OWNER: Bobby Stewart
RIDE: '94 GMC Sonoma
LOCATION: Laurens, South Carolina
Building a clean, show-ready mini-truck usually comes with a list of unforeseeable setbacks. Some owners choose not to drive their mini-trucks often - even after putting countless hours and money into their rides - just so they don't have to revisit the days when their truck seemed like it would never be finished. But unlike some othere people's minis, Bobby Stewart's '94 GMC Sonoma was bought and built to drive. The Laurens, South Carolina, resident never really stopped running it all over his home state, and it's daily driven to this day. So far, his truck has taken the trophy for Second place 10 times and for 31rst place once. Did we mention that he drives this thing a lot?
With a good mixture of subtle additions and smooth mods, Bobby's Sonoma is one cool custom cruiser. The task of initially bringing down the truck's ride height was given to Jeremy Hudson of Kustom Trix in Laurens, South Carolina. The frame was boxed from the cab back, and a Hack Shack triangulated four-link was installed along with airbags. In the front, the truck was outfitted with another pair of 'bags and treated to a pair of Belltech drop spindles. To achieve a trick wheel and tire combination, Bobby selected a set of 17-inch Platinum wheels with 40-series road rubber.
Next, Bobby focused on the outer part of his ride. To bring some much needed attention to the exterior, Rip Garrett removed the door handles and other unwanted factory garbage. The holes left behind were filled, and the truck was massaged until it looked as if those factory annoyances had never existed in the first place. When the truck was blocked to everyone's satisfaction, it was then sprayed with House of Kolors Candy Brandywine paint so that it would look perpetually wet.
Another must in the buildup of Bobby's daily driver was the audio/video system he required to keep him entertained. He outfitted his truck with a monitor and other components from MA Audio and installed a Memphis Car Audio amplifier to power everything. Making things even more comfortable inside are a pair of Camaro Z28 seats that were reupholstered along with the truck's door panels by Summerall's Upholstery. If you look closely at this interior, you'll notice it seems as though Bobby has a thing for stuffed animals. Look closer: That monster toy is his switchbox!
Just because you build to show, doesn't mean it has to look like it's a beater. Just take a look at Bobby's fine example and you'll soon see that being clean isn't something just for the weekends - it's a 24/7 commitment!
The Low Down
Chassis/Suspension Firestone airbags front and rear / Nitro drop shocks front and rear / Belltech 2-inch drop spindles / Hack Shack triangulated four-link suspension
Wheels/Tires Platinum 17x7-inch wheels / 205/40/17 tires
Body Mods/Paint Godfather Customs phantom grille shell / Phantom billet grille insert / '98 S-10 bumper and valance / shaved door handles / shaved tailgate handle / shaved taillights / molded roll pan / billet aluminum taillight bezels and taillights in roll pan
Interior '94 Chevy Camaro Z28 bucket seats wrapped in gray tweed / door panels wrapped in gray tweed / Grant steering wheel / custom switchbox
Audio JVC head unit / custom subwoofer enclosure / MA Audio subwoofers / MA Audio monitor / MA Audio mid- and high-range speakers in dash and doors / PlayStation2 console / Memphis Audio 4300 four-channel amplifier
Engine '94 4.3L V-6 / chrome air cleaner / '94 Camaro Z28 700 R4 transmission / Flowmaster custom exhaust / very clean underhood
Special Thanks To mom and dad / Bobby's wife Nikki / Rip Garret / Jeff Smith / Peter Lindley / everybody that helped along the way to building the GMC