Persistence and Dedication Pay Off

Details, details, details. Why do you think they say the devil is in the details when really, that’s where perfection and stellar builds lie? The details are what really matter, and they’re what truly set apart each custom vehicle build. The reason why the devil is in the details is because it’s downright difficult to pull off an amazing build. It’s painstaking hard work to go above and beyond and make every detail count. Sometimes years and years of dedication, paychecks and sleepless nights can result in a masterpiece, while other times a project of this magnitude could just as easily end up a lost and forgotten heap that never sees the light of day.

THE INTERIOR WAS A HUGE PROJECT, AND THE AMOUNT OF DETAIL POURED INTO A SCRATCH-BUILT VERSION LIKE THIS IS DEFINITELY NEXT LEVEL…”

Russell “Menso” Rodriguez wanted to build something truly different and let the details be the defining factor of his build. That mission took him down a dark path with shops that didn’t complete work as promised, took much longer and charged more than initially agreed upon. This has happened to the best of us, but Menso didn’t give up. His ’08 Chevy Silverado would eventually see the light of day as the pristine example of custom you see here, but it wasn’t an easy journey.

Menso’s Silverado started off in good hands with his buddy Dave Flint at Pristine Custom Paint and Body. The two collaborated on the metal work, and although things definitely got a bit crazier than originally anticipated, Dave stayed the course and shaved the doors, cab corners, the area behind the cab, taillights, bed floor and tailgate. Dave also created a full custom rear bumper and swapped on a 2012 HD front end along with custom metal panels underneath the hood to tie everything together. But things didn’t always go as planned, and some of the other shops entrusted with Menso’s build didn’t quite come through.

THE FINAL PIECES OF THE PUZZLE WERE COMING TOGETHER, AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE GETTING THE TRUCK TO THIS POINT, THE PRESSURE WAS ON.”

The interior was a huge project, and the amount of detail poured into a scratch-built version like this is definitely next level, and exactly what Menso was after. The truck was sent to Rivera Services where Anthony Wilfong kicked it up with a bare interior, and after the main frame for the custom floating seats was built, Anthony began to raise the floor so it would have the flat aluminum look that Menso was after, allowing you to see the floating seats, custom center console and other details incorporated throughout. The one-off custom center console houses a hidden 10-inch Digital Designs sub, and the custom amp rack holds the DD five-channel amp along with hidden compartments for detailing equipment and storage. The one-off door panels hold a set of 8-inch DD mids, and custom-mounted highs are hidden in the dash.

With the details falling together nicely, it was soon time to round things out underneath the hood. Jose Pena from Drops ’R Us got his hands on Menso’s Silverado to get it up and running. It was dropped off as a pile of parts, and Jose started by tearing down the top half of the engine and adding a Big Thumpr cam, springs and rockers. Before anything else could be done he had to move all of the coil packs and hide them out of sight, and then he installed short tube Hedman headers, as well as the LS3 intake manifold and March Performance serpentine kit. Jose went above and beyond and did a lot of extra stuff that was never discussed just to make the engine look right and flow with the rest of the details of this build. When it came time for the tune, the truck was sent to Tunes by Flaco, where it was dynoed to see what it could do. Flaco got it running and tuned for driving duties.

The final pieces of the puzzle were coming together, and although it was quite a challenge getting the truck to this point, the pressure was on. The plan was to debut the build at LST 2014, so with five weeks until the show, Robert Mesa from Alamo Customs made quick work of smoothing the bodywork and prepping for a pearl white base. Robert tore the truck completely apart to ensure that every panel would be smooth to the touch. When it came time to finish the final details, Robert went a notch above and added some metal to the front to close the gaps where the original plastic would mount. This way the bumper would be all metal and have a nice smooth finish. Next, painter Lupe sealed the bodywork using Pro Spray Sealer, which allowed him to work his magic with the Pro Spray 3-Stage pearl paint. With little time left, the man himself was called to lay down artwork.

Pat Maxwell from Maxwell Auto Designs decided to incorporate the engraved look onto the white canvas. He laid out the graphics and ran everything through all of the door jambs, the tailgate and the engine cover pieces. Pat made sure he didn’t leave out a single detail when airbrushing the hidden brushed, engraved scrolls and copper trim, and when he was done working his magic, Lupe and team quickly buried the truck in coat after coat of clear.

The truck was finished the night before LST 2014. Menso drove it straight to the show and hasn’t stopped driving it since. Perseverance and dedication paid off, and the details of this build really shine through. On top of that, the fact that Menso drives this masterpiece often just scores extra points with us here at Street Trucks. ST

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNER

Russell “Menso” Rodriguez
2008 Chevy Silverado Houston, TX
Aftermath

ENGINE

• Chevy 5.3L
• March Performance serpentine kit
• Magnaflow mufflers and exhaust
• Hedman headers
• K&N intake
• Thumpr camshaft
• Built by Jose Pena at Drops ’R Us

SUSPENSION

• By: Ryan Hartman
• 3/4 frame stock floor body drop
• Custom control arms
• 2-link with wishbone
• Fox shocks
• McGaughy’s drop spindles
• Narrowed Moser rearend with 4.10 gears
• 16-gallon fuel cell

WHEELS & TIRES

• 26×9 and 26×12 Raceline Explosion 6 with full custom engraving
• Pirelli Scorpion 295/25R26 and 305/35R26

BODY & PAINT

• Shaved taillights, tailgate handle, door handles, gas filler, cab wall, bed floor
• Custom rear bumper, custom engine bay panels and tubs
• Smoothed and painted bed floor
• 2011 HD Frontend
• Custom metal/body work by Dave Flint at Pristine Paint & Body
• Pearl white sprayed by Robert Mesa at Alamo Customs
• Silver and copper graphics by Pat Maxwell at Maxwell Designs
• Flush-fit LED taillights

INTERIOR/STEREO

• Robert Rivera, Rivera Services and Anthony Wilfong custom one-off interior
• Aluminum floor with full- custom floating seats wrapped in Ultra Leather
• Custom center console and door panels
• Suede headliner
• Raceline billet steering wheel
• Digital Designs subs, speakers and amps
• Alpine head unit

Special Thanks From Owner: I need to thank my wife and family first for putting up with all of the time I put into this truck, and then all of the guys who wouldn’t let me quit, as well as everyone who had their hands in this build. You know who you are.

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