A Tribute and Transformation

When Johnny Ramos of Garland, Texas, decided to build his 2009 GMC Sierra, he wasn’t just customizing a custom truck; he was preserving a piece of family history. Named “La Paloma” by his grandfather, the truck became a labor of love that Johnny, an electrician by trade, dedicated five years and $70,000 to transform into its current stunning form. Johnny is a proud member of the truck club Draztik, and his build is a testament to his addiction for custom trucks.

La Paloma’s exterior now sports a 2017 GMC Denali front clip, rear taillights, bumpers, and tailgate, giving it a fresh, modern look. The entire truck is painted in a pearl white with orange flake, accented by custom airbrush graphics that add a unique look. Felix Lonestar at Lone Star Collision in Dallas handled the paintwork, while the intricate graphics were the creation of Tinta de Guerra from McAllen, Texas.

Under the hood, La Paloma hides a 6.2L LS engine with a full 6.2 powertrain sourced from a 2010 GM vehicle. The engine, built by Campos Shop in Arlington, Texas, sports an all-aluminum LS9 forged bottom end, a stage three camshaft from Texas Speed, LS7 internals, a Holley High-Ram intake manifold, Texas Speed headers, and a Black Widow exhaust system. To top it off, a Nitrous Express system with a 150-shot of nitrous provides some additional boost. The ignition system is powered by a Lincoln filter ignition system, ensuring reliability.

The transmission is a 6L90E from a 2010 GM vehicle, paired with a custom driveshaft and a Circle D torque converter with a 3200 stall. This combination promises that La Paloma not only looks good, but also performs as expected.

The truck’s chassis has been heavily modified with a rear wishbone-style suspension setup, while the front has a custom suspension that includes Slam Specialties airbags and air management system. Rios Customs in Fort Worth, Texas, handled all the frame modifications, ensuring that La Paloma rides smoothly and handles well.

For stopping power, Johnny installed 16-inch six-piston Brembo brakes behind a set of Intro wheels. The 26×9 wheels in the front and massive 26×13 wheels in the rear give this truck a look like no other. The interior of La Paloma is as impressive as its exterior. The truck has Escalade Platinum seats, which were reupholstered in coco brown leather by Johnny himself. The steering wheel is an Intro ID313 to match the wheels, adding a touch of custom style inside the cab. The audio system is controlled by a Stinger 10-inch display head unit, ensuring that Johnny enjoys both comfort and entertainment on his drives.

La Paloma has made appearances at numerous events, including Turkey Drag, LST, Texas Heatwave, Texas Hold Em, and many others. When asked about any potential changes, Johnny mentioned that he might consider changing the interior color. The easiest part of the build? According to Johnny, it was “pumping the gas into it.” The most challenging aspect was fine-tuning the engine, a testament to the effort required to achieve this level of performance.

Johnny’s advice for others embarking on a similar build is simple: “Find the shortcuts that make things easier.” For him, the most unique feature of La Paloma is its exterior graphics, which never fail to draw attention.

La Paloma isn’t just a custom truck; it’s a rolling tribute to Johnny’s grandfather and a testament to the power of dedication and passion in the world of custom trucks.

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