Feature
Images by THE AUTHORhen the world outside has come to a standstill around you, it’s probably a good time to take on a hobby or two. Joe Rastiello of Jefferson, New Jersey, figured the COVID-19 shutdown was as good a time as any to retreat to the garage and start building a truck, or three, or four, to help cope with the issues around him. “I started building trucks about five years ago during the Pandemic. In 2024 I sold my latest build and then decided the next one would be on a different level than the ones that came before; something that would stand out in a crowd and was fully customized. I began my search with that thought in mind,” Joe states.
Joe bought the truck sight unseen, relying on a good feeling deep down that this Chevy was everything he wanted in a project ride. After its journey from New Mexico to New Jersey, the new owner was excited to get a good eyeball on his new purchase. “I was finally able to see it in person and get an idea of what it would take to make it my own build. I was definitely happy with what I bought.” Joe’s wish list began to take shape and the needed parts were ordered. Soon boxes started to appear at the garage, and as quick as that, the owner was now ready to turn this needy Chevy into the truck of his dreams.
After stripping and powdercoating the frame, the owner got to work. This JBC setup gave him everything he needed to build the air-ride system he desired. Starting out back, he installed the 2 Link suspension, which includes, among other things, the crossmember, two links, axle perches, lower bag bar, upper shock bar, and Panhard bar. A 1992 Firebird rear that had been widened and stuffed with an Eaton posi unit and 3.42 gears, handles the duties getting the power to the pavement through a set of Allstar axles. Up front, the JBC IFS was ready to give this truck top-tier handling. This set also comes with the crossmember, along with two hats, upper and lower control arms, tie rods, ball joints, inside boxing plates, and power steering rack. To achieve the ride Joe wanted, Fox supplied their performance smooth body shocks for both the front and rear. Once the parts were installed, Joe went all-out, installing an Airlift 3P system running dual ViAir 480c compressors along with a 200-gallon aluminum air tank with AVS dual water traps. Firestone airbags, double convoluted fronts, and 9000 series in the rear, handle the rise and fall of the truck. Braking power is supplied by a four-wheel disc setup using Power Stop brakes up front and an aluminum Camaro caliper conversion out back.
Other add-ons include a Champion four-row aluminum radiator, GSI dual battery mounts, and Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges. As far as the paint goes, Joe never touched it, leaving good enough alone. The color, a faded denim blue, was the inspiration for the truck’s name, “Ol’ Levi.” He did add to the exterior, however, sourcing a correct front bumper that was already painted a matching patina white. For the finishing touch, Joe went through a few wheel choices to get the look he was after. After some changes, he decided on a quartet of low gloss white Detroit Steel Ambassadors, 20×8 fronts and massive 22×9 rears. They are shod in Hankook Ventus rubber, 235/40-20 and 295/35-22, respectively.
Once the build was finished, Joe was impressed with what he had accomplished. “After a long winter of fun and late-night garage sessions, Ol’ Levi was finally completed. The BluePrint motor was absolutely no disappointment—plenty of power and a blast to drive. The suspension felt great after finding that sweet spot right around 65 psi. The transmission shifted smooth as glass behind that 400 small-block. Overall, the project I took on turned out to be exactly what I had envisioned.”