Hometown Heros of the Month | Reader Rides

A Born Classic

THIS ’72 CHEVROLET C-10 STEP-SIDE HAS BEEN PART OF SPENCER GIBBER’S LIFE SINCE HIS PARENTS BROUGHT HIM HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER HE WAS BORN. Previously owned by his grandfather, the C-10 has belonged to Spencer for the past four years. When he turned 17 his grandfather handed down the truck to him with only minor modifications, including a shaved gas door, new mirrors, steel wheels and a yellow paint job.

Since getting his hands on the ’72 Chevy, Spencer has been working hard to put his own spin on the classic. He painted the base of the body black, making the Chevy look slender and setting off the yellow exterior in sharp contrast. The engine compartment complements the two-tone color scheme even as the custom-built, forward-tilting hood grabs the eye.

Yet the modifications don’t stop there. The C-10 also features a custom-built back-half from 2×3-inch box steel and bent tubing. Spencer added a hard line setup, to give the truck extra flare and set it apart from the crowd. Even the bodydrop adds to the unique style as the ’72 hovers over the pavement on 20-inch billet wheels. The AccuAir e-Level air ride features VIAIR 444C chrome compressors, offering enhanced performance, custom stance and reliability.

Even though Spencer looks forward to more modifications in the future, it’s easy to see why he and his C-10 take the title in “Hometown Heroes.”

1982 Sleeper Setup

THIS ’82 THIRD GENERATION TOYOTA HILUX BELONGS TO JESSE BASIUK AND IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING AN ABSOLUTELY KILLER BUILD.

When Jesse found the diesel pickup the truck was missing a whole host of parts and featured a spraybomb paint job that covered a collection of dings, dents and rust spots. The 450,000km already on the odometer was just the icing on the cake.

Electing to spend his time on performance rather than tackling bodywork right away, Jesse quickly stripped the gray paint and clear-coated over what lay beneath. Turning his attention to the suspension, the Toyota now features a Detroit Truetrac diff erential from a later-model Toyota 4Runner 4×4, giving the pickup a needed boost. The ’82 now features Michigan Metal Works fl at stock control arms in the front coupled with Toyota drop spindles modified to fit.

In the rear, an NFamus universal wishbone 3-link with ’bag-on-bar setup takes residence to even out the ride. Slam Specialties SS-5 ’bags cover the front and rear of the Toyota’s suspension with an AccuAir e-Level for custom control. More minor modifi cations include a custom rear disc brake setup with custom-made caliber brackets, Cadillac DeVille calipers, Jeep Wrangler rotors with machined inserts and a master cylinder swapped from a Toyota Land Cruiser.

The whole of the suspension setup sits pretty on factory Dodge Charger 17×7-inch steelies painted in Chrysler Tequila Sunrise with bullet center caps.

The engine in place currently breathes out of stainless dual exhausts through the box before the wheels, though Jesse has future plans to swap in a TDI motor out of a VW. The ’82 also features a fuel cell gas tank with a modifi ed factory sending unit.

Having done all of the fabrication, paint, body and mechanical work to date, Jesse has shown through his ’82 Toyota just how far hard work can take a build.

Sleek Sierra

THE GMC SIERRA HAS A HISTORY OF FULL-SIZE, HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS RANGING BACK TO 1998, FOLLOWING THE CHEVROLET C AND K MODELS.

This 2016 Chevy GMC Sierra belonging to Billy Dusso lives up to that history of performance even as it makes the most of its factory-fresh appearance.

When contemplating the suspension, Billy opted to give the Sierra a fi ercely solid stance in the form of a 4/6 static drop. The new setup sits on 26-inch DUB Ballers S115 one-piece wheels, giving this Sierra build some cutting-edge style. Billy ensured the wheels were showcased and their style accentuated by adding 2.5-inch Spike lug nuts by MetalLugz. While much of the remainder of the GMC build looks like Billy just drove the Sierra off the lot—what with its smooth black paint job and hardly dated interior—he looks forward to continuing his modifi cations and plans to turn to the engine compartment next. While the GMC’s performance is nothing to scoff at, Billy hopes to make this Sierra’s bite as bad as its bark. ST