From the first time Jayden laid eyes on custom auto mags, his interest was immediately locked in. "When I was about 12 or 13, I was killing time at the mall one day while my mom was doing some shopping. I wandered into a bookstore and saw Mini Truckin' and Lowrider on the shelves, after browsing through them, I knew I had to take them home with me," he remembers. It would be more than 17 years after that moment until Jayden would be sitting behind the wheel of his very own low ride.
Jayden came up on the Blazer in 2010, and it had already been heavily customized for about six years. He figured he would put his own spin on it and work out a few of its kinks. Palmetto Rod Worx took the first stab at the Blazer by first going through the engine then completely ripping out the old hydro system to make room for a front-to-back air-ride setup. Next, it was off to Moonshine Customs for a full-scale bodywork and paint session. Now, this might sound like a lot of extra work to put in on a previously built truck, and Jayden addressed why such extensive measures were taken. “I would be a lot smarter and patient if I was in the market for a customized vehicle again. Just because it’s shiny on the outside, doesn’t mean it’s all good inside and underneath.”
The extra time and money Jayden put into his Blazer were definitely unexpected, but he didn’t just pay to have his truck worked on. He learned many valuable life lessons—lessons that will eventually reimburse the cash that was shelled out. “I learned why everybody doesn’t build custom rides. It takes a lot of time, patience, money, and good, reliable people. These four things are hard to come by.” But the best part about the experience of building his truck, Jayden says, “was making new friends along the way. Without them, this whole project would have never been finished.”
Owner: Jayden Hindall
Ride: 1986 Chevrolet Blazer
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Club: No Regrets
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 20x8.5 KMC Nova (front) 22x9 KMC Nova (rear)
Tires: 225/35/20 Nexen N3000 (front) 245/30/22 Nexen N3000 (rear)
Chassis Modifications
Suspension (front): Slam Specialties RE7 ’bags
Suspension (rear): Airlift 2600 ’bags
Compressor(s): Air-Zenith OB2
Air/hydro Accessories: 1/2-inch valves
Misc.: Rear two-link
Performed By: Palmetto Rod Worx and Frame Works
Body Modifications
Shaved: Bodyline, door handles, taillights, and tailgate
Bodydrop: Stock-floor
Body Mods: Custom fullsize front bumper
Suicide Doors: Yes
Misc.: New tailgate with two 7-inch LED brakelights and custom license plate box
Performed By: Palmetto Rod Worx, Moonshine Customs, friends in the minitruckin’ scene
Paint
Brand & Colors: PPG Pastel Blue & PPG White with Pearl laid over both
Misc.: Custom pinstriping by Innecken Signworks and Charlie Trye
Performed By: Dennis "Yankee" Sayers at Moonshine Customs
Interior
Seats: Black leather Volvo 740 buckets
Dash: Custom sheetmetal dash
Misc.: Custom sheetmetal console, black leather rumble seat, billet steering wheel, custom fiberglass door panels
Performed By: Palmetto Rod Worx, friends
Stereo
Head Unit: iPod
Mids & Highs: Kicker RS 65.2
Amplifiers: Kicker IX 500.4
Performed By: Owner, Mike Jones, Palmetto Rod Worx
Engine/Performance
Engine: '89 4.3L V-6
Transmission: 700R4 auto
Rearend Type: Narrowed S-10 rearend
Performed By: Palmetto Rod Worx, friends
Special Thanks From Owner
"First and foremost, Chris Dunn at Palmetto Rod Worx—if it wasn’t for you, this project would have never been completed. Thanks to Dennis "Yankee" Sayers and Chris "Foose" Few at Moonshine Customs for the killer bodywork and paintjob. Thanks to PPG, Air-Zenith, Kicker, Eddy Cebreco, Jon Fulmer, Mike and Marti Jones, Chris Gibson, Chris Murr, Shawn Kilgore, Cagney Hart, Travis Montgomery, David Cross, Wesley Banks, Micah Innecken, and everyone else who pitched in that I’m forgetting."