Have you ever gotten rid of, or sold something that you regreted? Jim Seat of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee knows the feeling all to well. Back in December of '03 Jim got his first feature in Mini Truckin' Magazine and the truck was named "Juice It". The truck was fully shaved and painted Porsche Rivera Blue. It was equipped with a CCE hydraulic setup and layed frame. Soon after it was shot, he decided that it was time to move on to a new project and sell the Ranger.
A few months after selling the truck, something wasn't right. Jim was having a feeling that there was something out of place; it began to eat at him, and he couldn't seem to figure out what it was. Life went on for a couple years before he figured it out. Jim heard the guy who bought his old Ranger was looking to sell it and he wanted to get it back. Jim called the guy and struck a deal to get the Ranger. When he went to pick it up, he found out the truck that once graced the pages of Mini Truckin' was now a beaten down pile. It was in such bad shape that he couldn't even drive it, Jim had to have it towed home. However, it didn't matter, he got his baby back. This was the truck that he drove to high school, and the very first truck he built.
Once the truck was safe in his garage, he was able to evaluate what it was going to take to get the truck road worthy. Only this time, Jim was going to take his time building the Ranger back to its previous glory. For the last three years Jim went over every inch of the truck, replacing broken or worn out parts, and making the modifications he felt should have been done the first time the truck was built. As soon as the truck was running and driving it was time to get down. Since the truck already layed out and was shaved up, Jim took it to the next level by performing a stock-floor body drop. Next on the list was to rework the inside of the bed. Since the bed floor was already cut out, it wasn't too difficult for Jim to fabricate the new skins. He turned his attention to the interior, where a little fiberglass work was done to smooth the dash out. Once Jim had the truck block sanded to perfection, he loaded his paint gun with a custom mix that he likes to call Slap Yo' Mama Red, and laid it out over the entire truck and dash.
With the end in sight, Jim was working on the on the reassembly of the truck when he received some unsettling news. His Aunt Donna, whom he lived with for the last 24 years, was involved in a traffic collision in which she lost her life. She was one of Jim's biggest supporters when it came to him building the truck. Jim tells us that she would give him a hard time about the truck being in primer for so long since Jim is a painter. Therefore, he is dedicating the build of this truck to the memory of his Aunt Donna, and if she was able to see it done Jim says "She would have loved it".
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front/Rear): 18x8.5-inch / 20x9.5-inch Panther Juice 5
Tires (Front/Rear) Nankang 225/35/18, 245/35/20
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Suspension (Front/Rear): I beams, relocated radius arms / two-link
Airbag type and size: (Front): Firestone 2600(Rear): Firestone 2500
Control arms: DJM Dream Beams
Shocks: Belltech
Valves: SMC 3/8-inch
Compressor: Viar 450c
Air line: DOT 3/8-inch
Air/hydro accessories: 12-gallon air tank
Frame mods: Stock-floor frame from firewall back
Frame material: 2x4-inch box tube
Gas tank: Aluminum fuel cell
Detail work: Tubular front and rear bag brackets, entire frame coated in sprayliner
Misc.: Raised transmission crossmember
Performed by: Owner
City/state: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee