When asked, "What did you learn from building this '98 S-10?" owner Mike Derichsweiler replied, "It pays to have the right people work on your truck." There is no cheap way to build a custom truck. The saying "you get what you pay for" couldn't be truer than in the realm of customization.
The suspension was equipped with an air-ride system. Up front, Belltech spindles with Firestone airbags and Toxic shocks give the Dime adjustable suspension movement. Out back, two VIAIR 350 compressors, 5 gallons of storage, and a GO-EZ step notch reside. Tony at West Coast Batteries provided Mike the Odyssey batteries needed to run the 100 percent duty cycle air compressors, providing plenty of juice for the high-amp draw. GO-EZ of Anaheim, California, installed the suspension with Parker valves and the company's own 10-position switch box. The mini lays over Lexani Slate rims, 18s up front and 20s out back; the bling is wrapped in Toyo T1S tires. Out back, the bead was cut and hot-rod wheeltubs were welded-in so the truck could tuck rim hard. Line-X of Huntington Beach covered the bed and tubs with a color-matched spray-in bedliner.
The interior was recovered in tan, white, and purple skin made of vinyl and suede, and pimps '93 Civic bucket seats. All interior plastics were smoothed, fiberglassed, and painted by Lance at Faded Kolors, who then re-shot the parts in the proper color to fit the theme. Nu-Image gauges fill the gauge cluster, and House of Tints covered the glasswork. A Billet Specialties shifter, rearview mirror, pedals, window crank, and other brightwork is found throughout out the build.
The entertainment department is made up of a Pioneer 6500 head unit with a 6-1/2-inch flip-down monitor, with many extras. Three 10-inch Memphis Audio subs fill the custom box that sits behind the '93 Civic seats. A set of Memphis Audio 6-1/2-inch separates in the doors and Memphis Audio 5-1/4-inch separates in the kick panels fill the small cab with all the mids and highs to complement the subs. A 1,300-watt class D Memphis Audio amp with a Tsunami wiring kit supplies all the power needed to run the sound system, and was installed at Advantage Autosports in Brea, California.
TYC diamond clear headlights and corner lenses and an MIC Super Star grille insert start the custom work on the front clip. A Street Scene color-matched lower valance with foglamps smooth off the lower segment of the front end. The bed received a Sir Michaels smooth roll pan, and a Gaylord's x2000 tonneau cover fills the rear void. To keep that custom appeal, the license plate was frenched into the tailgate.
The paint is not quite stock. Jeff Merzee at Merzees Paint and Body went over the OEM color and added a tinge more sliver to the pigment. After the paint was laid, a layer of House of Kolor's Abalone pearl flake was sprayed over the base. It took eight coats of clear to cover the coarse flake and leave a smooth surface. Lance Lamerty pinstriped the build in purple for the finishing touch. The result is another sweet daily-driven Dime.
A CGS air intake and Gibson...
A CGS air intake and Gibson exhaust help to power-up the 2.2L four-cylinder.
House of Tints spent some...
House of Tints spent some time carrying the star theme form the interior to the glass. This helps tie the exterior to the interior.
GO-EZ built the bars over...
GO-EZ built the bars over the diff and mounted the storage tank and compressor symmetrically in the bed. All the valves are mounted to one-off framework that sits in the spare-tire area.
Lexani Slate rims fit Mike's...
Lexani Slate rims fit Mike's build. Eighteen-inch rims up front and 20-inch rims out back are all wrapped in Toyo T1S rubber.