1996 Chevy C1500 Project, Part III

In the last instasllment of the Project Daily Driver buildup, our 1996 Chevy three-door go from a mild-mannered driver to a truckin’ terror. With very few engine modifications, we’ve managed to make our truck dragstrip-worthy.

But even with the engine modifications complete, we were still a long way from achieving the ultimate sport truck. Setting our truck apart from the the impressive pack of show trucks we encounter at events across the country involves coming up with fresh ideas and methods to accelerate the truck into new areas of modifications. And, after all, no self-respecting sport truck owner could be satisfied with just a few minor body modifications. These ideas are totally trick and are sure to establish Project Daily Driver as a serious show truck while keeping it an ultracool, daily-driven vehicle.

DeLillo Truck Center was kind enough to lend us the use of its facilities to make our truck go from mild to wild. In addition to selling some of the hottest trucks and parts in the sport truck industry, the company also offers installation—so it was more than willing to help us out with our Project Daily Driver.

One option that DeLillo offers is a new, radically designed billet phantom grille. This grille installs just like a regular billet piece but adds the phantom look we desired. The remainder of the modifications are designed to make our Daily Driver just that—daily-driver friendly—and at the same time produce the true sport truck look. These mods include a hidden hitch assembly, a spare tire relocator, and a tailgate handle flip kit.

Next time we’ll show the completion of the body modifications and fill you in on some tricks of the sport truck trade that make a customization truly unique, offering truck owners individuality and simplicity.