Table of contents for Fall 2024 in C10 Builder's Guide

MAN OH MAN, summer is in full swing! And the temps aren’t holding anything back at the moment either haha. As we write this we’re gearing up for another HOT show season and some fantastic classic builds to bring you from coast to coast. As you might have noticed for this issue’s cover truck, we hit something a little different. It’s not everyday you see a badass lifted K5, especially not one built to this level of detail! As you know by now, we strive to bring you ALL types of classic Bow Ties, from squares to Jimmys, and slammed and lifted K5s and everything in between. And although we generally fill these pages with some of the finest builds around, we also want to make sure we highlight some…

YOU’VE CERTAINLY HEARD THE phrase “hauling the mail” before, and at some point in your life, you’ve probably strove to do just that—at a higher than recommended rate of speed. More than likely, that was behind the wheel of a vehicle, but it’s not often that you think of an actual “haul” vehicle when thinking of the phrase. But just like with everything in the automotive world, there’s always that one guy! Jhan Gonzalez of Homestead, Florida, owns and operates a custom auto shop called Built By Trap. While Jhan builds custom rides for clients of various tastes, his personal passion resides with classic squarebody trucks. But Jahn isn’t one to just blend in like so many C10 owners seem to these days. So, when it came time to customize…

WE ALWAYS FEATURE SOME OF THE VERY BEST BUILDS IN THESE PAGES—CRAZY CUSTOM BUILDS, LIFTED, LOWERED, RESTO-MOD, ETC.—BUT IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET A CHANCE TO HIGHLIGHT EVERYDAY CRUISERS AND “HOMETOWN HEROES” WITH THEIR CLASSIC CHEVY TRUCKS RESTORED IN THEIR HOME GARAGES. WE WANTED TO HIT ON SOME MORE OF THESE BUILDS AND SHOWCASE THESE MORE REGULARLY HERE, SO HERE WE ARE! Remember how cool the world of online message board forums used to be? The idea of logging on and plugging into a community of like-minded enthusiasts online is still a viable method of giving and receiving help with truck projects and asking for recommendations on parts and products, but it has slowed down some since those old days. These websites are still humming with daily traffic from…

BUILDING A vehicle from the ground up is like no other experience. Sure, there are trials and tribulations along the way, but that feeling you get when you’re driving around in your finished ride knowing you did the majority of the work to create this beautiful rig of yours—ahh! There’s no feeling like it! That’s exactly how Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada, resident Dave McKean feels about his 1977 GMC Jimmy. Having been in the automotive industry for 36 years and done partial builds before, Dave wanted to build a vehicle from the ground up, and he chose the ’77 Jimmy as the perfect platform. Purchased in April 2018, this factory 2WD Jimmy was destined for great things. Having done extensive research on what he wanted to do to the truck, Dave…

“To my surprise, it was the Blazer I was going to buy for $4,500! The guy I knew still had it and had never touched it.” OMAR DELGADO IS SERIOUS about C10s. He’s been known to dabble in an OBS here and there, but ’67-’72 GM trucks are his number one passion. About a decade ago, he was ready to add another to his long list of builds. “After owning a couple of C10s, I noticed that the K5s were starting to get popular,” he said. “I found myself looking at different style Blazers: lifted, dropped with tops, and then roadsters just caught my eye, which is when I started the search process. It was time to go topless!” Don’t worry, Omar—we know what you meant. California weather is usually…

DAYTONA SURE KNOWS HOW TO OPEN UP THE SHOW SEASON IN STYLE! YOU MAY HAVE SEEN OUR COVERAGE OF THE FALL TURKEY RUN IN THE PAST, AND THE SPRING TURKEY RUN CONTINUES FOR ITS 38TH YEAR NOW. NOT QUITE AS LARGE AS THE FALL EVENT BUT JUST AS MUCH FUN IS THE SPRING VERSION, WHICH USES THE SAME FORMAT THAT BEGINS WITH A MARVELOUS COLLECTION OF CUSTOM AND CLASSIC VEHICLES PARKED ON THE INFIELD OF THE DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. MoChecking out the imaginative approaches used by thousands of builders is a treat for any enthusiast. Move to the center of the track and you will find hundreds of swap meet vendors, happy to help you with your latest restoration project. From the smallest cotter pins to blown V-8s on stands,…

IN THE REALM OF AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIASTS, HAVING A CUSTOM BUILD FEATURED IN MAGAZINES MIGHT SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE AN UNATTAINABLE DREAM. THE BELIEF THAT SUCH FEATS REQUIRE EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND RESOURCES CAN BE DISCOURAGING. HOWEVER, FOR INDIVIDUALS LIKE EVAN OLIVER, THIS DREAM BECAME A REALITY RIGHT IN HIS OWN GARAGE. MEET BETTY, A 1982 CHEVY C10—A TESTAMENT TO EVAN’S DEDICATION, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND LOVE FOR CLASSIC TRUCKS. From the custom bench seat and door panels to the cowl hood and factory replacement bumpers, Betty was undergoing a stunning metamorphosis. Evan, a seasoned builder with an innate talent for transforming vehicles into rolling works of art, embarked on his journey with Betty more than two decades ago. Despite the perceived constraints of budget and resources, Evan’s determination knew no bounds. Betty,…

IN THE PURSUIT of blending modern comfort with timeless style, Project Rocky reaches an important stage as we install our new Cruiser Series interior kit from TMI Products. This latest addition redefines the driving experience, combining functionality with a clean, basic aesthetic. The Cruiser Collection, freshly introduced by TMI Automotive Products, is designed specifically for those seeking simplicity without compromise. Crafted with attention to detail, these seats offer a budget friendly option without skimping on quality or comfort. Available in two bucket seat styles and two bench seat widths, the Cruiser Collection caters to diverse preferences while maintaining a cohesive, OE-inspired design. The allure of the Cruiser Collection lies not only in its functionality but also in its ease of installation. Fully assembled and ready to bolt into place, these seats…

EVERY YEAR, TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS FROM across the nation gather in Conroe, Texas, for one of the most anticipated events in the custom truck scene: Lone Star Throwdown. Among the array of stunning trucks that grace the event, one particular category always stands out above the rest (we may be a bit biased here). Classic Chevrolet C10s, known for their timeless design and customizable nature, have become a staple at Lone Star Throwdown, captivating attendees with their unique and vintage charm each and every year. The C10 community is a tight-knit group bonded by their love for these vintage Chevys. Lone Star Throwdown provides them with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their passion projects and to connect with fellow enthusiasts coast-to-coast. From meticulously restored classics to fully customized show-stoppers, the variety…

THE 1960S AND ’70S played host to the original explosion of offerings in the SUV market, with many of the big-name manufacturers coming out with some form of sport utility vehicle alongside their pony and muscle car offerings during these two decades. But for Chevrolet C/K truck fans, you can’t get much more iconic than the classic Chevrolet K5 Blazer. For many kids in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, the K5 Blazer was a typical family vehicle—one that doubled as a workhorse on the weekend at that. Initially designed as a direct competitor to the International Harvester Scout, which made its debut for the 1961 model year, and the first-generation Ford Bronco, which made its debut in 1966, the K5 Blazer offered more space for both families and cargo than…

“Anything is possible if you put YOUR ideas into your project and don’t let anybody change your mind. Your vision, your way.” IN THE SPRAWLING EXPANSE OF THE NEVADA DESERT WHERE TIME CARVES AS MUCH HISTORY AS IT DOES THE RUGGED LANDSCAPE, THERE RESIDES A SYMBOL OF PERSEVERANCE: A 1977 CHEVROLET C10 STEPSIDE. IT CARRIES A TALE OF TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY, LOVINGLY RESTORED BY JOHN “SONNY” RUCKRIGL JR., A MAN WHOSE RESILIENCE RIVALS THE VERY METAL HE’S SHAPED. SONNY, A PROUD MEMBER OF THE SINCITY C/10 TRUCK CLUB AND A RETIRED AIR FORCE VETERAN, CHOSE TO BUILD THIS TRUCK AS A BEACON OF STRENGTH AFTER A SNOWSTORM IN 1992 LEFT IT BESIEGED BY RUST. Little did he know that this off-frame restoration would become a 26-year odyssey, reflecting every curveball…