Table of contents for Spring 2025 in C10 Builder's Guide

THIS YEAR, AS I WALK THROUGH THE busy halls of the SEMA show, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia. For me, this annual event in Las Vegas has become more than just a showcase of the latest automotive innovations; it’s a celebration of my passion for custom classic trucks and decades given to the automotive industry as a whole. Juggling my work, passion, and my responsibilities to my family as a professional in the automotive industry is no small feat (especially this time of year). Each year, the SEMA show serves as the perfect opportunity to build and grow professional relationships, but these days I ensure that these hard weeks and months DON’T distract or take away from what truly matters—my family. My kids have…

WHILE MEXICO HAS long been a top destination for year-round relaxation with hotspots like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Tulum drawing crowds of sun-seekers, a different kind of energy is stirring in Aguascalientes. This vibrant city is home to one of the most anticipated classic truck events of the year: The Chevroleteros’ Annual Truck Show. This year’s event saw an impressive turnout with over 3,500 attendees, more than 800 trucks and vehicles, and representation from 140 clubs all across Mexico. The show’s growth has been remarkable, with each year bringing better craftsmanship, innovative designs, and the same unmistakable good vibes. Truck owners, builders, and enthusiasts arrive as early as Friday to soak in the atmosphere, though the main event kicks off on Sunday. Some even made the journey all the way…

The project began in the garage behind his house, where Cris envisioned building a daily-driven street truck that would turn heads. THE C10 STANDS AS ONE OF THE most iconic trucks in the custom automotive industry, and Cris Saenz’s truck, affectionately named Risen C10, epitomizes the essence of a simple yet striking street truck. This journey began in 2004 when Cris’ father stumbled upon a hidden gem—a true barn find C10 in Washington state. He purchased it and drove it back to Texas, presenting it to Cris as his very first truck. This generous gift ignited a passionate love for C10s in Cris, setting him on a path that would lead to the creation of this dream vehicle. Hailing from the small town of Mission, Texas, Cris dedicated years of…

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE RUMBLE of a fresh new engine firing up for the very first time? We recently had that moment with Project Rocky when we turned the key and cranked up our brand new beefed up Summit Racing 5.3-liter Gen 3 LS1. It has taken nearly two full years to get this truck to its current state, but we wanted this one to be done right with no corners cut. A full frame-off restoration went down on this 1979 Chevy C10, and the process was nothing less than painfully exciting. We experienced each and every possible emotion throughout the build that made us appreciate the process all the way to the end. The last few weeks of the project were focused on getting all the loose ends…

DCC-4000 Climate Controller DAKOTA DIGITAL’S NEW CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM plugs directly into Vintage Air’s Gen 5 (and Gen 4) AC systems, offering the user full climate control functionality. Simply select your preferred temperature, and the DCC-4000 takes it from there using varying fan speeds and cooling needs to hold the desired temp level. Available with a chrome or black housing finish, the display color theme is user-configurable, as is the orientation of horizontal or vertical mounting. For those using Dakota Digital’s popular HDX, RTX or GRFX Series gauges, enjoy all the color themes and brightness levels that you’re used to as they will automatically sync for a fully integrated experience. Dakota Digital 800-852-3228 www.dakotadigital.com EVOLVE by AVS WITH 125-PLUS YEARS OF COMBINED experience, the AVS team has come together to…

MOST OF us have good build ideas when we buy a new project truck. Whether it’s a full out custom build or a cool daily driver, we know what route we want to go when we start. Brandon Putzier from Meridian, Idaho, knew exactly what he wanted when he picked up his 1968 Chevrolet C10—just a nice lowered cruiser that he and his wife Karen could hop in and take out on date night or a trip to the store. But, like many of us have experienced, those plans quickly changed. Going down the parts research rabbit hole, Brandon figured out he could take the truck to a totally new level with a few more upgrades than he originally planned. From what started as a simple project has obviously turned…

BUILDS FROM THE UNITED States have long been considered the gold standard in the custom automotive scene, setting trends in the fusion of both aesthetics and performance. Meanwhile, Mexico has been making its own mark, crafting a unique style of fabrication using homegrown ingenuity. One of the standout figures in this movement is Luis and his Auto Clinic Restomod team. Over the years, Luis has developed a reputation for delivering full frame-off builds that can rival even the most impressive projects north of the border. With only a handful of shops in Mexico capable of fabricating custom chassis in-house, Luis takes immense pride in his ability to do so. His talent has been recognized with back-to-back Best Custom Truck trophies at the C10 Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas—most notably for…

BUILDING CUSTOM VEHICLES FOR customers takes tons of time and work. When you do that for a living, having a chance to do your own personal vehicle is usually very limited. That’s why most shops use customer builds as their business cards and don’t have their own vehicles promoting their business. But Andy and Jamie Mayes from Maz-Coat Customs in Toccoa, Georgia, decided it was time to do something of their own. They had a 1970 Chevy C10 they picked up with plans to work on but unfortunately due to time constraints, it sat for a bit before finally getting a little love. Knowing they wanted the truck to lay out for shows, they reached out toRoadster Shop to order a full air-ride chassis from them. Once they had the…

WHETHER through years of saving, trading, or late nights in the garage, we all have that dream vehicle we’re working hard to create. For Adan Ramirez Ruvalcaba, his passion for custom trucks and cars began in his hometown of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Despite the challenges of building custom vehicles there, Adan’s resourcefulness, combined with the help of friends, allowed him to bring several dream builds to life. His inspiration was fueled by publications like Street Trucks and other magazines, which exposed him to the endless possibilities of the custom scene. One day, Adan found himself with a ’67 C10, and the wheels were set into motion for his ultimate build. After five years of hard work, late nights, and countless trades, his vision became reality. The project was entrusted to Israel…

JAY CHURCH, A NAME WELL-KNOWN IN THE automotive industry, has graced the pages of numerous magazines, which have included his two cover trucks in Street Trucks magazine, his cars, and even multiple big-wheel bagger builds over the years. Life gets in the way, as we all know, and after stepping away from the truck scene for several years—during which time he only owned a bagged 1965 Cadillac—Jay decided it was time to re-enter the truck world. With the Negative Camber 30th anniversary show and Slamboree less than a year away, Jay knew he had to make a stylish return. But as of September 2021, he didn’t have a truck. Tragedy struck when Jay’s good friend, Leo Renaud, passed away. Leo left Jay a motorcycle, which Jay sold to another friend,…

TO BECOME A high-caliber show, it usually takes a few years of hosting and promoting before it takes off. Triple Crown of Rodding organizers did it a little bit differently. They kicked off their show in 2023 with some of the hottest builds in the country. Presented by Bobby Alloway and Gary Case—guys who know their way around a hot rod—the show was destined to become a killer, high-caliber event. After seeing the caliber of trucks at the first show, I knew I couldn’t miss the 2024 show, so I booked the trip to the Nashville Superspeedway and loaded my camera gear. Because it was the second year of the show, I knew the level of build would be even higher than the first year, and I didn’t want to…

SMALL TOWN AMERICA IS slowly being taken over by big cities. Finding that quiet, country-feeling town with no hustle and bustle usually takes some searching. So, when we heard of an all-GM classic truck show in a small town in the mountains, we added it to our calendar. Tucked back in the mountains of eastern Tennessee lies Greenville—a small town that was perfect for the event. This show was brought to you by Bryan Harrison of Harrison’s Rod & Custom, who is no stranger to cool GM trucks. With the help of Auto Metal Direct, the show crew put together a laid-back event that allowed showgoers and spectators to hang out and enjoy some trucks. Friday night before the event, the crew held a VIP event on the roof of…