Owner: Jason "Pugz" Walker
Ride: 1997 Nissan Hardbody
Location: Spring, Texas
Club: Damage Inc.
A Long Rap Sheet Isn't Always A Bad Thing, Especially If It's Filled With A List Of Accomplished Builds.
Well, not all of us are lucky right off the back, and it takes years of making mistakes to get it right. Jason Walker, or Pugz as his buddies call him, has quite the resume with over 11 years of building different vehicles to get to the point where he is today. This list includes, an '87 Ranger Ext. Cab that got him started but it eventually blew up, a '95 Nissan Hardbody that was static dropped on 17s which got stolen, a '97 Nissan Hardbody that was 'bagged and then repossessed right after a full paintjob, an '03 Nissan Frontier 'bagged on 20s that he just sold, a '71 Datsun 521 bagged on 17s, a '94 pathfinder on 20s, and then finally this '97 Hardbody you see pictured here.
Pugz was tired of project after project and problem after problem and finally wanted something simple and clean that he could cruise in! So, like the theme of this issue, he went back to the basics and got with a few friends for the essentials. Ekstensive Metal Works was enlisted to lay the truck out on air, while LA Dave got down cutting the floor out for the body drop. Pugz knew he wanted to keep it simple so his buddy Kelly Boyt sprayed the Custom Mixed Ford Lightning Grey, and helped tend to some of the interior work. When all was said and down, Pugz finally had the truck he always wanted! No problems, just a reliable driver.
But don't worry, that crazy minitrucker still lurks in him as he's already itching for the full rebuild and said he will be going a little crazier next time around! While we can't wait to see what he comes up with next, it's also nice to see all the clean driven minitrucks out there getting the recognition they deserve side by side with the crazy detailed and modded out full show trucks. So if you guys take anything away from this feature, and this entire issue, just remember that simple and clean is also just as cool!
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 19x8.5 Axis Hagens
Tires: 225/35/19
Chassis Modifications
Suspension (Front): 'Bagged with modified lower control arms to eliminate strut rods (Rear): Two-linked with panhard bar and 'bags on bars
Valves: SMC 1/2-inch
Compressors: Two Viair 450s
Air accessories: Dakota Digital gauges
Misc.: Five-lug conversion with No Limits Hub Conversion and redrilled rearend
Performed by: Ekstensive Metal Works
Body Modifications
Shaved: doors, hood, cowl, tailgate, rollpan, taillights, mirrors, antenna, bed floor
Body-dropped: 2 1/2 inches to the pinch
Front end: All billet and chrome
Taillights: Caddys
Misc.: Full sheetmetal bed floor with hidden storage compartment
Performed by: Kelly Boyt and Bryan "Bubbie" Boothe
City/state: Denham Springs, LA
Paint
Brand and colors: Custom Mixed Ford Lightning Grey, Matrix paint
Misc.: Flat painted bed floor
Performed by: Kelly Boyt
City/state: Denham Springs, LA
Interior
Seats: Honda Prelude
Dash: Tweed and Painted to match
Door panels: Tweed
Center console: Fiberglass and painted to match
Misc.: Dakota Digital gauges, power window switches, and air ride switches mounted in console
Stereo
Head unit: JVC
Mids and highs: Bazooka
Performed by: Kelly Boyt
Engine/Performance
Displacement: 2.4L
Model/Year:97 Nissan
Intake: Custom made from a Toyota driveshaft
Performed by: Kelly Boyt
City/state:Denham Springs, LA
Special Thanks By Owner
I'd like to thank my wife, Candy, for supporting me and helping with all my builds along the years, she has gotten greasy a few times with me. Also thanks to my Mom and Dad for helping out a lot through the years. Also to all my family, Tony Fernon, Kelly Boyt, La Dave, Ekstensive, Bryan "Bubbie" Boothe, Travis Roddy, Elijah Kieger, Edward "Sideshow" Torres, Scooter, Dougy "Fresh" Burkmire, John Salas, Damage Inc. club members, Steve Simmons, Steve Shrock, Venny "Baby Daddy", and Damien Lostak for getting me into minitruckin' back in the day. And thanks to all the people who have helped me build my trucks throughout the last decade. Thanks to John Jackson for shooting the truck and extra special thanks to everyone at Mini Truckin' magazine for helping to keep the sport alive for all these years.