John Mata Jr.
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January 23, 2024
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Chevrolet
There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than going to a custom truck show, especially if it’s one as epic as Lone Star Throwdown in Conroe, Texas. This is where Mike Guillot of Millbrook, Alabama, first felt the itch to bump his project 2007 Chevy Silverado up a few more notches. Of course, he had already completed a few basic modifications before the fateful trip to LST in 2014, but it wasn’t until then when he felt compelled to transform his truck into one that would be more memorable—even in a crowd of that magnitude.
“ My truck had already been ‘bagged back when I attended LST that year,” Mike says. “I was just blown away by the level of trucks that were there. I couldn’t wait to get back home so I could pick back up on my Silverado.”
To get the truck to sit as low and ride as comfortably as possible, Mike enlisted the help of Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston to perform a stock-floor bodydrop, as well as assemble and mount premium air-ride components to give his Chevy on-the-fly ride height adjustability.
While at Ekstensive, the Silverado was also treated to a rear 2-link setup and notched framerails to make ample space for suspension system travel.
“In my mind, Ekstensive was the only shop I could think of that could pull off exactly what I wanted done to the truck,” adds Mike. “I didn’t want to think twice about the quality of workmanship, so they were the only natural option for me.”
The expertise of Ekstensive proved to be valuable throughout the chassis overhaul, especially when prepping the truck for a large set of wheels. The exact dimensions of front 26×10 and rear 26×12 Intro Twisted Blade billets were calculated to ensure a perfect fitment at each corner.
TO get the truck to sit as low and ride as comfortable as possible, Mike enlisted the help of Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston to perform a stock-floor bodydrop, as well as assemble and mount premium air-ride components…”
With the Silverado now sitting as low as it could go, Mike then reached the next order of business of having its exterior cleaned up a bit before any paint was applied. First, the factory gas door, antenna, mirrors, stake pockets, and third brake light were 86’d for cleanliness’ sake. Next, a 2015 GMC Denali front clip was imported and grafted into the factory fender to match up the front and rear fenders. A custom engine cover and bay panels, along with front wheel tubs, were fabricated before Scott Refice was asked to wield his spray gun filled with Tamco My Boy Blue paint, which proved to be a great color selection for the Silverado. A one-off bead-rolled bed with center fuel filler and custom tubs have since been created and finished off with spray-in bed coating to allow the box to function while being well-protected.
A one-off bead-rolled bed with center fuel filler and custom tubs have since been created and finished off with spray-in bed coating to allow the box to function while being well-protected.”
To get the interior in order, Miguel “Mike” Tornero whipped up custom front and rear seats and covered them in gray Ultraleather material with one-off center inserts. The dash, headliner, and door panels have also been recovered with the same upholstery work for a seamless transition throughout the cab space. The rear bench was split in half to squeeze a custom console between them that houses two Phoenix Gold Elite 12-inch subwoofers for plenty of thump. Additional Phoenix Gold audio products in the shape of two amplifiers and 6.5-inch component speakers in the door panels have also been wired up to enhance cruise sessions around town.
THE exact dimensions of front 26×10 and rear 26×12 Intro Twisted Blade billets were calculated to ensure a perfect fitment at each corner.”
Mike will be the first to admit that while his Chevy looks great as it sits, there are improvements that he’d like to see done before calling it “complete.”
“I’d possibly like to add some graphics to the exterior and maybe touch up the interior to give it more depth,” he admits. “These truck projects are never done.”
Nevertheless, Mike’s Silverado is magazine-worthy as-is and is sure to be one of the most memorable pickups to be found in any given show field.
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