1984 Chevrolet C-10 Built by Fly Rydes Kustom Toys

Jason Mulligan . February 10, 2026 . c10 . JOHN JACKSON

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A Trick C-10 Created by Fly Rydes

It all began more than a decade ago when Dennis Hines of Houston was stopped in his tracks by a square body C-10 sitting in a nearby junkyard. He picked it up cheap and drove it daily for many years. That was until he crossed paths with Ernest “Big E” Lowery of Fly Rydes Kustom Toys and decided to transform the stock daily driver into a custom creation. The build was a complete overhaul that took just over eight months. The shop that handled the makeover is Fly Rydes out of Houston, which was initially started as a joint venture between Ernest and rapper Chamillionaire to create custom rides for the music world elite, athletes, corporations and more. Recently, Ernest has taken over and transformed the company into a hub of customs from trucks and classics to motorcycles and cars.

1984 Chevrolet C-10 Built by Fly Rydes Kustom Toys

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The truck’s transformation began when it was delivered to nearby Ekstensive Metal Works to be put on air. The crew at Ekstensive notched the frame, Z’d the front cross member and installed a 2-link setup with KYB shocks on the rearend that was narrowed 4 inches and outﬁtted with 1996 Impala disc brakes. Up front, custom control arms were used with 3-inch drop spindles. The airbags are supplied with plenty of nitrogen thanks to a painted tank mounted into the smoothed and lined sheet metal bed. Stainless steel brake lines and Billet Specialties pedals were added to help bring the massive 24 x 9- and 24 x 11-inch Intro Retro billet wheels wrapped in 235/30 and 295/35 Nexen tires. Next, Ernest transplanted a 1997 Chevrolet 5.7L LT1 motor into the C-10 and outﬁtted it with MSD ignition, Hedman headers and Magnaﬂow 3- inch exhaust. A Be Cool radiator takes care of cooling the truck during humid Houston summers.

The exterior got the most attention. Walter D shaved the door handles, mirrors and gas door; welded up a Grant Kustoms roll pan and gave the doors the suicide treatment. One Piece Products windows were installed. Up front, the grille was swapped for a 1990 GMC shell with LMC Truck headlights and a custom Fly Rydes emblem. Finally, Ernest laid down a two-tone PPG paint scheme in a mix of green and cream pearl. Brent Lindamood was brought in to airbrush and stripe a set of classic trim-inspired red graphics and custom emblems on the truck.

The interior was not to be outdone, however. The carpeting was replaced with old school green loop, and the factory plastics were dyed to match the rest of the two- tone. The seats were covered in a combination light green leather and suede. Ernest ﬁberglassed the factory dash smooth so it could be painted to match before installing a billet gauge panel complete with Auto Meter gauges and a Billet Specialties steering wheel. A Vintage Air setup was a must.

Of course, the truck wouldn’t be complete until it had a trick sound system. A custom ﬂowing center console and custom kick panels were built allowing Noah Taylor to install the Rockford Fosgate 10-inch subwoofer, speakers and ampliﬁer, as well as a JVC head unit.

Once the journey was completed, Dennis and his wife fell in love with the truck once again, and both enjoy cruising in the custom C-10, thanks to Ernest Lowery of Fly Rydes, Bill Carlton and crew of Ekstensive Metal Works, Walter D, Noah Taylor and Brent Lindamood. ST