OWNER: Christopher Voorhest
RIDE: '87 Chevy S-10
LOCATION: Syosset, NY
Chris Voorhest is a bodyman who works long hours in a body shop. Back in late 1999, he would arrive at work everyday and notice that one of his co-workers was driving an older S-10 "beater" to work everyday. It was a nice little truck and Chris was interested in it. Chris was looking for a nice little truck for his fiance to drive. At the time, Chris was driving a Blazer around as his mini and enjoyed every bit of it. So, he cut a deal and bought the truck. Now, the plan was set to build a nice ride for his fiance. Unfortunately for Chris, one day while driving his truck, he met one of minitruckers most hated enemies: the manhole. This particular manhole was raised a bit and would take a toll on his Blazer.
Now, a wrench had been thrown into the plan. Chris needed a daily while he fixed his truck, so he ended up driving the S-10 around. What he didn't expect was to fall in love with the truck, which he did. He would have to break it to his girl that he had fallen in love with another ride and planned on building it. Luckily for him, she was very understanding.
Also luckily for Chris, he has a dad and brother who were both ready to get dirty and help in the build. Together, they started the truck. First task were the 'bags and body-drop. From there, they moved on to the body. Chris works long hours at a body shop, so this meant a lot of extra hours after work, and long days. Along the way, Chris decided that he wanted to stand out at shows with his S-10 and this is when they decided to add the front end, which was a handful. "It was tough to bring all the pieces together like a puzzle," said Chris. But, they did it. "No shop ever laid hand on my truck, I did it with my family and I'm very proud of that fact," exclaimed Chris.
I think, if there's one thing we can learn from Chris, it's the next time you want another mini, tell your girl it's for her, then after a bit, tell her you changed your mind. See if it works for you. If it does, it was our idea, if it doesn't, then blame it on Chris. Just kidding, but let us know how it goes anyways.
THE LOWDOWN
Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front): 18x7 Boyd Magnetos
Wheels (Rear): 20x8.5 Boyd Magnetos
Backspace (Front): five inch
Backspace (Rear): six inch
Tires (Front): 225/35ZR18 Nitto 555
Tires (Rear): 245/35ZR20 Nitto 555
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air Rear suspension, Air Ride Technologies polished stainless four-link
Control arms: Air Ride Technologies tubular
Spindles: Bell Tech drop spindles
Shocks: Edelbrocks and Monroe Sensi-tro
Valves: Air Ride Tech. Big Red's
Compressors: Two Viar 400s
Air line: 3/8
Air/hydro
accessories: One 5-gallon tank, and two 2-gallon custom air tanks, custom crossmembers
Frame mods: Step notch, boxed and smoothed frame
Frame material: Steel
Gas tank: 16-gallon RCI aluminum fuel cell
Brakes: Drilled front rotors and braided lines
Detail work: Fully painted frame and components
Performed by: Voorhest Family
City/state: Syosset, NY
Body Modifications
Shaved: Wiper cowl, door handles, antenna, tailgate, taillights, gas door, body seams, mirrors
Body-dropped: 3-1/2 inches
Front end: Fullsize Chevy front-end conversion, custom-made front bumper
Back end: Grant Kustoms' tailgate and roll pan combo
Taillights: LED's flush mounted
Suicide doors: With smoothed out jambs and www.suicidedoors.com hinges
Exterior bolt-ons: Billet grille cut down
Misc.: Front end was cut down 10-inches, bed is 16-gauge sheetmetal all smoothed and painted, license plate and rear storage compartment were handmade and on linear actuators
Performed by: Voorhest Family
City/state: Syosset, NY
Paint
Brand and colors: All paint is Standox, red is Audi Loser Red, and flames are Audi Silver
Style: Tribal/traditional flames
Pinstriping: Straight and slash stripes
Airbrushing: A lot of shadows and highlights
Performed by: John Voorhest
City/state: Syosset, NY
Interior
Seats: Teas Design
Material: Red vinyl
Dash: Custom fiberglass dash, painted to match
Door panels: Smoothed and painted to match, fiberglass speaker pods
Center console: Handmade out of steel
Flooring: Red wool carpet
Headliner: Red vinyl
Gauges: Auto Meter gauges
Performed by: Voorhest Family
City/state: Syosset, NY
Stereo
Head unit: Sony Xplod
Mids and highs: Sony Xplod, 5-1/4 and 4x10s
Amplifier for mids and highs: Sony Xplod
Subwoofers: Two 8-inch Sony Xplod
Amplifier for subwoofers: Sony Xplod
Wiring/accessories: Rockford Fosgate
Custom fabrication: Fiberglass speaker box and door panel pods
Performed by: Chris Voorhest
City/state: Syosset, NY
Engine/Performance
Displacement: 350
Model/year: New crate
Number of cylinders: Eight
Transmission: TH 350
Intake: Edelbrock
Header/exhaust: Hedman headers, stainless mufflers
Battery: Optima
Location: Rear storage unit
Inner fenders: Trailer fenders smoothed out
Detail work: Handmade air cleaner
Misc.: Smooth firewall and radiator support
Performed by: Voorhest Family
City/state: Syosset, NY
Special Thanks (by owner):
To my Fiance Kim, my dad John, and brother John for helping me with the work.