Rock ain't dead. It lives on in the metal of Dan Gilliland's Toyota. No, seriously. Just check out the details in the paint. Memorials for the likes of Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Strummer of The Clash have made their permanent presence underneath the clearcoat. Tupac and Biggie have even been immortalized. And there's a really cool mural of the Prince of Darkness himself that takes centerstage in the bed. Yeah, we know Ozzy isn't dead yet, unless you're talking about useful brainwave activity. In that case, he is currently very much deceased.
And for the true metal music aficionado, there is plenty more to see. Dedications to Dio, Metallica, Judas Priest, Motley Crüe, Guns 'N' Roses, Van Halen, and Rage Against the Machine have been scattered everywhere in the paint. Some of the names on this extensive rock and rap roll call may seem to mix like oil and water, but they are accurate indicators of Dan's inspiration behind the truck.
Aside from the face-melting sounds of heavy metal guitars and chest numbing hits from the kick drum, Dan was heavily motivated to finish his truck because of his son. "From the time he was 6 years old, Trae would notice the new modifications taking shape on the truck and always ask, ‘What's next, Dad?'" Dan tells us. But Trae's imagination moved faster than what Dan's budget for the truck allowed for. Slowly but steady, Dan's Toyota morphed from a humble static-dropped driver to the shredding god of rock it is today.
No one man can truly rip it up onstage however, so Dan assembled a band of misfits to help bring the noise. "I called up Brian Jendro and asked him to bodydrop my truck and take care of some bodywork. He also ended up suiciding the doors. I had Marley Anderson weld up the bumper and valance together along with shaving the taillights and tailgate." Dan started taking his work-in-progress to shows with the Xtreme Lowz crew, which is where he met audio technician, Joel Sadenwasser—owner and operator of Extreme Audio and Kustoms. "After seeing Joel's Tundra, I knew right away that I just had to have a crazy paintjob and interior. He introduced me to a painter who would be perfect for what I had in mind. The work that Alan Farias had done on Joel's truck was amazing, and the initial paint he laid down on my truck was dope from the very start."
The guys wrapped up the build a day before heading out to West Coast Nats '11 where it claimed Mini Truckin's top pick award. "The final result met Trae's standards. He has a permanent smile every time he rides in it. I told him if he stays out of trouble and gets As and Bs in school, I'll hand him the keys when he graduates high school."
OK, Trae, your dad's deal is officially in writing. Don't blow this one, lil' dude! The last thing you need is Ozzy and the Lizard King haunting your dreams with the sounds of their laughing at your failure. And believe us, they WILL laugh.
Owner: Dan Gilliland
Ride: 1987 Toyota Xtra-Cab longbed
Hometown: Murrieta, CA
Club: Xtreme Lowz
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels: 18-inch HRE 598R
Tires: 215/35/18 Hankook Ventus
Chassis Modifications
Suspension (front): Firestone 'bags
Suspension (rear): Cantilever
Control Arms: Custom
Compressor(s): Two Viair 480C
Brakes: Stock
Performed By: Brian Jendro
Body Modifications
Shaved: Bumper and valance, taillights, tailgate, turn signals, handles, locks, hood squirters, cowl, gas door, antenna
Bodydrop: 2-3/4-inch traditional
Body Mods: Sheetmetal bed
Suicide Doors: Factory hinge
Performed By: Brian Jendro, Marley Marvelous
Paint
Brand & Colors: SEM Coral Hyperbase, House of Kolor Tangerine Kandy on top, Transtar clearcoat
Misc.: PPG Silver used for graphics
Performed By: Alan Farias, Noel "Choforo" Flores, A.K. Airbrushing
Interior
Seats: Toyota Celica buckets
Dash: Smoothed and painted
Misc.: Air vents and speaker grilles sanded, B.A.D. billet steering wheel, custom center console, custom door panels
Performed By: Adam Radovich, Alan Farias
Stereo
Head Unit: Alpine
Mids & Highs: Rockford Fosgate
Subwoofers: Rockford Fosgate
Amplifiers: Rockford Fosgate
Performed By: Adam Radovich, Joel Sadenwasser at Xtreme Audio
Engine/Performance
Engine: 22R
Detail Work: Painted air cleaner cover and intake
Misc.: A few shiny parts
Performed By: Owner, Alan Farias
Special Thanks From Owner
"Thanks to Alan Farias and Noel Flores, A.K. Airbrushing, Joel Sadenwasser and Xtreme Audio, Adam Radovich, Temecula Valley Paint, Brian Jendro, Marley Marvelous, Germain Smeyres, Robert Ramirez, my mom Marilyn Mukomela, and my son Trae Fisher for being patient."