After getting the truck home it wasn’t long till his wheels started turning on how he could bring it to the next level by fusing a well-balanced stance with a number of subtle changes, including a vintage-style, injected, small-block Chevy V-8. Having seen a number of traditional hot rods built by Jon Schuchart Customs in York, Pennsylvania, he contacted Schuchart to talk about the build. The pair shared many of the same ideas on what it would take to bring the truck to the next level, incorporating Schuchart’s unique style. Once delivered, the truck was torn down, with the first job focusing on the chassis. With the original frame in great shape, it was blasted clean and C-notched out back. A Ford 9-inch rear packs 3.50 gears spinning Moser Engineering 31-spline axles and is suspended in place by de-arched leaf springs and Pro Shocks tube shocks. To set the profile, a Fatman Fabrications IFS was added, along with a 1-inch antiroll bar and QA1 adjustable coilover shocks. A GM dual power master moves juice through Ni-Cop (nickel copper alloy) lines to 11-inch Ford drums out back and 11-inch vented GM rotors with two-piston calipers in front. For plenty of style, 17-inch cast aluminum Artillery wheels from the Wheelsmith wear Pirelli Scorpion rubber.

After getting the truck home it wasn’t long till his wheels started turning on how he could bring it to the next level by fusing a well-balanced stance with a number of subtle changes, including a vintage-style, injected, small-block Chevy V-8. Having seen a number of traditional hot rods built by Jon Schuchart Customs in York, Pennsylvania, he contacted Schuchart to talk about the build. The pair shared many of the same ideas on what it would take to bring the truck to the next level, incorporating Schuchart’s unique style. Once delivered, the truck was torn down, with the first job focusing on the chassis. With the original frame in great shape, it was blasted clean and C-notched out back. A Ford 9-inch rear packs 3.50 gears spinning Moser Engineering 31-spline axles and is suspended in place by de-arched leaf springs and Pro Shocks tube shocks. To set the profile, a Fatman Fabrications IFS was added, along with a 1-inch antiroll bar and QA1 adjustable coilover shocks. A GM dual power master moves juice through Ni-Cop (nickel copper alloy) lines to 11-inch Ford drums out back and 11-inch vented GM rotors with two-piston calipers in front. For plenty of style, 17-inch cast aluminum Artillery wheels from the Wheelsmith wear Pirelli Scorpion rubber.

When it came to packing the ’rails with power, Howard wanted to pay homage to the Rochester mechanical fuel injection systems of decades past with a modern twist, so he contacted Chevrolet Performance for one of their classic Ram-Jet 350ci V-8s. Straight from the crate it packs all the right goods, starting with a cast-iron crank linked to powdered metal steel rods wearing hypereutectic pistons with bump from a hydraulic roller stick. A set of iron Vortec cylinder heads with 64cc chambers generate seamless power while Chevrolet’s iconic port fuel-injection system relives the past, featuring cutting-edge technology. Schuchart then created a one-off air induction system sucking air through the deleted inner headlight pods while also smoothing the firewall and fabricating custom Chevrolet script valve covers. To move the goods, a TCI Engineering TH350 trans links to a custom driveshaft from Pennsylvania Truck Center in York.

When it came to packing the ’rails with power, Howard wanted to pay homage to the Rochester mechanical fuel injection systems of decades past with a modern twist, so he contacted Chevrolet Performance for one of their classic Ram-Jet 350ci V-8s. Straight from the crate it packs all the right goods, starting with a cast-iron crank linked to powdered metal steel rods wearing hypereutectic pistons with bump from a hydraulic roller stick. A set of iron Vortec cylinder heads with 64cc chambers generate seamless power while Chevrolet’s iconic port fuel-injection system relives the past, featuring cutting-edge technology. Schuchart then created a one-off air induction system sucking air through the deleted inner headlight pods while also smoothing the firewall and fabricating custom Chevrolet script valve covers. To move the goods, a TCI Engineering TH350 trans links to a custom driveshaft from Pennsylvania Truck Center in York.

To bring the cab and bed back to life, the factory sheetmetal was first blasted clean. It was then evaluated for any needed repairs, which included inner and outer rockers, lower doorskins, cab corners, floorbraces, bed wheelwell openings, and bed floor while also adding a new tailgate, all from Mill Supply. Schuchart then got busy with a number of subtle changes, which included filling the cowl vent, shaving the grille and bumpers, filling the bed stake pockets, and smoothing the tailgate face. He then followed with one-piece side windows, fabricating inner headlight mesh intake covers, and shaving all emblems. To bring the truck to life, Howard wanted a subtle, yet alluring vibe that he had seen on a vintage Cessna airplane, so Schuchart custom-blended a PPG Cessna Green and laid down the luster, accented by a white cab top, grille, and bumpers.

To bring the cab and bed back to life, the factory sheetmetal was first blasted clean. It was then evaluated for any needed repairs, which included inner and outer rockers, lower doorskins, cab corners, floorbraces, bed wheelwell openings, and bed floor while also adding a new tailgate, all from Mill Supply. Schuchart then got busy with a number of subtle changes, which included filling the cowl vent, shaving the grille and bumpers, filling the bed stake pockets, and smoothing the tailgate face. He then followed with one-piece side windows, fabricating inner headlight mesh intake covers, and shaving all emblems. To bring the truck to life, Howard wanted a subtle, yet alluring vibe that he had seen on a vintage Cessna airplane, so Schuchart custom-blended a PPG Cessna Green and laid down the luster, accented by a white cab top, grille, and bumpers.

Inside, Schuchart dumped the stock dashpad and created a fresh gauge panel using a matching glovebox door, filling it with dials from Classic Instruments. A ’70s-era GM steering wheel links to a Flaming River tilt column with column shift, while a Kwik Wire harness installed by JS Customs brings it all together; Vintage Air adds a cool breeze. For plenty of comfort, Dave Farmer of York re-covered the factory bench in brown houndstooth while also adding complementing door panels, headliner, and brown loop carpet. This is one GMC that raises the bar by fusing classic elements with modern technology to make it a perfect daily driver, and we dig it!

Inside, Schuchart dumped the stock dashpad and created a fresh gauge panel using a matching glovebox door, filling it with dials from Classic Instruments. A ’70s-era GM steering wheel links to a Flaming River tilt column with column shift, while a Kwik Wire harness installed by JS Customs brings it all together; Vintage Air adds a cool breeze. For plenty of comfort, Dave Farmer of York re-covered the factory bench in brown houndstooth while also adding complementing door panels, headliner, and brown loop carpet. This is one GMC that raises the bar by fusing classic elements with modern technology to make it a perfect daily driver, and we dig it!