Some people grow up in automotive families, where running from the driveway to the garage to fetch a needed tool for dad is a weekend event. Others grow up in families that aren't geared that way, yet something about customizing a truck sparks an interest within them at a young age. Although Morgan Williamson of Whittier, California, didn't grow up in a gearhead family, he was still interested in taking a bone-stock truck and turning it into something more.
When Morgan got the chance, he started taking auto shop classes and eventually landed a job at one of the biggest aftermarket warehouses, Trader's, located in Santa Fe Springs, California. Like a kid in a candy store, Morgan watched part after part walk out of the showroom and get installed. Finally giving into the torture, Morgan decided to curb his '57 Chevy project that he'd been working on and purchase an '03 Chevy Silverado. That would officially be one of the last times Morgan's girlfriend would see him.
With a grin that reached from ear to ear, Morgan rolled into work driving his brand-new project. Although she was fresh off the factory line, she still looked like a fixer-upper. With the help of Trader's master technician, Richard Pineda, the two began updating the stock suspension.
The stock springs were replaced with a set of Belltech 1-inch drop springs, and the rear was lowered with a Belltech 2-inch drop shackle. Four Belltech Nitro Active shocks were posted at each corner, and Belltech antisway bars were installed in the front and rear for stability. The stock rollers were kicked aside and replaced with 24-inch Foose Speedster wheels encased in BFG 305/35R24 rubber.
To enhance the 5.3L engine, a set of Bassani ceramic-coated headers was bolted into place and followed by a Bassani stainless exhaust system. Up top, a Volant intake, Diablo programmer, and Granatelli mass airflow sensor were installed and then topped with a billet engine cover by Walter Prosper Designs.
By this time, Morgan had two loves in his life: his girlfriend Jessica and her new nemesis, the Chevy Silverado. None of us mean to neglect the people in our lives, but sometimes our vision gets pigeon-holed when we work on projects. Luckily, we end up with a significant other who puts up with us, even though we're morons.
The truck was low, had a lot more go, and had yet to be set on fire by Jessica, so it was driven to the folks at Merzees Paint & Body in Santa Fe Springs, where they planned on setting it ablaze. Jeff Mersey and his crew shaved the tailgate handle, added a Sir Michaels roll pan, and shaved the door handles. The front bumper was replaced with a factory Chevy SS bumper, then Jeff began laying out the flames on the truck.
Many hours were spent layering the various flames. The lower set of flames was sprayed using House of Kolor's Orion Silver with Charcoal Smoke wisping through it. The upper set of flames was sprayed with Candy Apple Red with mini Fireball flake, and the silver flames were sprayed with Ice Pearl. Kent Garcia airbrushed the drop shadows, then striped the licks with blue and purple. The entire truck was then buried under several coats of clear.