Brian "Izzy" Crane is an eager minitrucker, who got into this pastime to do more than party and play. For the most part, Izzy was a typical young minitrucker. He was the sort of enthusiast who couldn't wait to get to a show, set up his ride, and help others, so he could begin to soak up anything and everything about building custom rides. What we learned, however, was Izzy was mature far beyond his age.
He was and still is the type of person who will give himself to others until he has nothing left to give. His first rendition of the Isuzu was a clean ride, but not much of a show-winner.
Coming from a tiny town on the East Coast has also kept him from attending many of the huge shows where the top-rated customs were placed on display. For Izzy, the trials and tribulations that go with building a fine show ride began soon after he purchased the truck back in the summer of '02.
Soon after buying the stock standard cab, 2.2L four-cylinder-equipped mini, he began making the truck a little more his. After finding himself running in circles with modifications, Izzy began an intensive buildup process that wasn't motivated by time, but by cleanliness and attention to detail. The primary part of the buildup of his truck went quickly, but as time and life saw things, Izzy hit the brakes more than once while he was trying to get his truck completed.
With his ride now done-to the point where Izzy was satisfied enough to let us shoot it-he started to broaden his horizons for the upcoming show season. This time, he was playing with a clean, newly customized ride. It garnered him the respect he'd longed for and plenty of the trophies he'd seen go to others in the years before the Hombre's completion. Despite an oftentimes confusing and twisty road that brought him to where he is today, Izzy managed to make enough of the right decisions to get him here.
Check out Izzy's most recent accomplishment, it's proof that good things still happen to good people.
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front/Rear): 20x8-inch Boss 305s
Backspace (Front/Rear): 4.5 inches
Tires (Front/Rear): 225/35ZR20 Nitto 555
OWNER: Brian "Izzy" Crane
RIDE: '98 Isuzu Hombre
HOMETOWN: West Berlin, New Jersey
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Suspension (Front/Rear): Drop spindles, stock upper and lower control arms, reverse four-link, 'bag over upper link bars
Airbag/cylinder type and size: (Front): Contitech 2600s (Rear): Contitech 2600
Control arms: Modified upper arms
Spindles/springs: 2-inch AIM drop spindles
Shocks: Nissan Hardbody replacement shocks
Valves: Eight GC 250s
Compressors: Two Viair 450c
Air line: 1/2-inch DOT air line
Air/hydro accessories: Suicide Doors 12-gallon air tank, custom-made skull switch box
Frame mods: Spring pockets were modified, frame was fully boxed in, step-notch, custom spiked bridge, and shock mounts
Gas tank: Devious Customs aluminum fuel cell
Detail work: Frame painted with DuPont Black Pearl with graphics on the bridge and spikes
Performed by: Eric Powers of Kaotic Kustoms
City/state: Southhampton, New Jersey
Body Modifications
Shaved: Door handles, antenna, window squiters, third brake light, upper and lower cab seams, taillights, tailgate, and gas door
Frenched: Toyota Supra taillights
Body-dropped: 3-inches to lay rocker
Front end: FBI billet grille
Taillights: Toyota Supra
Exterior bolt-ons: Street Scene Sport mirrors
Performed by: Mark Edmeads and John Good
City/state: Sewell, New Jersey
Paint
Brand and colors: Dupont Olympic White basecoat, House of Kolor Orion Silver, Oriental Blue Kandy, black, and white
Style: Blue skulls coming through the white base
Airbrushing: Blue skulls
Performed by: Fred Sicoli of Killer Kreations and Metal Tattoo
City/state: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Interior
Seats: '93 Honda Civic bucket seats with headrests cut off
Material: Katzkin Brite White and Charcoal Leather
Dash: Shaved and wrapped in white pleather
Door panels: Custom-made with amplifier mounted in the door and wrapped in white suede
Flooring: LMC premolded gray carpet
Headliner: Suede charcoal gray
Gauges: APC white-faced gauges
Performed by: Mike Lippincott of Custom Interiors
City/state: Southhampton, New Jersey
Stereo
Head unit: Pioneer AVH-P5700DVD
Mids and highs: Sony Xplod
Subwoofers: Two Rockford Fosgate 10-inch subwoofers
Amplifier for subwoofers: Rockford Fosgate P3001 amplifier
Video: Screen on the head unit
Custom fabrication: Two custom sub enclosures behind the seats
Performed by: Owner Brian "Izzy" Crane
Engine/Performance
Displacement: 2.2L
Model/Year: '98
Number of cylinders: Four
Intake: Bored-out throttle body
Header/exhaust: Flowmaster
Misc.: Electric fan, modified motor mounts
Performed by: Eric Powers and Burt Horton
City/state: Southhampton, New Jersey
Special Thanks By Owner:
To my friends and family, Iszik at Untouchable Kustoms, and anyone who helped in anyway to build the Hombre. Larry Sanflipo, NC, Adam Rhodes, and Brandy Wilson. In addition, a special F*#k you to anyone who said I was wasting time and money.