An S-10 That Started a Career

The process of building a custom truck is not only tedious, it can also change your life. There are various reasons why we start projects, and a particularly good one is as a way to learn new skills. Shawn Glass of Hampstead, Maryland has always been into cars and trucks because his father owned a transmission shop. He was educated on wrenching rides getting his hands dirty in the shop.

Back in 2000, Shawn’s dad wanted to get someone in the family involved with paint and body for personal rides. Since he was busy on the mechanical side, he intended to get Shawn started on the craft. His plan was to start Shawn out on a father-and-son project so that he could develop the talent needed to be a successful painter. Shawn’s dad bought the Chevy S-10 featured here when Shawn was just 15 years old to use as a teaching tool.

At the time, Shawn had a lot of friends who were into lowered trucks, and he decided to follow suit with his own ride. First, he lopped off the back half of the frame and created a new version out of 2×4-inch steel. Then he fabricated a rear triangulated 4-link and mounted a set of 2,600-pound airbags over the axle. For the front, the coil springs were removed and the frame was cut to accept another set of airbags. A set of dropped spindles helps get the truck lower. After the suspension was set, the truck was given a 3 ½-inch traditional body drop.

During the time it took to shape up his S-10, Shawn’s father got sick and could no longer work on it or anything else at the shop. Stepping up to the plate, Shawn’s brother Dale took over the transmission shop and rebuilt the automatic trans that bolts behind the six-cylinder engine. Next, for better performance and to fix spacing issues, an air cleaner from S&S Cycle was adapted to fit. On the other end, the exhaust manifold was ceramic coated and a custom exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler was created.

The body wasn’t in the best condition and needed lots of special attention. The bed and front end were so bad they were swapped out for parts that were in better condition. For the cab, Shawn started replacing the rocker panels, but ultimately ended up getting a complete new cab to save time, and he shaved the firewall in the process, too.

Not only did Shawn get the S-10 straight, but he also decided to improve its appearance. He swapped in a GMC Sonoma grille and created a custom bumper made by fusing together the top halves from two S-10 bumpers. He used sheet metal on the inside of the fenders to smooth them and create a custom set of wheel tubs. For the bed, a CanDo Specialties combo skin kit replaced the tailgate and rear bumper. A smoothed bed floor was made from sheet metal to cover the frame and suspension. After the door handles and fuel door were shaved, the entire body was coated in Sikkens Green Pearl to match a color found on certain Jeep Wranglers. A set of 17-inch KMC Wingnut wheels with Nitto rubber completes the look.

Inside the cab, Shawn cleaned everything up. The bench seat, headliner and door panel inserts were covered in vinyl and suede by Brad Wurbacher of Driven Fab & Upholstery in Middle River,  green pearl. Joe Lane airbrushed the custom center console that holds the air gauges and Little Larry’s manual valves. The sound system was upgraded with a Kenwood head unit and JL Audio speakers.

When the truck was finished, Shawn’s dad’s plan was a success. Shawn learned the skills he needed to finish project vehicles. The build took a lot longer than expected, but he was motivated to see it through. When he found out he was going to be a father, he rushed to get the S-10 completed before all of his spare time would be taken up by his daughter. During the process, he was able to master his craft, and he currently makes his living as a painter. Though he spends more time on restoration jobs than customs, he’s able to support his family doing something he enjoys. ST

SHAWN LEARNED THE SKILLSHE NEEDED TO FINISH PROJECT VEHICLES. THE BUILD TOOK A LOT LONGER THAN EXPECTED, BUT HE WAS MOTIVATED TO SEE IT THROUGH.”

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNERS

Shawn Glass
1984 Chevrolet S-10
Hampstead, MD

ENGINE

• 4.3L V-6
• Rebuilt automatic transmission by BetterBuild Transmissions
• S&S Cycle air cleaner
• Ceramic-coated factory exhaust manifolds
• Custom exhaust with Magnaflow muffler
• Custom fuel cell

SUSPENSION

• Firestone 2,600-pound airbags
• Belltech dropped spindles
• Custom back-half frame
• Triangulated 4-link
• Little Larry’s manual valves
• Chassis Tech compressor

WHEELS & TIRES

• 17×7 and 17×8 KMC Wheels Wingnut
• 225/45R17 Nitto Neo Gen

BODY & PAINT

• 3 ½-inch traditional body drop
• GMC Sonoma front grille
• Custom-made front bumper
• Sheet metal bed floor
• Shaved door handles, cab seams and fuel door
• CanDo rear combo skin
• Lexan rear window
• Sikkens Green Pearl paint

INTERIOR

• Shop: Brad Wurbacher of Driven Fab & Upholstery/Owner
• Bench seat reshaped, door panel inserts and headliner covered in tan vinyl and suede
• All plastics dyed tan or painted green pearl
• Custom center console airbrushed by Joe Lane
• Billet steering wheel and door handles
• Kenwood head unit
• JL Audio 6×9 coax speakers, 10-inch subwoofer and 250×1 amplifier
• Kinetik battery

Special Thanks: To my mom, dad, Dale, Nick, Little Larry’s Manual Valves and my wife Allison

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