True Enthusiasts Can’t Stay Away

The trucking hobby attracts all kinds. Our vehicles are so versatile that some guys build trucks to haul everything from bricks to trophies, while others build them simply to haul butt. Bobby Hillgaertner chose yet another approach, turning his custom GMC into a rolling sound studio. From Ocklawaha, Florida, Bobby divides his time between his family and their construction business, along with his favorite hobby of creating world-class automotive stereo systems. His custom S-10 dominated the circuit for several years, both in looks and sound quality.

But, even the best customs occasionally need new homes, and when Bobby got an offer he couldn’t refuse, it was time to build something new. When he purchased his ’95 GMC C1500 extended cab, he had a head start because the previous owner had already worked on several areas. In order to make it his own, Bobby shaved the drip rails and the third brake light, swapped in a complete 1999 Cadillac Escalade front end, a smooth wiper cowl and Street Scene grille and side mirrors. Supra taillights reside in the smooth rear pan and a full width LED strip acts as an attention-getting brake light. Lots of work was done to the bed, beginning with the flat black bed liner tubs from Grant Kustoms complete with graduated “dimple die” holes and a shiny black bridge enhanced by Pinstripin’ Mikey. One of the biggest changes, however, is out of sight.

The rear clip was completely rebuilt using a combination of 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 rectangular steel in order to accommodate the huge 24-inch diameter, 15-inch wide rear hoops. The frame was narrowed 14 inches and the 10-bolt rear trimmed 17 inches and then modernized with Moser axles and disc brakes. It’s held in place with a 2-link and panhard bar. Up front, the frame was notched for tie rod clearance and lower control arms were modified to bring the frame to the ground. The air suspension begins with a pair of Viair 444 compressors, twin 5-gallon stainless steel tanks and Slam Specialties ’bags with 8-inch wide versions in the rear and sevens up front. QA1 shocks stabilize all four corners. Bobby added an enginedriven compressor just in case, wrapped up the chassis work and had Mikey pinstripe the frame. The wheels are Intro Twisted Flow with 22 x 8s in the front and 24 x 15s in the rear. Pirelli tires up front are 245/30/22 and the rears are huge 405/25/24s, measuring a staggering 17.5 inches wide!

While the sleek exterior is already a trophy-winning combination, it’s the interior where Bobby’s talent really shines. On the stereo circuit for more than 15 years as part of Audio Nutz, Bobby’s design skills are legendary. Although no longer a fulltime competitor, he still enjoys building systems and attending shows. Naturally, that meant a complete makeover for the GMC interior, and he smiles when he says, “Every piece in this interior has been rebuilt. There’s nothing left of the original factory components.” The initial steps began with Dynamat sound insulation, a heavily modified Ron Francis wiring harness and a completely reconfigured dash. The first thing you notice inside is the pair of Corbeau buckets, modified so that they move back a full 7 inches further than normal in order to create a more defined sound stage. To keep the new dash clean, the controls for the air conditioning, wipers and headlights were relocated to the base of the driver’s seat. The new fiberglass center console holds the 6-inch, circular Dakota Digital instrument cluster on top, followed by an iPad and Lokar shifter. Behind the Denon A-100 head unit is the center armrest and the Dakota Digital controls for the air suspension with remote. Five ARC Audio amplifiers float behind the seats and the JBL crossover and MS-8 processor were inset into the rear floor.

The key to this audio-visual package is its uniqueness, beginning with the JBL MS-8 System Integration digital processor that automatically time aligns the signal and allows Bobby to adjust the sound stage, moving it from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat or centered between the two. The stereo CD tuner/CD changer control is a Denon A-100 from Japan and Bobby says, “It’s strictly for sound quality and is limited to playing CDs, but it’s probably the best one of its kind ever made.” Complementing the A-100 is the iPad in the center console that adds   navigation,   Bobby’s extensive record and movie library, e-mail, Facebook and a mobile hotspot. The A-100 controls the five ARC Audio Signature series amps floating behind the seats. Two power the ARC Audio Black series 10-inch sub in the center console, facing the firewall for sub bass up front. The remaining three amps are devoted to the front stage beginning with the JBL Signature series 8-inch mid bass speakers in the kick panels that are vented to the outside of the truck, allowing them to work more efficiently. The A-pillars hold JBL GTI 5.25-inch component sets and Bobby positioned a pair of JBL GTI 6-inch coaxial rear fill speakers at ear level, behind the driver and passenger. He estimates the nine-speaker system produces a couple of thousand watts, but says it’s not about booming. “I just like to drive down the road and listen to good music.”

When Bobby started out, his goal was to build a proper custom truck because, as he told us, “I like my custom trucks. After I sold my S-10, I missed being at the shows and I didn’t want to come out driving something that was just normal. Other than paint, everything was done in my garage. To me, this Street Trucks feature means more than any 15 trophies on the circuit.”

Bobby sends special thanks to his wife Steph, dad Bob Sr., Mike Atkins at Central Florida Collision, Jose Moreno at Intro Wheel, Scott Johnson at Dakota Digital, Fred Lynch at ARC Audio, Jeremy Brenner at JBL, Rigo at HornBlasters, Tom at Billet and Acrylic Fantasies, Grant Kustoms, Pinstripin’ Mikey, Greg Savoie, Marcus Talamantez, Dallas Maynard and Randall Quick. ST

---

TRUCK SPECS

OWNER

Bobby Hillgaertner

1995 GMC 1500
Ocklawaha, Florida AcrophobiA

ENGINE

• 350 5.7L V-8
• Wheel tubs

SUSPENSION

• 2-link
• Narrowed back half
• Narrowed rearend
• Viair 444 compressors
• Slam Specialties airbags
• QA1 shocks

WHEELS & TIRES

• Intro Twisted Flow 22 x 8.5 and 24 x 15-inch wheels
• 245/30 and 405/25 Pirelli tires

BODY & PAINT

• 1999 Escalade front end
• Grant Kustoms wheel tubs
• Bed liner
• Custom taillights
• Shaved door handles, taillights
• Street Scene grille
• Pinstriping by Mikey

INTERIOR

• Dakota Digital gauges
• iPad
• Denon A-100 head unit
• Arc Audio amplifiers
• JBL speakers
• Corbeau seats
• Dynamat
• Lokar shifter
• Ron Francis wiring

---