Every year, we see proposals for projects that are interested in debuting with us at SEMA. But it is out of the ordinary when two buddies contact us about putting their builds in the spotlight as they go head to head for the biggest industry event of the year.
And even though MT's own freelance photographer Jason Walker and his adversary (at least for the next few months) Chris Knotts, have remained friendly through the start of their builds, it's all business from now until their big throw down in the city of sin. It has been interesting seeing how much enthusiasm and planning both guys have invested in their respective trucks. We've been seeing teaser pics flow in from both sides, and have had to keep them all top secret…until now.
But instead of telling the stories secondhand and standing the chance of accidently leaving out important details, we've decided to let Jason and Chris tell their own tales. Since we get to be impartial here just like the rest of you, we confess that we've been looking forward to hearing these two dudes sling a little mud at each other.
So without further ado, let's meet these two battling buds, and check out the progress they've made on their trucks so far.
Personal Info
First Name: Chris
Nickname: "Krisko"
Last Name: Knotts
Age: 31
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 183 pounds of awesomeness
Tool Of Choice: Cut-off wheel (which oddly always tries to kill me)
Previous Customs Built: '93 Nissan Hardbody, '89 Nissan Hardbody, '92 Mazda B2200, '63 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, '04 Mercedes C230K
Likes: Good whisky, beautiful women, and low trucks.
Dislikes: Donks, little wheels, and air horns
Boob or Butt Man: In the wise words of Sir Mix-A-Lot: "she gotta pack much back"
2012 SEMA Project Info
1986 Nissan 720
Nickname: "Severance Pay"
Wheels: 22x7.5 Status Fang (front) / 24x9 (rear)
Suspension (front): 5-lug conversion with custom upper and lower control arms, Toyota drop spindles, hubs, calipers and slotted/cross-drilled rotors.
Suspension (rear): Custom back half built by My World Fabrication utilizing mandrel bent rear framerails, parallel four-link, Watt's link, cantilevered reservoir shock setup, Viair compressors and SMC valves.
Body Mods: Shaved marker lights, shaved key holes and door handles, tailgate skin and rollpan, shaved wiper cowl, one-off front bumper and full phantom grill, suicide doors and a few other secret goodies with all paint and bod by Killer Ridez.
Performance: Stock four-cylinder with a Weber carb and header.
"Sat What?!"
How long have you been working on your truck?
I had been out of the scene for a long time when I eventually moved back to Dallas and started hanging out with my old club again. An opportunity came up in November of 2010 to buy a friend's 720 he had purchased for a project of his own. At the time it was complete and fully stock, all I wanted to do was static drop it and restore it, you can see what happened next.
So, what makes your truck so cool?
It's an awesome old school ride with the biggest wheels possible.
What's been the most difficult part of your build?
Not enough time and money.
Describe the theme of your build in three words?
Awesomely sexy dragability
Favorite thing about your opponent's truck?
It's got a big motor and deep ass billets!
Any advice for your opponent?
Should have bought billets for MY truck to shut him up about me not having any!
How are you going to celebrate the completion of your truck?
Pugz and I are gonna cruise the Vegas strip! What else?
Famous Last Words
I'd like to thank my friends, my car club Lone Star Kustomz and all my buddies in the forums on dfwminis and infamousnissan, without all your help and encouragement I definitely wouldn't be where I am now. I'd also like to thank all the sponsors involved, Pat and Shannon at Kinetik, Porno for creating my inspiring rendering at KP Concepts, Ryan's Sheetmetal Designs for all the late hours he's about to be working, Welder Series for having all the small awesome parts that have brought detail to my build, Taylor at Michigan Metal Works for building the control arms, the guys at Killer Ridez for doing all the paint and body,
Ben Miller with Rellimneb Entertainment for doing all the photo and film work for the build off, and last but not least Geno and Shawny B—my crew at My World Fabrication. Geno has been my biggest asset on this build. He's pushed me and gotten so much done while I have had to work out of town for most of the build, I handed him a lot of responsibility in my absence and he's done an awesome job. This truck has been a huge help to get our shop off the ground and running, I can't wait to reveal it at SEMA to show everyone what we can do!
Personal Info
First Name: Jason
Nickname: "Pugz"
Last Name: Walker
Age: 31
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 275 pounds
Tool Of Choice: My wallet
Previous Customs Built: '95 Nissan Hardbody, '97 Nissan Hardbody, '03 Nissan Frontier, '94 Nissan Pathfinder
Likes: Long, slow drives down the beach
Dislikes: Little motors, primer, lambo doors
Boob or Butt Man: Boobs! You can't watch a butt bounce while driving down a bumpy road.
2012 SEMA Project Info
1971 Datsun 521
Nickname: "LS 521"
Wheels: 18x7 Intro Ripple 5 (front) / 20x10 w/6-inch lip (rear)
Suspension (front): Custom upper and lower control arms, Belltech Nissan Hardbody Spindles, 4x4 Hardbody rotors, 300ZX four-piston calipers.
Suspension (rear): Custom frame from Built 2 Drag Customs, mandrel-bent rear framerails, four-link, Viair compressors
Body Mods: Shaved marker lights, key holes, full skin combo from Cando Specialties, custom fuel cell by Demon Industries, paint and body by Pristine Image with DuPont products
Performance: GM 5.3L, 700r4 trans, carb conversion, billet pulleys and accessories
"Sat What?!"
How long have you been working on your truck?
I bought the truck in 2007 and kept it until 2008. I've regretted selling it back since then. When I had the opportunity to buy it back, I jumped on it. I bought it back in February 2012 with plans of leaving it alone. Now everything is being changed.
So, what makes your truck so cool?
Little truck, big wheels, big motor—what else do you need?
What's been the most difficult part of your build?
The time frame
Describe the theme of your build in three words:
Rod inspired mini
Favorite thing about your opponent's truck?
It's a Nissan
Any advice for your opponent?
He should've bought billets
How are you going to celebrate the completion of your truck?
Cruising next to Krisko's truck down Las Vegas Blvd. Famous Last Words
I'd like to thank my wife first and foremost. All the sponsors involved, Nick at Intro Wheels, Lance at Viair, Roel at Belltech, John and Rey at B2D Customs, DuPont, Lokar, Ryan's Sheetmetal Designs, Ron at Autoloc/Hoffman Group, Erik at Kinetik, Jason Pope, Cando Specialties, Second Skin, Dave Flint at Pristine Image, Max Brill at Maxxed, Scott Rupp, Aaron and "Turtle" at Best Automotive, last but not least all the members at InfamousNissan.com and anyone else I'm forgetting.