"I nicknamed my truck Ironsled since I’m an ironworker," Richard Lopez tells MT. His '92 Hardbody has been in the works for about eight years now. The first phase of the project took nearly five of those years, but after learning more about how to improve upon the past modifications, a few things were taken back to square one.
One such area that was overdue for an overhaul was the air system. "Back in '03, I took a trip out to Georgia in my truck. It was freshly 'bagged, but everything else was stock. It was ugly as hell, but it was my only truck at the time. I had a compressor blow up on me out there and I had to rig up another one with no tools and some cheap airline I picked up at a home improvement store. Well, that line didn't last long, it blew up, sending my truck straight down on the highway as I was rushing trying to get home in time for work." Being stuck in a nightmare situation like that forced Richard to rebuild his truck better than before, and he hasn’t had a glitch since.
But there's no way of getting around the fact that this truck was Richard's sole source of transportation for a long time. While it was being built up, it was being driven hard and was taking abuse from the day-to-day grind. "Money was a big factor in when I could make certain improvements on my truck. I just wish I would’ve done more research on who I picked to work on my truck. I could've saved myself lots of headaches and cash."
But waiting around to scrape enough change together to make modifications happen only to put them in harm’s way on the road was the only option Richard had if he was going to make progress on driving the truck he really wanted.
Even though Richard has shown his Hardbody at some of the biggest shows on the West Coast, including a prestigious spot at the Grand National Roadster Show, he still has some things he’d like to change up. "I definitely wish I would've bodydropped it and swapped over to a five-lug, but then again, I am still not done yet," he admits.
Completely finished or not, this Nissan is badass as it sits.
Owner: Richard Lopez
Ride: 1992 Nissan Hardbody
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA
Club: Relaxed Atmosphere
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 20x8.5 Gino Wheels 542
Tires: 225/20/20 Continental Ultra Sport (front) / 225/35/20 Continental Ultra Sport (rear)
Chassis Modifications
Suspension (front): Firestone 2,400 'bags
Suspension (rear): Firestone 2,600 'bags, reverse four-link
Control Arms: Stock
Shocks: Monroe
Compressor(s): Three Viair 380s
Air/hydro Accessories: Two tanks, 1/2-inch Parker valves, 10-switch box
Frame Mods: C-notch
Performed By: Christian Ferreira and Javi at "The Shop"
Body Modifications
Shaved: Antenna, wiper cowl, drip rails, taillights, gas door, handles, hood squirters, mirrors
Body Mods: 4WD fenders, chrome bumper, molded tailgate, sheetmetal bed, gas door relocated to inside of bed
Misc.: Cadillac tails, motorcycle mirrors
Performed By: Josh Franklin and Ed at EK Autoworx
Paint
Brand & Colors: House of Kolor Lime Time over white base with a little gold mixed in
Misc.: Gold flake on the roof for flavoring
Performed By: Malex
Interior
Seats: '96 Hardbody with vinyl tuck and roll
Dash: Painted and pinstriped
Misc.: Door panels wrapped in vinyl, chrome window cranks, green carpet, B.A.D. Gunslinger steering wheel
Performed By: Chuy’s Upholstery
Stereo
Head Unit: Alpine
Mids & Highs: Memphis Audio components
Subwoofers: Two 8-inch Audiobahn
Amplifiers: MTX 2200
Performed By: Luis at G-Customs (fiberglass), Carlos at C&D Customs (audio)
Special Thanks From Owner
"Thanks to my mom, family, friends, and co-workers, Vero, my uncle Hector, my grandfather Benjamin, Christian, Javi, Josh, and Ed at EK Autoworx, Chuy and Lencho, Luis, Carlos, Malex, my RA family, Juan, Maria, Ruben, Ray, Fonzo, Juanito, Big Bill, Donald, Joe, Hiro, and all the chapters from all over."