Higher Ground – Hill’s Hot Rods Builds a Restomod 1984 Chevy K10
As any truck enthusiast knows, squarebody GM trucks have been red-hot in recent years. Propelled into the limelight by the stratospheric prices of its 1967-72 siblings, the 1973-87 Chevy and GMC trucks have now achieved parity in value and desirability. The General made millions over the years in every possible configuration. The rugged simplicity of these rigs and the huge ecosystem of replacement parts surrounding them have supercharged their popularity, as well.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, trucks aren’t just for grocery hauling, and heavy-duty 4×4 versions were usually run hard. One example that ditched a date with the crusher is Bob and Kelly Ward’s 1984 Chevy K10 4X4, christened “BJ” after Bob Jr.’s nickname.
We laid eyes on the lifted truck at Goodguys 2024 Lone Star Nationals in Texas and were intrigued. Built by Hill’s Hot Rods out of Lubbock, Texas, we dug the stance, build quality, and overall execution. The best part was they brought the rig into the 21st century but left the OEM-esque two-tone paint, trim, and badging intact. Amazingly, the build on this K10 was completed in a mere six months, which is a testament to the shop’s familiarity with the squarebody platform.
Bob and Kelly hail from Mansfield, Texas, and they travel back and forth to their second home in Colorado. Bob runs a heavy machinery business and is no stranger to commissioning custom cars and trucks. He has worked with Hill’s Hot Rods for years, but this truck wasn’t initially conjured by him.
“The staff at Hills Hot Rods, a.k.a. ‘The Crue,’ built the truck to take to Barrett-Jackson,” Bob tells us. “I kept hearing about the build’s progress. They kept saying it was perfect for me and ‘my name was all over it.’ As fate would have it, I bought the truck at Barrett, and now my name is on the title. The truck is a perfect addition to our Colorado homestead.”
Jason Hill owns Hill’s Hot Rods and has been in business for 32 years. We talked with Hill’s shop manager Colby “Cheese” Akins. “We’re a full-service facility and do nearly everything in-house,” Colby says. “We can build any vehicle to a customer’s liking, but lately we’ve been working on 4x4s and trucks. Bob’s Chevy is the culmination of everything we do.”
The truck is certainly cool, so let’s break down the build step by step. It’s based on a factory frame with a custom suspension package from Offroad Design. It includes crossover steering, front and rear suspension, hangars, springs, and Fox shocks. It also gives the truck a 4-inch lift. This package is tailor-made for each specific application and factors in weight and drivetrain data to fine-tune the result. “Offroad Design’s suspension system makes this old Chevy drive just like a brand new one,” Bob says. This stout new foundation rolls on Raceline 17×9-inch Ryno rims wrapped in 35×12.5/17 Toyo Open Country rubber.
Modern motivation comes from a Chevrolet Performance 5.3-liter LT V8 crate engine mated to an 8L90 eight-speed transmission. With roughly 400hp, the combo has enough grunt to easily twist all four wheels via an Atlas 3.0 transfer case. The engine runs a custom tune and exhales through Speed Engineering headers and a Borla 2.5-inch stainless exhaust and mufflers.
The 1984 Chevy K10 sheet metal and paint were all done in-house at Hill’s. “The Crue” massaged the exoskeleton until it was perfect and then Jason sprayed it out in tan PPG paint with a white two-tone and blue striping. Although not an exact factory color combo, the finish nails a perfect Reagan-era retro vibe. The bed has a very nice Bedwood Retroliner in a Sapele wood finish. Flush-mounted front and rear glass by Fesler USA is a subtle touch that eliminates rubber weatherstrips and offers a clean finish.
Inside the cabin, JD Glassworks stitched up the Snowden bucket seats and the rest of the interior in multiple hides of caramel-colored Apex leather. The work here is meticulous, but the addition of plaid inserts borrowed from clothier Dixxon really makes the interior pop. Think of ’70s-era Chevy pickup trim options like Scottsdale and Cheyenne and you get the idea. The cockpit also features a custom console, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air, Kicker audio gear, and a Forever Sharp steering wheel.
With a wink in his eye, Bob told us, “I have six more vehicles in the works at Hill’s Hot Rods. I was retired, but I am working again based on my current relationship with the shop.”
Colby wants it known that the entire “Crue” at Hill’s is responsible for this 1984 Chevy K10 build. “Everyone loves what they do here,” Colby says, “and each played a significant role in the truck, so I want to give a shoutout to them.” We say congrats to Bob and Kelly and bravo to “The Crue,” and we look forward to what pops out of Hill’s Hot Rods next.
Photos by John Jackson
