OWNER: Chris Wilson RIDE:...
OWNER: Chris Wilson
RIDE: '87 S-10 Blazer
LOCATION: Tucson, Arizona
CLUB: Negative Camber
Chris Wilson is no stranger to the custom automotive industry. He rolls with the infamous Negative Camber crew and has built three other vehicles, including a '28 Roadster, an '83 Ranger, and a '95 S-15. It wasn't long after finishing his last project that he began to itch for another. He started eye-balling the square-body two-door Blazer as the next victim of his twisted imagination. He came across the perfect specimen in May 2o02 and snatched it up for $2,200. This time around, he decided to build a complete custom vehicle and showcase his talent by opening his own custom fabrication shop.
Chris began as most guys do: working with a few buddies out of his house. With his talent, though, he quickly outgrew the confines of his garage and decided it was definitely time to open a shop. He named the shop Ruthless Customs and began the process of building a rolling business card to show off the shop's skills. Chris initiated the buildup by mapping out a plan of attack. He knew the Blazer would be a complete build, including a super-built motor and pimped-out interior. Chris also knew that with the paint and bodywork help of Travis Martin, Ruthless Customs would be able to build the entire Blazer in house.
The shop began by tearing into the suspension. The crew installed a set of Belltech 2-inch drop spindles and 'bagged the Blazer all the way around using Firestone airbags. After building the three-link and the rest of the suspension components, the guys powdercoated and chromed everything that could be unbolted. Chris picked up a set of Eagle 18x8-inch rims to lay the truck out on and was ready to move onto the next step. The engine would be the heart and soul of this beast, and he wanted its bark to be as loud as its bite.
Chris began with a 355-cid crate motor. He wanted to show off his engine, so he decided on a tunnel ram intake with dual carbs and air filters sticking high up into the sky. Chris also loves the sound of a geardrive front drive assembly, so that was a must-have. As Chris was building and detailing his engine down to the very last bolt with plenty of chrome and billet accessories, Travis Martin began the Blazer's bodywork. Travis smoothed out the body seams and installed a roll pan to smooth out the rear. Once the body was to his liking, Travis sprayed the truck with R&M's Hugger Orange for a bright, clean look.
With a chromed-out 420hp motor and bright-orange exterior, the interior had to be just as amazing to keep up with the super-clean theme Chris was pursuing. The Ruthless crew ripped the inside down to bare metal and went to work, throwing the old dash in the dumpster and swapping in a full fiberglass version painted Hugger Orange. The guys also mounted Dolphin gauges throughout for all the vital engine and air-system readouts. Chris built a super-tall billet shifter with a skull that sits well above the dash. The crew then wrapped a pair of Saturn bucket seats with leopard print and black vinyl. The rest of the interior, including the headliner, carpet, and door panels, received matching leopard-print material to bring the beast to life. As the guys finished putting it back together, they were extremely happy with all their accomplishments. After the truck was taken to a few shows, we're sure the shop began to overflow with customers hoping to have their rides turn out half as dope as Chris' Ruthless Blazer.
The Lowdown
Wheels/Tires 18x8-inch Eagles enveloped in 225/40R18-series rubber
Suspension/Chassis Suspension modifications by Ruthless Customs in Tucson, Arizona / Belltech 2-inch drop spindles / Firestone airbags all the way around / chromed and powdercoated suspension components and rearend / stainless-steel brake lines / custom three-link rear suspension setup built by Ruthless Customs
Body Modifications/Paint Smoothed body seams / ditched bumper for a roll pan / swapped stock mirrors for a set of hot-rod billet mirrors / custom-made Negative Camber grille insert / Travis Martin performed all bodywork and painted the Blazer R&M Hugger Orange
Interior/Stereo Interior by Ruthless Customs / fiberglass dash painted to match exterior / Dolphin gauges / Saturn bucket seats wrapped with leopard print and black vinyl / leopard-print carpet and headliner / tall custom billet shifter topped with a skull / Billet Specialties steering column / Colorado Custom steering wheel / two 10-inch Audiobahn subwoofers in custom enclosure behind front seats
Engine/Performance Engine mods by Ruthless Customs / 355-cid crate motor and turbo 350 transmission combo / 420 hp / tunnel ram / geardrive / chrome and billet dress-up accessories / shortened driveshaft / B&M shift kit / relocated Optima battery to rear of truck / Hedman headers powdercoated silver / DynoMax 2-1/2-inch exhaust / Mallory distributor and coil / Taylor plug wires
Miscellaneous First Place at Super Chevy / Second Place and Best Engine at Vegas Nationals
Special Thanks Ruthless Customs / Travis Martin / Photo Finish