This is the second segment of Project Kustom. To recap where we left off: Kustoms Inc. tackled a new project for the SEMA 2007 Line-X booth with a buildup time of only 45 days. With big help from Chassis Tech, airbagit.com, LMC Truck, Line-X of Huntington Beach, and IMZZ Industries, this S-10 received a full Kustom Inc. old-school treatment. Of course, the major challenge was the time line, and as ou'll see, it came down to the very wire!
The crew worked night and day on a 45-day transformation from daily driver to the SEMA floor. To help with the time constraints for Part II, we opted for the superquick installation of the airbagit.com plug and play system, it comes complete with the compressor, valves, and switches already pre-wired. All that's needed is to connect the airline to the four airbags, then hook up an air tank, and you're ready to hit the road! For more information, contact the companies listed in the source box.
1. Here's where we left off...
1. Here's where we left off in Part I. The truck was torn down and the back half was notched. We have tons of more work to go!
(2 and 3). The next challenge...
(2 and 3). The next challenge to tackle was the old-skool GMC front-end graft. The bumper, fenders, hood, and entire front end were modified to match. This would be an entire tech story all in itself, but due to time constraints we have to skip the step-by-step.
3.
4. With everything in place,...
4. With everything in place, the mad bodywork began.
(5 and 6). After the truck...
(5 and 6). After the truck was as smooth as an egg, it was rolled over for some heavy booth time where Project Kustom received a truly one-of-a-kind paintjob.
6.
7. Moving on to the suspension,...
7. Moving on to the suspension, airbagit.com provided the complete front setup, including control arms to lay this Dime flat out in no time.
8. The stock parts hit the...
8. The stock parts hit the trash quick as the crew tag-teamed both sides and had everything bolted back up in less than 2 hours. The clock was ticking.
9. Moving on to the lifesaver...
9. Moving on to the lifesaver of this install, the plug and play literally saved days of install time as the kit included the compressor, valves, and everything we needed in a conveniently prewired box.
10. They got busy building...
10. They got busy building brackets to mount the plug and play and the air tank.
11. Here's a quick look at...
11. Here's a quick look at the bolt-in setup.
12. With the frame and parts...
12. With the frame and parts powdercoated, the final assembly resumed and the plug and play was quickly bolted in place.
13. After the convenient prewired...
13. After the convenient prewired setup, all that was needed was a proper ground and to run the power wire to the battery.
14. With the rear 'bags bolted...
14. With the rear 'bags bolted in place, the airline was run neatly and directly to the provided fittings on the plug and play.
15. The airline was cut to...
15. The airline was cut to length and run from the plug and play compressor to the air tank.
16. Next, the front airlines...
16. Next, the front airlines were connected.
(17 and 18). And just like...
(17 and 18). And just like that, the usually complicated process of installing air was cut in half, and they were well on the way to meeting the deadline. Here's a good look at how neat and clean the install came out, even with the crazy time crunch.
18.
19. A bunch of crazy nights...
19. A bunch of crazy nights later, the truck was reassembled and on its way to Las Vegas. Stay tuned for more on this project.