A Squarebody Outlaw Born South of the Border

When it comes to squarebodies, Ernesto Nunez from the Rio Grande Valley isn’t just a fan—he’s a disciple. But La 88? It’s more than just a truck. It’s a rare Mexico-born, neck-breaking machine that bends the rules and turns heads everywhere it goes. This ain’t your average C10 story—this is a 1988 Chevy Cheyenne that shouldn’t even exist in the U.S. world of squarebodies. But thanks to that one-year extension south of the border, La 88 lives, breathes, and dominates as a true unicorn of the streets.

This truck is straight outta Mexico! While U.S. production wrapped the GM squarebody legacy in ‘87, Mexican factories cranked out one last run in ‘88 before transitioning to the OBS era. That makes this truck a genuine borderland legend. Rare. Raw. Real. Ernesto brought her home with a purpose.

Pop the hood and things get serious. Sitting between those fenders is a snarling 5.3L LT engine snatched from a 2018 Silverado.The engine is now paired with a buttery-smooth 8-speed automatic that lays down power like a hot knife through butter. The swap was engineered to perfection by Juan Silva out of League City, Texas. And make no mistake, this isn’t just a cruiser. La 88 moves! The LT platform delivers instant torque, crisp throttle response, and that unmistakable modern reliability. It’s the perfect fusion of old-school charm and new-school grunt.

A build like this takes more than time, it takes obsession too. Every detail has been touched, tuned, and tailored. The truck still rocks all the original body moldings, bumper guards up front for a touch of attitude, and brace yourself—an authentic 1988 tailgate that Ernesto literally hunted down in a Mexican junkyard. That’s dedication with a capital D.

La 88 rolls in with a stunning two-tone blue metallic over silver paint job that hits just right under the sun. It’s clean. It’s classic. It’s the kind of paint that makes you stop mid-scroll to zoom in and drool. Every line is sharp, and every curve was polished to perfection by Juan Flores in Mission, Texas.

This truck doesn’t just sit—it stares you down. Up front, DJM upper and lower control arms do the heavy lifting, while a custom rear coilover setup hugs the pavement with purpose. Riding on Raceline Charger wheels (22×8.5 in the front and a monstrous 24×12 reverse lip out back), La 88 has that perfect tucked stance that screams street-ready showstopper. Massive props to Andre Customs in South Houston for making that dream fitment a reality.

Slide into the cab and you’re hit with that rich, exotic feel thanks to a fully custom peanut-colored leather bench matched perfectly with a peanut-tone steering wheel. Don’t forget to notice the fresh Dakota Digital gauges lighting up the dash! This interior space presents comfort, class, and attitude all stitched into one.

Ernesto has poured over a decade into this build. What began as a simple motor swap quickly spiraled into a full-on frame-off restoration. Big wheels. Big brakes. Big dreams. Like any real project, La 88 is a living build always evolving, and always pushing the limits. “I’d love to throw it on air eventually”, Ernesto says. “But right now, I’m just loving driving it to every show I can hit.”

It’s a tribute to a legendary platform. It’s a build that bridges borders, and is a story of hustle, passion, and persistence. For those who know trucks, La 88 speaks loud and clear: Dream it. Build it. Drive it.

OWNER

Ernesto Nunez
1988 Cheyenne
Baytown, TX

Engine & Drivetrain

5.3L LT V-8
Engine built by Juan Silva
Custom headers
Borla 3-inch exhaust system
8-speed automatic transmission

Chassis & Suspension

Stock frame modified for static drop
DJM upper and lower control arms
Rear 3-link with coilovers

Wheels & Tires

22×8.5 and 24×12 Raceline Charger wheels with reverse lip

Body & Paint

OEM bumpers and headlights
Blue metallic with silver paint

Interior

Dakota Digital gauges
Raceline steering wheel
Custom bench seat