A Cross-Country Custom S-10

The journey to completing a custom truck can have its share of frustrations and learning experiences, but also plenty of joy, satisfaction and camaraderie. Once the project is completed, it’s up to the owner whether or not they enjoy the truck by traveling with it around the country to shows and cruise nights, or let it languish in the garage or on a trailer. Being behind the wheel of a custom creation and the looks garnered on the highway is part of the experience.

It can be tough to drive a custom truck daily, but when you’re a body man by trade and a part-time upholsterer like Matthew Reynolds of Pasadena, Maryland, it’s no chore to keep a truck in top-notch condition when show season comes around. Matthew makes it his goal to drive his custom ’94 Chevrolet S-10 at least four times a week, and he’s taken it practically all over the country. He’s traveled from his northeastern home to Houston, Florida and Memphis several times for shows, and the truck only rode on a trailer once when it was headed to the paint booth. Since then, it’s racked up miles while cruising low.

The truck’s altitude was lowered thanks to a custom-boxed, back-halved frame by Matthew and the truck’s original owner, his best friend Mickey McColgan. Todd Wilt body-dropped the cab 3 ½ inches. A Pete & Jake’s reverse 4-link was chromed and attached to a smoothed rearend. Going the untraditional route, a pair of 10-inch hydraulic cylinders connected to a pair of Porky’s pumps with Delta dumps are used with custom power ball pivot mounts. Up front, a set of Ride Tech control arms saddle 8-inch cylinders with stock cut-down springs and Belltech 2-inch drop spindles. For clearance, an S-10 Blazer booster was used with a reverse swing Wilwood brake pedal. A set of 20 x 8-inch Intro Prowler wheels wrapped in 245/35 Firestone tires tops things off.

The engine was kept fairly stock to extend gas mileage for long road trips, but a cold air intake was added. For clearance, the radiator was flush mounted with electric fans, and the intake manifold was sectioned. A newer front end was added with a full phantom billet grille and Sonoma hood. A set of Colorado taillights was molded in with help from Greg Keeney before the truck was sprayed flat PPG Ice Blue Pearl and pinstriped.

Next, Matthew turned his attention to the inside of the S-10 at Charm City Upholstery. The seats’ head rests were removed and wrapped in khaki vinyl and sand-colored suede. The door panels and dash were wrapped to match. Plenty of billet goodies were added, including a Audio W6 12-inch subwoofers and Boston Acoustic component speakers throughout were installed. The system is powered by an Alpine 400×2 and a 1000×5 Clarion amplifier and controlled by a flip-out Kenwood head unit.

No truck build is ever completed without the help of some close friends. Special thanks go out to Steve Smith, Jordan Cramer, Jacob Gonzalez, Jason Castillo, Greg Keeney, and Nate, Greg and Eric of Lowkey. The memories shared during the build will last longer than the sheet metal. ST

---

MATTHEW REYNOLDS
1994 Chevrolet S-10
Pasadena, MD
Relaxed Atmosphere

TRUCK SPECS

ENGINE

• Four-cylinder
• Sectioned intake manifold
• Cold air intake
• Flush-mount radiator

BODY

• Colorado taillights
• Phantom billet grille
• PPG Flat Ice Blue Pearl

WHEELS & TIRES

• 20 x 8-inch Intro Prowler
• 245/35 Firestone tires

INTERIOR

• Khaki vinyl and sand- colored suede
• Biscuit Superflex carpet
• JL Audio subwoofers
• Boston Acoustic
• Billet Specialties Fastlane steering wheel

---