A Throwback to the ’80s

THE TEXAS-BUILT C-20 you see here had always been part of Jason Hill’s life, and at one point, it was his daily driver. It’s fairly common for shop owners to have a shop truck that they use for promotions and advertising, which is how Jason used his ’88 Silverado crew cab. The square body served for more than 10 years and had seen its fair share of duty as a tow vehicle and a parts runner. Once the engine gave out, it was parked on the side of the shop for about three or four years, but Jason knew that one day he’d rebuild and customize the truck.

Jason often talked with his employees about his dream of customizing an ’80s-style, four-door truck. One of his ambitious workers, Jerry, understood Jason’s vision and after the regular work day was finished, he got to work on the VH1 project. Jason wanted to make sure that the truck had an ’80s feel to it but with a modern twist. The suspension was the first thing they tackled, adding McGaughy’s famous drop spindles. A RideTech airbag system, including shortened arms, complemented the lowered height. The rear suspension received a C-notch and rear bridge equipped with Firestone airbags so that the lowered suspension could travel freely. The RideTech components ensured that the truck would still be able to tow a trailer.

If one day you hear ’80s hair metal blaring in the distance, you’ll know it’s just the VH1 cruiser rolling down the highway.

The truck’s exterior was done in an ’80s monotone paint style, meaning all paint no chrome. A shorter bed was swapped in and the stake bed pockets and rear bridge were removed. The rear tailgate was shaved, and a 54-inch LED brake light was added. The cab received a few subtle tricks, too, the door handles were shaved and the cab seams were smoothed. The bumpers underwent a process known as blind bolting, which kept them looking smooth. Once the truck was prepped it was sprayed Hill’s Hot Rod Red custom mixed from PPG two-stage paint. Then Jason decided that the paint job could use some artwork, so a panel was added to the truck to accent its bodyline. Black and white artwork adorns the sides of the truck and wraps around the tailgate. Once the paint job was complete, the truck resembled the Van Halen C/K built by Boyd Coddington back in the day, hence the name, VH1.

With the dash and interior doors painted red, it was a natural choice to continue the theme and cover the entire interior in scarlet. The front bench seat was removed and updated with Suburban bucket seats, and a custom center console that holds all of the truck’s modern essentials was added. Jimmy Davis of JD Glassworks wrapped the ultra leather interior. Other interior tricks include a suede headliner and Dakota Digital gauges Jimmy Davis installed a custom sound system made up of Infinity speakers powered by a JBL five-channel amplifier, controlled through the JVC single-DIN, flip- out head unit.

As we mentioned earlier, the truck was parked due to engine trouble, so Jason made sure to install a reliable power plant. Jason bought a brand-new GM Performance crate engine, but he didn’t want to just add any old carbureted engine to his truck; so, he opted to use a newer fuel-injected Ram Jet 350 SBC, which meant that he could enjoy the 425 hp that came straight from the crate. The engine was outfitted with a stock serpentine system that includes all of the modern amenities like power steering and AC. The Ram Jet fuel injection ensures that the engine runs properly. A 700R4 transmission was added for overdrive during long runs.

Jason and his team pulled off their ’80s dream truck. If one day you hear ’80s hair metal blaring in the distance, you’ll know it’s just the VH1 cruiser rolling down the highway. Just make sure to stay out of its way, because this crazy train stops for no one.

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BUILD SPECS

OWNER

JASON HILL
Hill’s Hot Rods
1988 Chevrolet C-20 crew cab
Lubbock, TX

ENGINE

• GM Performance Ram Jet 350 with 425 hp
• K&N air filter
• 3-inch aluminized exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers
• 700R4 transmission
• 3.73:1 gear ratio

SUSPENSION & CHASSIS

• ¾-ton frame swapped for ½- ton frame
• McGaughy’s drop spindles
• RideTech control arms, rear 4-link with pan hard bar and HQ shocks
• Firestone airbags

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22×8.5 and 22×10-inch Bonspeed Pallisades billet wheels custom-painted gloss black, hoops, flat and glossy red centers and white handpainted pinstripe
• 255/30R22 and 285/35R22 Nitto 555

BODY & PAINT

• PPG Hill’s Hot Rod Red two- stage paint
• Black and white sharpie-style graphics
• Shaved and tucked factory bumpers
• Custom notch cover in bed
• Bed covered in Line-X spray- on bed liner
• Shaved emblems, door handles, rain gutters, stake pockets, taillights and tailgate handle
• 54-inch LED flushed into tailgate

INTERIOR

• Shop: JD Glassworks
• Modified Suburban bucket seats
• Red ultra leather upholstery
• Red suede headliner
• Custom-built center console with monitor and cup holders
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Painted Raceline billet steering wheel
• Vintage Air AC
• JVC single-DIN head unit
• Infinity speakers
• JBL five-channel amplifier
• Kicker processors
• Dynamat sound-deadening material

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