This month, we are featuring three trucks that don't really have unique stories behind them. This isn't a tale of a classic truck found stashed in a barn and restored to its former glory, nor is it the story of a father and son teaming up on a kid's first ride. Nonetheless, each of these trucks is exciting to look at and provides a rare glimpse into the world of aftermarket parts suppliers and how each goes about distinguishing itself from the rest of the industry. You won't catch these trucks competing for trophies at your favorite show. Heck, you might not even catch a glimpse of them rolling down the highway, which is all the more reason for us to show them off while we have the chance. The Chevy SSR, Ford Ranger, and Chevy S-10 featured here don't even belong to anyone you know, unless you are on a first name basis with the owners of Godfather Customs, Leer, or Al & Ed's Autosound. Nope, these trucks are not daily drivers. Rather, these three have the distinct job of serving as rolling advertisements for some of the sport truck industry's biggest players.
Our list of industry insiders starts off with one of the largest aftermarket custom part suppliers we know of-Godfather's and its bling'd out S-Dime. Hal Johnson's company regularly puts together project trucks by dabbling into the sizable parts bin at his disposal. Given that his ads in this magazine and others offer everything under the sun for a sport truck, it's not hard to imagine that his company could close its eyes and throw darts into the warehouse and still hit some cool parts to build a truck with. The S-10 is no exception. With 22-inch rims, a colorful interior, a nitrous-fed V-6, and an air suspension, this truck gets it done with ease. In fact, this truck became the best kind of marketing scheme imaginable, the kind that lives on for years afterward, immortalized by Mattel in the Hot Wheels toy line.
The 411
Owner/hometown: Hal Johnson
Year/make/model: '02 Chevrolet S-10
Engine/drivetrain: 4.3L V-6 / K&N Filtercharger / Nitrous Express N20 kit / Gibson exhaust system / Stinger battery
Wheels/tires: 22x9.5-inch Oasis LD1 / 285/30ZR22 Goodyear Wrangler F1
Suspension: (Front) ART Strongarms / DJM 2-inch drop spindles / Toxic shocks / Firestone 2500 airbags / GC valves / Viair 450 compressor / Powerslot brake rotors / Hawk brake pads / (Rear) Air Ride Technologies Coolride / Firestone 2600 airbags
Body Mods: Shaved door handles / Street Scene front bumper cover / Trenz billet grilles / Sir Michaels roll pan / Sir Michaels tailgate handle relocator / APC Euro taillights / LSD Lambo door kit / Reflexxion hood / Ryno antenna / Elegante by TYC headlights / Pace Edwards bed locker electric tonneau cover
Bodyman: Mike Lewis of Gary's Body Shop in Decatur, Georgia
Paint: House of Kolor
Painter: Mike Lewis
Interior: Color-matched interior paneling / fiberglassed door panels and speaker enclosure with Hot Wheels logo / Nu-Image gauge overlay
Audio/video: Complete ARC Audio system, including mids, highs, and subwoofers / amplifiers mounted into third rear door / Stinger wiring