This special issue pays tribute to all the clean show trucks out there that are built to be driven!
Now, don't get us wrong, many super insane and high dollar masterpieces have a place on trailers, but with the votes in, we all know that it's much more fun to drive and drag the trucks that we spend every waking moment on. John Pellegrin, aka Shawty, is the type of minitrucker that really makes us love what we do. He has spent the better part of almost three years building and perfecting his '94 Isuzu Pup, in his own garage, with his own two hands. John first fell in love with minitrucks right around the age of 15, and it was just the hobby that he needed at that time to help him grieve the loss of his father. John was able to pick his head up and put his hands to work, to build something that he knew his dad would have been proud of!
OWNER: John "Shawty" Pellegrin...
OWNER: John "Shawty" Pellegrin
RIDE: '94 Isuzu pup
HOMETOWN: Houma, LA
CLUB: Relaxed Atmosphere
Taking after his own father's footsteps, John is a great dad to his little boy Devin, and keeps teaching him new things everyday! The family and friends that have been built during the years of John's buildup mean the world to him, and his pride shows in every single detail of the truck. John tore into the truck with only the knowledge he'd gained from these pages and a few online forums, and almost three years later, this beautiful Blue Isuzu is what he created. A few close friends have stood by his side throughout the buildup and helped him get his truck completed. After completion John's very first show attended, he took home the coveted Best of Show trophy, along with MT Editor's choice, and his very first photo shoot, which you see here. Although the pictures taken can show off the cool mods like the Ford Ranger front end, and the bright blue paint, what they can't show you is what a great guy John is and how deserving he is of this feature, his Relaxed Atmosphere logo, and our admiration! We know we'll see more from John "Shawty" Pellegrin in the future, as he's just getting started. For all the modifications and details make sure to check out The Lowdown.
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 19x7.5 front and 19x8.5 rear Bazo B52
Tires: Falken 215/35R19 front and 225/35R19 rear
Chassis Modifications
Suspension: Toyota 5-lug conversion, custom 'bag setup in front, custom four-link setup in the rear
Airbag:(Front): Slam Specialties RE6 (Rear): Slam Specialties RE7
Control arms: Custom-built lower control arms
Spindles: Two-inch drop spindles
Shocks: Monroe shocks
Valves: SMC 3/8-inch
Compressors: Two Viair 480s
Air line: 3/8-inch hydraulic hose
Frame mods: C-notch, and custom-built crossmembers
Frame material: 2x3-inch box tubing
Gas tank: custom-built aluminum fuel cell
Performed by: Owner
Body Modifications
Shaved: cab seams, bed seams, window squirters, 3rd brake light, gas door, door handles, antenna
Body-dropped: 3 3/4 inches, cut into rockers
Misc.: '07 Nissan 350z mirrors, polished stainless steel inner fenders with rivets
Front end: '04 Ford Ranger front end conversion with Isuzu amigo fenders
Back end: Sheet metal inside bed, trailer tubs, spray in bedliner painted to match truck, polished aluminum strips with rivets, FBI full skin combo
Taillights: Australia Holden Rodeo taillight conversion
Exterior bolt-ons: Billet grille
Misc.: HID headlight conversion
Performed by: Owner
Paint
Brand and colors: DuPont Surf Blue metallic
Style: Single color
Performed by: Brooks Denison
Interior
Seats: Acura Integra seats
Material: Charcoal grey vinyl
Dash: Custom-built sheetmetal dash painted charcoal grey metallic
Door panels: Custom-built door panels to match up to dash
Center console: Custom-built fiberglass console painted charcoal grey metallic
Flooring: Charcoal grey carpet
Misc.: Billet steering wheel, billet mirror, shift knob, and window cranks
Performed by: Owner
Stereo
Head unit: JVC
Mids and highs: JVC mounted under dash
Performed by: Owner
Special Thanks By Owner
Thanks to those who helped along the way. Special thanks to my son Devin, my friends Cody Clement, Brooks Dension, Kelly Savoie, and all my friends of Relaxed Atmosphere.