At some point or another, we’ve all fantasized about our dream truck. At this year’s Sport Truck Nationals, we found such a truck. Rob Dotson of Justice, Illinois, stopped by the show with his totally cool ’95 GMC Sonoma. With all the stops pulled out and the hood popped, Rob showed us just how dreamy a custom rig can be when at the top of its game.
Rob’s goal was to have one of the best mini-trucks around. To set the stance straight, Rob used Belltech 2-inch drop spindles, Firestone airbags, and Belltech Nitro Drop shocks up front. The rear suspension was completed with Belltech’s 4-inch drop blocks mounted to de-arched monoleaf springs, all built around the custom-molded and boxed C-notched frame. With the bags deflated, the Sonoma rides 10 inches below stock and well into the frame-scraping category. After a few shakedown cruises, the entire suspension assembly was pulled and given a show-quality finish that matches the awesome exterior.
With altitude under control, the appearance had to be set straight. Looking underneath the multicolor paint scheme, you’ll find Rob has done his fair share of body mods. The nose has been restyled with a Stylin’ Concepts billet grille mounted above the recessed license plate. A custom-molded fascia holds in projection beam headlights and makes the body-to-grille transition a smooth one. Leaving nothing untouched, everything was shaved from the door handles to the taillights. Out back, Rob had a Sir Michaels roll pan put in and shaved the gate handle. Leer’s “Topper” bedcover adds to the streamlined effect of this custom Sonoma. With the bodywork, John Wargo was given the go-ahead for the awesome paint scheme. The Sonoma’s long vacation at The Custom Shop in Flannagan, Illinois, resulted in an extreme look. All-told, 48 House of Kolor paints were blended to create the full-bore paint job. John’s careful hand and watchful eye ensured that graphics were extended to all surfaces. Inside the doorjambs, under the hood, on the stereo bass tubes, the bed seams—you name it—all are painted in graphics.
Engine internals were left close to stock (damn emissions!) but you’d never guess that from a quick look. Rob dressed up the 4.3L V-6 with a powdercoated fan, powdercoated bracketry, finished inner wheelwells, billet aluminum underdrive pulleys, and a polished alternator. The overall look of the engine compartment is in tune with the extreme paint and powdercoating blended to match. The V-6 has been massaged for better performance using a K&N filter tied to a Billet Specialties air cleaner. For better breathing, the six-banger was treated to an Edelbrock after-cat exhaust system.
After the engine modifications, it was time to add some bite to the truck’s bark. Rob went the no-nonsense route with Bazooka Audio. All controlled by an Eclipse head unit, the system pumps out 2,000 watts of ear-bursting joy. Supplying the juice is a set of Bazooka amps, two at 500 watts and one at 450. A full set of Optima Yellow-top batteries gives backup juice for the amps and ensures hours of interruption-free sounds. The highs are expelled by MB Quart’s tweeter and 6-inch mids mounted up front. In the rear Rob runs Bazooka Audio’s 5¼-inch woofers and six 10-inch subwoofer tubes. Rob’s sound system features a trick innovation from Bazooka: liquid cooled amps. Bazooka’s Chillpack functions like a radiator system for your amps. In Rob’s configuration, the three amps share the same cooling reservoir which allows continuous running without risk of overheating.
Lastly modified was the interior. Trans Am bucket seats were fitted to the application and covered in tweed. Working with Joe Ortega, Rob managed to get the most out of interior. Directional control is given by a Billet Specialties GTX1 steering wheel. Custom carpet, dash, and door panel inserts in purple tie together the entire package. When all was said and done, Rob’s truck had a six-year downtime. The dream of having a truck at the top of its game has definitely come true. Just goes to show what having a vision and plenty of time can do for your ride.