OWNER: Joe Hughes RIDE: '97...
OWNER: Joe Hughes
RIDE: '97 Nissan Hardbody
HOMETOWN: Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Joe Hughes of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, is one hard-core minitrucker. A member of Dropmob, Chris represents his club to the fullest and hits up shows all over the East Coast. With his '95 Nissan Hardbody, he has picked up a handful of First Place trophies. But his truck was not always trophy worthy; it took some serious work to get his Nissan to the state it's in now.
To dump the truck down to a desirable height, Joe called up his long-time friend, Paul Rodgers, and started throwing around a few ideas. Once they figured out how low Joe planned to go, they jumped in and started on the suspension. He 'bagged the truck all the way around using Contitech airbags. To drop the front down and maintain proper geometry, they installed Belltech drop spindles. Out back, he cut the frame off behind the cab and fabricated a custom back-half with a triangulated stainless steel four-link setup, which ensured a smooth ride while laying the back flat on the pavement. Not only does the back-half support the rear suspension, it also doubles as the air tank and holds 12 gallons of air. After the frame was properly grounded, Joe then gave the go-head to lay the body down, as well. Paul began to slice and dice again and body-dropped Chris' truck 5-1/2 inches, laying the rocker flat on the floor.
Rolling low and dragging body was not good enough for Joe, so he and Paul gave the exterior a smooth makeover. They shaved the door handles, emblems, gas door, third brake light, and taillights, and molded in a tailgate skin. Chris opted for '89 Cadillac brake lights, then slapped on a tonneau cover to clean up the bed. After a billet grille was installed to help the front fascia, Joe decided it was time for paint. Joe wanted to complement the straight body, so he chose to paint the truck in PPG Cobalt Blue, which was laid down by Anthony Henderson.
Joe and Paul handled most of the build upon this Hardbody, so why not the stereo chores. The duo wired up a Pioneer deck, Audiobahn amps, and speakers to help with the boom-boom. Then, Staple and Stitch wrapped up the deal-literally. They used a combination of white and blue vinyl to wrap the sub box, the bench seat, and the rest of the interior.
After all was said and done, Joe had one body-dragging, trophy-collecting, hammered Hardbody to drive.
The Low Down
Rolling Attire
Wheels (Front/Rear): Dropmob 5 Star Pointer '20s
Tires (Front/Rear): 225/30R20 Kakang Hankang
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Suspension (Front/Rear): Torsion bar replacement , 'bags over link bars
Airbag type and size: (Front): Contitech 2500 (Rear): Contitech 2600
Spindles: Belltech 2-inch drop spindles, modified to accept Toyota front hubs
Shocks: Intrax
Valves: Eight 1/2-inch SMC valves
Compressors: Three Viair 380c
Air line: 1/2-inch DOT
Air accessories: 10-switch switchbox
Frame mods: Custom back-half
Frame material: 2x4x.25-inch box tubing
Gas tank: 20-gallon Summit Racing plastic fuel cell
Brakes: Toyota front disc and rear drum
Misc.: Back half holds 12 gallons of air
Performed by: Owner Joe Hughes and Paul Rodgers
City/state: Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Body Modifications
Shaved: Door handles, tailgate, tailgate handle, taillights, gas door, antenna, and side mirrors
Frenched: Taillights and license plate
Body-dropped: 5-1/2-inch traditional
Front end: '89-'94 chrome Toyota front bumper and valance, 4x4 Nissan Hardbody fenders, and a Phantom billet grille
Back end: Grant Kustoms combo skin
Taillights: '89 Cadillac
Misc.: Three-fold sliding ragtop
Performed by: Owner Joe Hughes and Paul Rodgers
City/state: Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Paint
Brand and colors: PPG Cobalt Blue
Style: Single color
Pinstriping: One Shot White
Performed by: Anthony Henderson and Lil' Jack
City/state: Jefferson, Kentucky
Interior
Seats: Stock bench
Material: White and blue vinyl
Dash: Shaved, fiberglassed, and painted
Door panels: Custom-made with an Audiobahn amp mounted to each one and wrapped in white vinyl
Flooring: Black loop carpet
Headliner: White vinyl
Gauges: Custom clear gauges
Misc.: Custom gear shifter, Billet Specialties steering wheel
Performed by: Owner Joe Hughes, Paul Rodgers, and Staple and Stitch
City/state: Lexington, Kentucky
Stereo
Head unit: Pioneer flip-out DVD head unit
Mids and highs: Four sets Pioneer components
Subwoofers: Four 10-inch Audiobahn subwoofers
Amplifier for subwoofers: Two Audiobahn 800-watt amps
Wiring/accessories: Subs were hard lined
Performed by: Owner Joe Hughes and Paul Rodgers
City/state: Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Special Thanks By Owner:
To my wife, car club Dropmob, my good friend, Paul Rodgers; Gilbert King III, and my brother who passed away.