The Trucks of Gas Monkey Garage

It’s no wonder why there’ve been so many trucks emerging from Gas Monkey Garage (GMG). If you don’t know already, GMG is the Dallas-based shop behind Discovery Channel’s hit show Fast N’ Loud. If you’ve seen the show, you’re probably aware of how trucks are a part of just about every episode. If costars Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufman aren’t busy working on a custom truck, they can be seen hauling a new automotive find with nothing less than a truck attached to a flatbed trailer.

THE BUILD WAS JUST THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF BEAUTY AND BRAWN. SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS BUILT, IT WAS SOLD ON THE SHOWAND SENT OFF TO THE U.K.”

 

Texas is truck country, and a large amount of trucks are used and abused there. Everything from slammed trucks with big wheels to sky-high versions can be seen regularly on Texas highways. Most are utilitarian, making them perfect for individuals and shops like GMG to put to work. Add that to the fact that the GMG crew is always on the hunt for the next build, and you can expect some interesting truck projects to surface along the way.

Back in the show’s first season a couple of F-100s were done up GMG style. One of the first was a ’68 turned into a no-frills but stylish shop truck before the show began filming. It was quickly transformed and got some positive attention after it was completed. The build was just the right combination of beauty and brawn. Shortly after it was built, it was sold on the show and sent off to the U.K.

The last episode of the first season, “Frankenstein Ford” featured the ’68 Ford F-100 that you see on these pages. It started out as a failed project that Painter KC Mathieu found in his neighborhood. When the guys caught wind of the old Ford, they went out and snagged the truck for chump change and then whipped it up with shiny Valspar Boxwood Green paint. The work was done quickly enough to get it rolling on the auction block in no time.

When the ’68 F-100 first came into the shop, it was in pieces, but a Crown Victoria front clip and 4.6L Ford engine from a Lincoln Mark VIII had been set aside for it. Richard got so wound up about the build that he decided to have KC give it a quality paint job so that it could look like a “magazine-type cover truck.” Though it was destined for stardom on the show, Richard was right because it did finally make it on the cover of this magazine.

As the show ran it, the project was behind schedule and Richard was left hyping the truck to a crowd in hopes of selling it for big bucks. The truck showed up at the last minute and the bidding began. When all was said and done, the truck had a new owner, but the deal fell through in the end. Since KC already had his eyes on it, he struck a deal with Richard to snag it from him.

Since then, the truck has received a few upgrades: the suspension was tweaked with a RideTech coil-over suspension and a Coyote engine with Roush Performance supercharger was added. Now that KC is done adding his spin to the Frankenstein Ford, he happily uses it as his daily commuter to the shop. This is no small trip either; he lives 60 miles away with several different types of conditions to push through. It just goes to show that the truck wasn’t only TV-ready, it can really be used for its true purpose, too.

Another memorable build was the ’64 Dodge D100 Sweptline from the “Hodge Bodge Dodge” episode. The truck started off as another cheap find that Richard decided to build in hopes of cashing in big. The truck was an absolute oddball and received a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front suspension clip and 5.3L Chevy V-8 from a 2002 Tahoe to power it. While building the truck, previous owners Ryan Chaney and Steve Mabry of 44 Build were busy remodeling the GMG office and storefront. Though it was no longer theirs, they kept the build in the corner of their eyes. When it was complete, Richard ended up trading the truck back to the boys of 44 Build in exchange for payment on the shop’s remodel.

The latest truck to come out of GMG is this ’65 Chevy C-10 that was built to serve as the pace vehicle for the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). This all started when Aaron was a spectator at the Pikes Peak climb two years ago. He was impressed by the drivers’ skill as they raced to the 14,115-foot summit. The 12.42- mile course travels through drastic elevation changes, which makes for thin air at the top, robbing vehicles of 30% of their power. It takes serious effort to make it to the top.

During the last season of Fast N’ Loud, the shop built a ’63 Ford Falcon. When the race-inspired build was completed, Aaron was in awe and made a deal with Richard to buy it. From there, he worked steadily to get it ready for competition. While trying to convince the officials at PPIHC into letting Aaron race the Falcon at Pikes Peak, Richard came up with a plan to finish the ’65 C-10 as a pace vehicle at the event, since in the past, most of the pace vehicles lacked style.

AS THE CREW AT THE SHOP CONTINUES TO WRENCH, WE’RE SURE THERE WILL BE PLENTY MORE TO COME IN THE FUTURE.”

To get the ’65 C-10 back in shape, GMG added Porterbuilt frame components with a RideTech suspension and coil- overs. Up front, the truck has Classic Performance Products modular spindles and Willwood brakes on all four corners. Powering the truck is a 572-ci Chevy crate engine equipped with a F.A.S.T. EZ EFI 2.0 fuel-injection system with a Tremec T56 Magnum manual transmission behind it. For safety and stability, the truck has a roll cage and a set of Recaro seats to keep the Richard and KC in place. Once the C-10 was done, the duo drove it up the hill to kick off the PPIHC event.

The GMG crew has successfully put together several purpose-built trucks. As the crew at the shop continues to wrench, we’re sure there will be plenty more to come in the future. Don’t be surprised if another truck build happens sooner than you expect. ST

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNERS

Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage
1965 Chevy C-10 Dallas, TX

ENGINE

• 572-ci Chevy V-8
• F.A.S.T. EZ EFI 2.0 fuel-injection system
• Comp Cams air cleaner
• Custom-made stainless steel headers by Aaron Kaufman
• Dual exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers
• Painless Performance race wiring harness
• Ron Davis radiator and cooling fans
• Tremec T56 Magnum manual transmission
• American Powertrain clutch
• Currie Enterprises Fab-9 rearend with Trutrac posi and 3.50:1 gears
• Aeromotive 20-gallon fuel cell

SUSPENSION

• Porterbuilt frame stiffener center section
• Classic Performance products modular spindles
• RideTech Strong Arms
• Ride Tech trailing arm system
• RideTech coil-overs
• RideTech rear notch
• Custom fabricated roll cage
• Wilwood 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in rear

WHEELS & TIRES

• 18×10 and 18×12 Forgeline ZX3P with center lock pin drive in flat black face with gloss red inner and outer hoops
• 275/35R18 and 335/30R18 Toyo Proxes R888

BODY & PAINT

• Valspar flat clear over patina body
• Aged hand-painted logos and gold leafing by tanner Leaser

INTERIOR

• Recaro leather-covered race seats
• RideTech point-point harnesses
• Classic Instruments gauges
• Detachable race steering wheel
• Custom-made for race switch panel with Painless Performance switches

Special Thanks From Owner: Gas Monkey Garage and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the opportunity to build the pace truck.

TRUCK SPECS

OWNERS

KC Mathieu
1968 Ford F-100
Burleson, TX

ENGINE

• 5.0L Ford Coyote V-8
• Roush Performance supercharger
• Ford Racing Performance Parts engine management system
• Ford Mustang radiator and cooling fans
• Tremec T56 Magnum manual transmission
• American Powertrain clutch
• Custom two-into-two exhaust with Magnaflow muffler
• 1969 Ford Mustang fuel tank

SUSPENSION

• 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front clip
• 2003 Ford F-150 brakes
• Parallel 4-link
• RideTech coil-overs
• Rear C-notch

WHEELS & TIRES

• 20×9 and 20×10 Shelby CS69 wheels
• 255/40R20 and 295/40R20 Toyo Proxes ST II

BODY & PAINT

• Valspar factory Boxwood Green

INTERIOR

• Bench seat reupholstered in black leather by ASM Upholstery
• Classic Instruments gauges
• Old Air Products AC

Special Thanks From Owner: Gas Monkey Garage and Cody Cutforth from Stang-hi Performance for the custom tune and calibration.

TRUCK SPECS

Ryan Chaney and Steve Mabry of 44 Build
1964 Dodge D100 Dallas, TX

ENGINE

• 5.3L V-8 engine from 2002 Chevy Tahoe
• PSI LS harness
• Custom-made aluminum intake
• Hooker LS exhaust manifolds
• Custom two-into-two exhaust with Magnaflow muffler
• 4L60E automatic transmission
• 2003 Ford F-150 8.8 rearend 1969 Ford Mustang fuel tank

SUSPENSION

• 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front clip
• Modified frame rails to fit front clip
• Rear flip kit with helper ’bags
• Rear C-notch

WHEELS & TIRES

• 20×8.5 and 20×10 TSW Valencia Matte Black
• 255/40R20 and 295/40R20 Toyo Proxes ST II

BODY & PAINT

• Stock paint scuffed and covered in clear

INTERIOR

• Bench seat reupholstered in black leather by ASM Upholstery
• Auto Meter gauge set
• Old Air Products AC
• Retro Sound radio and speakers

Special Thanks From Owner: Richard Rawlings for making all the dreams come true.

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