With a Mr. Scrape shop tour in this issue we couldn't think of having a bigger and better shout-out than slamming two of their freshly completed SUVs on the cover. These are two very different people with two very different rides, with one common goal: to clown and drag on all. Both Jarred and Stephen were bitten by the dragging bug after going to a few shows and watching drag sessions. Fortunately for them, this is their time to shine and for the world's eyes to be on them for their 15 seconds of mini-trucker fame.
OWNER: Stephen Robinson
RIDE: '97 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer four-door
LOCATION: Irmo, South Carolina
Let's just say that the portion of this article to do with Stephen Robinson of Irmo, South Carolina, got off to a slower start than the build of his '97 Chevy Blazer. Sunday morning at about...let's say noon, we hit up Stephen and woke him out of his deep slumber. It must have been a fun night, as getting answers out of him was like pulling teeth. After a little bit of digging we scraped enough information out of him to piece together an explanation of his build.
In Irmo, Stephen didn't have any buddies who were into the truck scene. Stephen slowly molded himself into the mini-trucker he is today all on his own. There is not a specific event or ride that got him into the scene, just an atmosphere and scene that he wished to be a part of. His ride started as most do, slow and steady. Over time the bug just kept gnawing away at Stephen and the Blazer until it was something that would set standards in Irmo.
The first go-around on the Blazer wasn't a pretty one, as he had a thrown-together 'bag job that he knew would have to be reworked. Fortunately for Stephen, his job situation was flying high and more money was rolling in. This would enter Mr. Scrape to put the pieces together. The ultimate goal was to get Stephen in a body-dragging mini that he could enter into the drag session that he so loves to watch in his favorite mini-truck videos. Maybe at a show in the near future you just might see this self-motivator showering you with sparks. Give him the thumbs-up and let him know that you approve.
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels, front: 20-inch Lexani Krystals
Wheels, rear: 22-inch Lexani Krystals
Tires, front: 245/35ZR20 555 Nittos
Tires, rear: 255/30ZR22 555 Nittos
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Rear suspension: Custom-made MSC "H-link"
Control arms: BYC chrome uppers & lowers
Spindles: Belltech drop spindles
Valves: Eight 1/2-inch Gravity Werx house valves
Compressor: Airlift is engine-driven
Air line: S/S hard line
Frame mods: Full frame from firewall back
Frame material: 2x3-inch
Gas tank: 15-gallon fuel cell
Detail work: Custom one-off chrome "H-link" made by MSC
Misc: Complete stock floor body drop from firewall back
Performed by: Mr. Scrape Customs
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina
Body Modifications
Shaved: All handles, firewall, hood squirters, gas door, taillights, and all other miscellaneous amenities
Body-dropped: Stock floor body-dropped 4-3/4 inches
Front end: Grant Kustoms fullsize front bumper sectioned to sit flush with a '98-and-up front end
Taillights: Thinline LEDs in the rear posts
Exterior bolt-ons: Euro corner & headlights billet grille cowl hood
Misc: Tubbed & smoothed firewall, tubbed rear door jams, tubbed rear doors, completely new sheetmetal floor, a big-ass Webasto sunroof (motorized glass roof)
Performed by: MSC
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina
Paint
Brand and colors: Custom-mixed blue
Style: Single-color
Airbrushing: Chrome molding and logo
Performed by: Mr. Scrape Customs
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina
Interior
Seats: Leather & suede gray-on-gray with blue stitching from Katzkin out of a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am
Material: Gray-on-gray leather & suede with blue stitching
Dash: Dyed 2002 Grand Am with Auto Meter gauges
Door panels: Half Blazer/half Grand Am with leather & suede & minimal airbrushing
Center console: Stock Grand Am with a little fiberglassing to hold center channel, air controls & push-button shifter
Flooring: Bentley gray carpet
Headliner: Full suede with a big-ass hole for sunroof
Gauges: Auto Meter color-matched gauges
Misc: Complete interior change with a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am as a donor car
Performed by: Mr. Scrape Customs
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina
Stereo
Head unit: Alpine
Mids & highs: Alpine 5-1/4-inch RS-series and Alpine 6-1/2-inch X-series
Amplifier for mids & highs: Alpine V12 545
Subwoofers: Four Alpine 12-inch Xs
Amplifier for subwoofers: Four Alpine V-12s
Video: In-dash unit navigation, DVD
Custom fabrication: Full custom fiberglass box, center channel enclosure, door enclosures, and amp racks
Misc: Fiberglass enclosure also holds a floating custom-made logo
Performed by: MSC
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina
Engine/Performance
Intake: Custom-made with K&N filter
Header: Ceramic-coated Hedman headers
Ignition: Push-button ignition
Battery: Two blue-top Optimas
Location: Under false floor in rear hatch
Detail work: Chrome and painted pieces throughout the engine compartment; smoothed, painted, and tubbed firewall with color-matched hoses
Misc: Chrome-plated plastic valve covers, highly polished plate with logo on it to hide AC compressor location
Performed by: MSC
City/state: Sumter, South Carolina'