There's just something about the smooth body lines of the newer-generation S-10s that makes them so attractive to customizers. Yet because there are so many S-10s out there, it's much harder to build one that really stands out in the sea of S-Series trucks. This was the obstacle that stood before Don Blomquist. His reason for choosing an S-10 is simply because he loves S-minis. Thus the journey began to build an S-10 that might not be mistaken at the local shows as just another S-truck.
The truck was kept simple and clean, but the results speak for themselves. The appealing stance was achieved by using a full air-ride suspension using a pair of 2-inch Belltech drop spindles paired with 2,600-pound Firestone 'bags up front and a Pete & Jake's four-link coupled with 2,800-pound Firestone 'bags out back. After a step notch was installed, the S-10 was firmly planted on the ground, but Don wanted to clear that gap between the ground and the body, so you know exactly what happened next.
The truck received the standard 3-inch cab surgery, but the bed was dealt with differently. Don wanted to keep his floor as stock as possible, so instead of tubbing it and redoing the sheetmetal, the entire bed was cut out and raised a total of 6 inches, and then a 3-inch body lift was used to match up all the body lines. The bed was then welded back into place and looks as if it was never even touched. Now the body rests flat on the ground and nicely tucks the 17x7- and 18x8-inch B. Coddington wheels. Don and his crew (Danny, Mike Farmer, and Sammy Livingston) were not nearly finished with the body and decided to ditch the third brake light, door handles, antenna, and factory taillights. They installed Caddy lights in the rear, an I-Drag Kustoms roll pan, and both front and back license plate boxes.
After hours of blocking and wet-sanding, the shiny, wet-looking stuff commonly referred to as paint was ready to be used to transform the primered beast into the bright-orange beauty sitting before us today. Chad Montgomery in Grapevine, Texas, mixed up the DuPont Hugger Orange and proceeded to spray the entire truck, including the inside of the bed, until the truck glistened in the sun to Don's satisfaction. Leather Trim Limited in Fort Worth, Texas, took care of the interior chores. The crew stretched a combination of leather and Malibu Sand tweed over the dash, seats, door panels, and anything else it could put its tweed-happy hands on. After a few key dash pieces were painted orange to match the body, a Budnik billet steering wheel was bolted up, and the truck was almost ready to drive. But anyone knows you can't drive around without tunes, so Don slapped in a JVC head unit.
Taking almost two-and-a-half years out of one's life for a truck goes to show you how dedicated we all are to this sport. So the next time you see an S-Series drag by, be sure not to be clowned too hard, and go out there and flex a little yourself. Don wanted to make sure to thank his parents for letting him keep his ride in their garage, and his best advice to everyone out there is to just take your time.
Owner: Don Blomquist
Ride: '97 Chevy S-10
Location: North Richland, Texas
Club: Negative Camber
The Low Down
Wheels/Tires Front 17x7-inch B. Coddington wheels / 215/40R17 rubberRear 18x8-inch B. Coddington wheels / 245/40R18 tires.
Suspension Work by Sammy Livingston / lays frame / Front 2-inch Belltech drop spindles / 2,600-pound Firestone 'bags Rear: Pete & Jake's four-link rear / frame-notched / Firestone 2,800-pound 'bags
Body Mods Body-dropped to rockers 3 inches / 3-inch body lift on bed / shaved door handles / shaved antenna / shaved bumper and third brake light / skinned tailgate / frenched tag / I-Drag Kustoms roll pan / Cadillac taillights / front and rear license plate boxes.
Paint Sprayed by Chad Montgomery / DuPont Hugger Orange
Interior/Stereo By Leather Trim Limited in Fort Worth, Texas / Malibu Sand Tweed overall / Budnik Billet steering wheel / painted dash bezel and center tray / JVC head unit
Engine/Performance Chrome intake tube / various painted and polished items
Special Thanks To Mike Farmer, Sammy Livingston, Danny, Lesley, Chad, and Don's Mom and Dad win the mini-truckin' award for parents of the year for allowing Don to keep the truck and work on it in their garage.