he accomplished that without doubt.

Paint/Body and Upholstery: Midnight Customz in Apopka, Florida

Color: RM Diamont Chevy Torch Red and Ford Oxford White

Wheels/Tires: 15-inch American Eagle Alloy P275/60R15 Futura Super Sport

Engine: 333hp GM Small Block 350c.i.

Transmission: TH350 3-speed with FTI Performance 2400-2600 stall converter

Brakes/Suspension: CPP front suspension, front slotted and drilled disc with brake booster

Audio: Classic Hermosa RetroSound radio with kicker speakers

Steering: Ididit chrome tilt steering column with ConR custom steering wheel

Let me tell you about my truck.” Now that’s how you get our attention! Robert Ochoa’s 2002 GMC Sierra took four years to build, and he did it all in his wheelchair. The truck has air ride suspension with an air bed tilt controlled with 14-switches. Robert customized the interior by painting it red and building two custom boxes for four 12-inch subs and a 400-watt amp. The undercarriage is also painted red with white led lights under the frame and behind the rims.

“I just want everyone to stay positive and don’t give up even if they have a disability,” Robert says. “If it’s your passion, you will figure out a way that works for you.”

Street Trucks provided the inspiration for Jason Barnes’ build, which was originally found in a junkyard after years of hunting “for the right one.” Sandblasting and powder coating smoothed the inner fenders and firewall, and DuPont Rare Red paint coated the metal.

“We wanted to build a daily driver-type truck with all the current amenities,” Barnes says. “So we upgraded to an 5.3-LS and an automatic W/4L60E transmission. Dakota Digital gauges and power everything gave this truck some modern flavor. We even added a backup camera to make sure they don’t hit anything. RideTech suspension makes for smooth ride & they choose Wilwood brakes make it stop on a dime. Staggered 18-inch and 20-inch brushed Rally Intros with Nitto tires give it style at all four corners.

“We appreciate all your magazine’s work and keeping up with the latest trends,” Barnes says. “Being here in the Ozarks seems like we’re always behind them!”