Math sucks. We’re just keeping it real with that factoid, however, finding out the proper equation for a cool daily driver is way easier than you may think. Almost an oxymoron for many custom trucks, functionality shouldn’t suffer because you’ve modified your ride. There is absolutely no reason a good-looking truck cannot be used for what it was intended. Although many people prefer the ride height of their truck to be the same as their driving surface, rolling in a body-dropped truck just isn’t for everyone. Some people want a truck that handles well and looks good, but is still functional without having to worry about bending fenders or busted air lines. The answer for them is a basic cruiser that has minimal mods, but a great deal of impact. Making wise decisions before handing over your credit card is the best way to be happy every time you jump behind the wheel.
| chevy Silverado Belltech Stage 3 Lowering Kit side View Before
Take for example the owner of this truck. No stranger to custom vehicles, her husband owns a future Truckin’ feature vehicle that’s laid out with the roof cut off, but when it came time for her to add some personal touches to her truck, she decided instead to keep it simple. She didn’t want a complicated stereo or adjustable suspension, rather she wanted a cool truck that got her from A to B and is 100 percent reliable.
To do that, she hooked up with Innovated Creations and Designs, where she got the full treatment by way of a Belltech Stage III 4/6 lowering kit, MagnaFlow exhaust, and a T-Rex X-Metal grille. The husband and wife combo had a set of 22-inch DUB wheels and tires from a previous build, so to keep the cost down, they were bolted on. The resulting truck is clean, simple, and easy to drive—just like she wanted. Follow along as we take this truck from stock to show-ready in just about a day’s worth of time.
Highs:
- One-day makeover
- Rides and looks great
- Used wheels and tires kept cost down
Lows
- Installing the new A-arm bushings were tough
- The wheels and tires were used
- Slight rubbing in the front when at full lock
| 13. For those of you who have bigger wheels on your truck but you haven’t modified the suspension yet, this is probably what your truck looks like. We put the new 22-inch DUB wheels on the truck before just to see how bad it would look. We didn’t want the look of a 4x4, and hopefully you don’t either. After reading how we transfomed this Chevy, you have the resources to make it right.
From The Driver Seat
The truck handles well and looks great, but the installation was a bit trickier than usual. Although the spindles, struts and coils went in just fine, the alignment kit was a bear to install, and took more time than expected. If you’re a do-it-yourself person, consider taking the alignment kit to a shop to make things easier. Some tasteful pinstriping was laid down the side as well, just for a little extra style.
The setup is amazing on the road. The exhaust is throaty but not racer-boy loud, with that nice V-8 sound. The adjustable struts up front make adding more drop to the front a fairly straightforward process, and out back the flip kit went on pretty quickly. We think a 24-inch wheel would work out nicely on the truck, but the 22s are a bit more streetable—perfect for the owner’s needs. The resulting truck is a useable daily driver, with no worries at all.
Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:
15 hours
Degree of Difficulty
Advanced
Tools Needed: Assorted metric and standard sockets, assorted metric and standard wrenches, ratchet, pry bar, spring compressor, hydraulic press, impact wrench, air chisel, hydraulic jack, jackstands, red Loctite, plasma cutter, locking pliers, WD-40, flathead screwdrivers
Parts Used:
(Prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping or labor)
Belltech 4/6 Stage III lowering kit
$1,190
T-Rex X-Metal chrome mesh grille
$1,390
Used 22-inch Dub Big Homie 6 chrome wheels with Nexen 305/40R22
Scavenged from previous build
Magnaflow Exhaust
$684
Total:
$3,264.00
