Kevin Aguilar
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January 26, 2026
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Features
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JASON JONES
FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU’D THINK THIS WAS JUST A SUPER CLEAN SLAMMED TRUCK. If that’s the case, you’re definitely wrong. Masked in an unassuming, yet extremely sanitary exterior, Jeff Volker’s ’83 Chevy C-10 strikes you when you least expect it. One peek under the hood will leave you in a state of shock because it contains a deadly dose of poison served on a silver platter. Believe us, you don’t want to challenge this beast.
HE’S BEEN INTO THE CUSTOM SCENE FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT, HE’S NOT SLOWING DOWN.”
As you might have guessed, Jeff is no newcomer to creating wicked trucks. He’s been into the custom scene for more than two decades, and by the looks of it, he’s not slowing down. Jeff started his auto body career when he took a class in high school that led him to customize an ’84 GMC Jimmy. He took the SUV to a shop to have some work done where it sat for a long time. After a while Jeff decided he would work on it himself right there in the shop. Eventually, Jeff ended up landing a job at the shop, and now he has one of his own, Volker’s Autobody.
The GMC Jimmy turned out nice enough to be featured in the December 2000 issue of Street Trucks. After showing the Jimmy for a while, Jeff performed a frame up build of a ’63 Cadillac, and then took some time off from building vehicles for himself. After selling the Caddy, Jeff knew he wanted to get back into the swing of things with another truck. Growing up, his father always had Chevy trucks and Jeff’s favorite body style was the third generation C-10.
To get the ball rolling, Jeff purchased this ’83 square-body C-10 from a friend. The plan was to have the truck laid out on big wheels and power it with a tricked-out LS engine. All he wanted to do was make a simple, yet cool truck to cruise. However, being a truck guy, it was only a matter of time before the project snowballed into a full build. Of course, running an auto body shop and having the means to truly transform a vehicle also helped move this project forward.
Starting with the stance, Josh Hart of Hart Fab set up the chassis to completely lay the frame rails on the ground. Installing Porterbuilt extreme front and rear Dropmember kits with Classic Performance Products spindles did the trick. The chassis uses a pair of Firestone double convoluted ’bags up front and sleeve ’bags in the rear. When the airbags are filled with air, the truck goes up for driving and when the air is let out, it sits flat on the pavement. A set of Ridetech HQ single adjustable shocks ensures a smooth ride, while a set 14-inch Wilwood disc brakes on all four corners brings it to a halt. This was all set up to work with a set of 22-inch Billet Specialties Turbine wheels wrapped in Falken rubber.
ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK IS A LITTLE UNASSUMING ON THE OUTSIDE, TAKE A PEEK UNDER THE HOOD OR INSIDE, AND YOU’LL BE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN FIRST MEETS THE EYE.”
Originally, Jeff had a line on an LS-1 engine with a supercharger to increase the horsepower ratings. The deal fell through, but eventually, Jeff’s engine builder, Sam Phillabaum, told him that he had an LS-3 block, so he built it for the truck. Jeff sold everything he’d collected for the LS-1 and purchased a Whipple supercharger to force more air down the intake and boost the engine’s output. The engine is also equipped with Ganatelli Motor Sports valve covers and a Concept One serpentine kit.
Transferring raw power from the crank is a Performabuilt level 3 4L60E transmission with 3,600-stall FTI Performance billet torque convertor. From there, a Dynotech 3.5-inch- diameter aluminum driveshaft delivers rotational force to a GM 12-bolt rearend that was narrowed a total of 5 pinion gearing to help distribute power to the wheels. With this setup, Jeff’s truck is able to push 700 whp at the wheels, making it a real street demon.
As for the beauty side of this square- body, Jeff took the body down to bare metal removing decades of old paint via sandblasting. From there, Jeff discovered that the rockers and cab corners were rusted, so he fixed these areas with replacement panels. A few things like the emblems, wiper cowl and mirrors were shaved, while a rear trim piece for a Blazer was made to fit flush with the rear of the truck. Inside, the bed was built with bead-rolled sheet metal and new wheel tubs and a notch cover, as well as Mac’s Custom tie downs.
JEFF VOLKER HAS REALLY STEPPED IT UP WITH THIS BUILD, AND THE TRUCK IS DEFINITELY ONE TO REMEMBER.”
Jeff spent some extra time on the body and added a few touches to make it look completely smooth. The bumpers were shaved and tucked closer to the body. The hood was raised a ½ inch on the front and the peak was also raised to clear the supercharger. Other styling cues that help the appearance of the exterior is the ’87 C-10 grille and One Piece Products side glass. Then Josh was able to create a one- of-a-kind engine compartment to showcase the engine as if it were a piece of fine jewelry. Topping it off, Jeff wanted to paint the truck in colors that were eye- catching, yet looked like they came from the factory. He chose Ford Golden Bronze and Pale Adobe mixed from PPG Envirobase paint.
On the inside, things were kept simple. Trick Labs reupholstered the stock components, starting with the stock bench seat, which was reshaped and covered in Relicate leather. The leather- covered dash holds a set of Dakota Digital VHX gauges and ididit steering column with Billet Specialties wheel. Above it all is a custom headliner with a center trim with dome light and Garmin navigation system added. Other features include dyed-to-match door panels and Vintage Air A/C to keep everyone cool on hot days. Topping it off is a full custom sound system that features JL Audio components controlled by a Kenwood PXiBT50.2 controller.
Although the truck is a little unassuming on the outside, take a peek under the hood or inside, and you’ll be surprised to see that there is more to it than first meets the eye. Jeff Volker has really stepped it up with this build, and the truck is definitely one to remember.
OWNER
Jeff Volker
Volker’s Autobody
1983 Chevrolet C-10
Youngwood, PA
ENGINE
SUSPENSION
WHEELS & TIRES
BODY & PAINT
INTERIOR
SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE OWNER: “Josh Hart who took this truck to the next level. It takes a special skill to do what he did. Without him, it wouldn’t be half the truck it is today.”
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