2021 Spring Lone Star Nationals Builders Choice Top 10 Trucks from Hill’s Hot Rods
Jason Hill and his Hill’s Hot Rods “Crüe” have been trendsetters in the Truck game since they opened the doors to the shop back in 1995. Since then, countless head-turning hot haulers have rolled out of the Lubbock, Texas-based facility, and many have found their way into winners’ circles and onto magazine covers while also being put to the test on the open road.
It made sense to invite Jason to select the Top 10 trucks out of the LMC Truck Showcase, and his selections reinforce that idea. They were all right on target. Here’s what caught Jason Hill’s attention – everything from early Fords to OBS Chevys.
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- Justin Wallace’s bright red ’98 Chevy is a prime example the red-hot trend of 1988-98 C/K Chevy and GMC trucks, referred to as “OBS” (Old Body Style). Justin added RideTech air suspension, Billet Specialties wheels, and Flowmaster exhaust connected to the reliable 350c.i. engine. His truck came from the factory with power steering and brakes, plus A/C and cruise control, and the pristine maroon interior and red exterior are original, too. If you find the right truck, a suspension upgrade and a new set of wheels is all that’s needed to turn heads.
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- Alan Johnson’s “Test Mule” ’32 Ford roadster pickup was built in-house at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop to help spread the word and serve as a testbed for the iconic Hollywood Spring & Axle products now being offered from JHRS. The Brookville body rests on a JHRS chassis and was finished with grey Axalta paint. A small-block Chevy V8 from Auto Specialties delivers the power reliably and will get proven out on the road, as the “Test Mule” will be driven to all shows and events you will see it at in the future.
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- Master metal shaper Levi Green is having a blast driving and showing his’58 Chevy Apache, which debuted at the 2019 SEMA Show and won a Chevy Design Award for Truck of the Year. As the owner of HammerFab, Levi preformed countless subtle metal mods before Vastine’s Paint Garage laid down the DeBeer paint. The modified chassis rolls on 20- and 22-inch Raceline wheels, while the 355c.i. engine is topped with Holley EFI and backed with a TH350 transmission. JJ’s Upholstery handled the interior, where you’ll also find a Kenwood/JL Audio system, Dakota Digital gauges, and Vintage Air.
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- Tommy Angelle’s ’67 C10 was an 18-month build that began with a ’71 C10 cab before adding a ’67 C10 front clip. Extensive Metal Works modified the stock frame, and a 6.2-liter LS engine was installed and paired with a Borla exhaust system. PPG Rubens Beige paint coats the shaved body while Sublime Heights stitched the brown leather and houndstooth upholstery, as well as built a custom center console. Dakota Digital gauges, Raceline wheels, and Wilwood disc brakes offer more highlights.
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- Ever wonder what a vintage truck from Cadillac might have look like? Noah Prinkyl did…and then executed it. He started with a ’50 Chevy pickup, sectioned and chopped the body, fit it on an S10 chassis, and then grafted on the grille and bumper from a ’52 Cadillac. The red custom interior accents the custom grey paint perfectly. Power comes from a 350c.i. small-block. The Caddy caps and wide whites highlight the Cadillac theme.
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- We were diggin’ Brian Vastine’s ’47 Ford just as much as Jason Hill did. It’s not too often that we see these years of Ford trucks done to the level of Brian’s. He got his down with ViAir air suspension and a Mustang II-style independent front suspension, which tucks the artillery wheels fitted with caps and rings nicely. Brown leather finishes off the interior and it’s still Ford powered with a well-dressed small-block Ford V8 under the hood.
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- Jason Thomas’ ’55 Chevy 3100 step side lays frame thanks to a Porterbuilt chassis equipped with Air Lift and RideTech suspension products. Power comes from an LQ9 engine that has been stroked to 408c.i. and is backed with a built 4L80E transmission. Jason’s truck features a tilt hood and bed floor and is finished with custom-mixed red-and-black paint. PG Upholstery handled the interior needs and finished it in black leather while a set of American Racing five-spoke wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires top things off.
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- Not only was KC Mathieu on the giving end of the other Top 10 Builder’s Choice awards in Texas, he also received one from Jason Hill for his ’68 F100. KC’s F100 rides on a Roadster Shop chassis with RideTech coil-overs and is powered by a Whipple-supercharged Coyote engine churning out 1,000-plus horsepower. A Tremec T56 Magnum transmission delivers power to Budnik wheels wrapped in Toyo tires. KC raised the bed floor, fabricated a custom firewall, and designed an integrated roll cage before applying the BASF olive green pain. Dakota Digital gauges and RestoMod Air highlight interior features.
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- It’s not always pro-built rides that find a Goodguys winners circle, or even a Builder’s Choice Top 10 pick. Case in point, Dwayne Breaux’s garage-built ’54 GMC pickup. Dwayne got his ’54 GMC sitting just right by using an S10 chassis equipped with air suspension and fitted with steelies and Coker whitewall tires. Power comes from a GM Vortec 350 engine backed with a 700R4.
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- Donnie Morse’s ’48 Ford COE loaded up with an equally-cool ’40 Ford Pickup drew big crowds in Texas! This owner-built hauler rides on a 1980 Chevy C30 chassis that has been fitted with air ride suspension and rolls on Vision wheels. A mid-mounted LS3 engine delivers plenty of hauling power. Donald Dukes handled the body and paint work using BASF products while Action Auto Trim was tasked with the interior needs.
