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

ONE RECURRING THEME WHEN you’re the editor of a custom truck mag is the ever-present question of “What does it take to get my truck featured?” For more than two decades I have heard this question asked in many different ways by many different people around the globe. And a pretty common answer from some might seem simple at first: “Well, look at the cars or trucks featured in that magazine and build something similar.” But, and a BIG BUT here (no Becky…), there are always some other factors and circumstances to consider. You see, there are, of course, the really nice full-out custom show trucks where every single nut and bolt has been replaced, with full custom paint and body, full custom interior, chassis and suspension, interior, etc., but…

EVERY NOW AND THEN, A truck build comes along that hits differently. Not just because of the parts bolted on or the paint sprayed down, but because of the story behind it. That’s exactly the case with David Pavich’s 1972 Chevy C10, better known in the scene as “Dimebagged.” The journey started like a lot of ours—scrolling classifieds, chasing leads, and dreaming of the perfect project. David finally struck gold in Alpharetta, Georgia, when he found a clean two-tone C10 that stopped him in his tracks. The color combo was killer, but seeing it in person made it real. As it rolled off the trailer, David knew this wasn’t just another truck; it was the truck. But like any real build story, things didn’t go smoothly right off the bat.…

DOWN IN the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, there’s a tradition unlike any other—every build gets baptized with a name. And once again, Cesar Tijerina has made sure his latest creation stands out with more than just its jaw-dropping looks. Meet “Color Blind,” a name that started as an inside joke among friends and quickly became a badge of honor for one of the most impressive C10s to roll out of deep South Texas. This isn’t your average shop truck. It’s a 1968 original short-wheelbase C10 that went from a bare frame to a full showstopper in just four months. That’s right—Cesar and his team touched every nut, bolt, weld, and panel in a whirlwind timeline that most wouldn’t dare to attempt. But for Cesar, it was just another…

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY THAT you come across a truck powered by a 1979 355 marine motor. That is exactly what Carson Henderson and his dad, Cody, did to Carson’s 1977 Chevy Silverado C30. This swap came about due to what happened the day they picked up the C30. The 454 blew up on the drive home—not the most ideal situation. Carson told us that despite the frustrations, all you can do is take a step back, take a deep breath, and try again the next day. That led him to the marine motor application, as it was something Carson told us inspired him to stand out and do something different. This thing is different, that’s for sure, but in the best way. Having laid eyes on the truck at…

SOME trucks just have that pull, you know, not because of shiny paint or big chrome, but because they’re built with real history under the hood. For Chase Calloway and Russell McClendon out of Palestine, Texas, their ‘83 GMC C10, “Old Mac,” is that kind of rig. It’s not just another slammed long bed. It’s a truck tied to their roots, their hometown, and years of backroad stories. Old Mac rolled off the lot at Chase’s granddad’s dealership way back in the day. Later on, it became the first ride for Russell’s best buddy in high school. After plenty of nights cruising and raising hell, the truck sat for years until an old neighbor, not knowing the story behind it, offered it back up to Chase. Once it hit the…

Hood Brace for 1973-1980 GM Trucks THESE WILL NOT ONLY REINFORCE THE HOOD TO HELP eliminate the common hood flex but will also add style to the underside of the hood. These 26-inch-long hood brackets are machined from 6061 T-6 billet aluminum and available in three finishes: machined aluminum, satin black anodized aluminum, or polished aluminum. All American Billet 844-245-5381 www.allamericanbillet.com Chevy Truck Parts Catalog NPD’S ALL-NEW PARTS CATALOG FOR 1947-1998 CHEVY C/K Series trucks is hot off the press! This 2026 edition catalog features 54 full-color pages and is packed with thousands of restoration parts and accessories for your classic GM pickup. Get your FREE copy by visiting NPD online or calling them directly. National Parts Depot 800-874-7595 www.npdlink.com 1967-1972 C10/C20 Premium Custom Interior Kit BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS…

SOURCE Classic Performance Products classicperform.com 800-522-5004 IF YOU’VE BEEN FOLLOWING OUR ’85 Chevy C10 build, you know we’ve already dropped in an amazing suspension upgrade. Since we installed the full Ridetech coilover setup, we’ve been dialing this truck in to be a real street carver. But all the go-fast parts in the world won’t mean a thing if you can’t bring it to a stop, and let’s be honest, factory brakes on a 40-year-old truck just won’t cut it. That’s why the next move in our build was securing a full front and rear big brake upgrade from the folks at Classic Performance Products. We bolted on CPP’s Pro Series big brake kit with 14-inch rotors to our CPP modular drop spindles up front and matched it with a 14-inch…

THE CHEVROLET K5 was originally introduced in 1969 to compete with Ford’s Bronco and Dodge’s Scout. One year later, the K5 was outselling both its competitors and became the most popular-selling sport utility vehicle. It’s no wonder it has become a very sought-after vehicle to customize for truck enthusiasts everywhere. Sam Harper III and his father, Sam Harper Jr., had built a ’57 Bel Air, but at the top of Sam III’s list of vehicles he wanted was a K5 Blazer. Once he was able to sell his custom Bel Air, he began his search, finding a perfect base for his ideas. The K5 was originally owned by Loren Hoover, a fellow truck builder, so Sam knew it was already loved and cared for. A big brake kit was installed…

WHEN IT COMES TO DIALING in a killer LS swap, you can’t cut corners on the front drive system. For Project Rocky, we weren’t about to settle for anything less than top-tier. That’s why we turned to CVF Racing and its Reaper Serpentine System to get our 5.3L Chevy LS looking sharp and running smooth. When you select the right parts, this kit has everything you need to complete the install in one clean, well-built package. The Reaper system is CVF’s top-of-the-line billet aluminum 8-track setup, and once you see it in person, you’ll know how it got its name. This thing looks like it was carved out of solid muscle. It is CNC machined right here in the USA and packed with billet aluminum brackets, spacers, and pulleys that…

WHEN JIMMY Stewart decided to build his dream truck, he didn’t just aim to turn heads—he aimed to break necks. His 1965 Chevrolet C10 isn’t just slammed to the ground and bagged; it’s stuffed with diesel muscle, packed with custom work from front to back, and it goes by the name WARPNY1. And yeah, it definitely lives up to the name. This C10 is a full-on, no-BS shop truck gone mad. Straight outta Edmond, Oklahoma, Jimmy built something that doesn’t just sit pretty; it throws hands with anything on the street or the show floor. And if you’re wondering what makes this build different from the sea of patina-clad pickups out there, buckle up. THE HEART OF THE BEAST Tucked under the hood is a 6.1L straight-six Cummins pulled from…

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT A squarebody that just hits different—ask Chance, and he’ll tell you straight up. His love for the classic Chevrolet C10 runs deep—all the way back to his childhood. His dad has owned a 1985 C10 since Chance was a baby, and ever since, the squared-off lines and old-school muscle of that generation have held a permanent place in his heart. So when the opportunity came up in 2013, Chance finally got his hands on one. It was in decent shape, but there was one glaring problem: a full-blown real flame paint job that was more 2001 car show than timeless classic. “It wasn’t me,” Chance says. “But I saw the potential.” At the time, Chance was completely new to the custom truck scene. He didn’t know the…

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GET READY TO REV YOUR engines and feel the thunder, because Battle in Bama is back at the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. This year, it brought even more horsepower, heart, and heritage. Now in its second year at the famed racetrack, Battle in Bama continues to push the envelope. Spearheaded by Craig Rowley and his dedicated team, the event introduced an exciting new twist for 2025. Registered participants got the rare chance to take a lap around the iconic NASCAR oval! That’s right—gearheads had the opportunity to cruise Talladega in their custom rides, making memories in motion on one of the most storied tracks in motorsports history. But let’s get down to what really gets our blood pumping—C10s. Whether you’re into patina perfection, fully shaved restomods, or air-bagequipped…