Photo: Tre5 Customs
If there's one thing we love around here, it's small, independent tuning shops turning out quality restomods with the same quality and craftsmanship as more notable, sponsor-backed shops twice their size. That's why it's with all the enthusiasm in the world we introduce you to Jeremy Rice and his shop, Tre5 Customs, in Peoria, Arizona. Although the SEMA show may have just wrapped up the next state over in Nevada, his turbo LSX-swapped Chevy C10 could've easily taken up booth space there.
Now, admittedly, LS-swapped C10s might be a bit last week if you're constantly checking out the latest restomods. But we hazard to guess that not very many are as low to the ground or as delightfully patinaed as what Jeremy's come up with in his own shop. In its day, the second-generation Chevy C10, built from 1967 to 1972, left the factory with a slew of different straight-six and V8 engines ranging from 250 cubic inches (4.1-L) to a 402 cubic inch (6.6-liter) big block, paired to one of seven different manual or automatic transmission with two to four forward gears.
It's hard to say which combination this particular truck left the dealer lot sporting. But we can tell you that once the stock drivetrain was removed, this C10 became an artist's easel just as much as it was a pickup truck. In its place is a 5.3-liter, turbocharged LSX-based, long-block V8 crate motor from Summit Racing with an aftermarket camshaft and manifold from Summit Racing's Pro LS Turbo line. With high-end stainless steel construction, these will do the job far better than what this engine would have had if it left a GM factory.
Add up all the goodies, and this LSX is jetting 450 horsepower every day of the week. All this power is fed to a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission with overdrive, which leads to a custom two-piece driveshaft to a Ford-style, nine-inch rear end from Dutchman Axles in Meridian, Idaho. Thanks to a wicked step-down custom chassis from REVB Chassis Company and an AccuAir E-Level air suspension system that drops the car even further, there are really low-slung trucks, and then there's this one. No, seriously, running over an old Tic Tac case in this truck must feel like a giant speed bump.
With the C10's body removed, we can see just how much quality engineering and mechanical know-how on Jeremy's part went into making every nut and bolt of this truck as SEMA-ready as any custom rig could possibly look. The fact a small, privately-run shop and not some corporate sponsor machine made it all happen is just added gravy on top. Congrats to Jeremy and Tre5 Customs for an absolutely amazing job well done.
It's hard to say which combination this particular truck left the dealer lot sporting. But we can tell you that once the stock drivetrain was removed, this C10 became an artist's easel just as much as it was a pickup truck. In its place is a 5.3-liter, turbocharged LSX-based, long-block V8 crate motor from Summit Racing with an aftermarket camshaft and manifold from Summit Racing's Pro LS Turbo line. With high-end stainless steel construction, these will do the job far better than what this engine would have had if it left a GM factory.
Add up all the goodies, and this LSX is jetting 450 horsepower every day of the week. All this power is fed to a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission with overdrive, which leads to a custom two-piece driveshaft to a Ford-style, nine-inch rear end from Dutchman Axles in Meridian, Idaho. Thanks to a wicked step-down custom chassis from REVB Chassis Company and an AccuAir E-Level air suspension system that drops the car even further, there are really low-slung trucks, and then there's this one. No, seriously, running over an old Tic Tac case in this truck must feel like a giant speed bump.
With the C10's body removed, we can see just how much quality engineering and mechanical know-how on Jeremy's part went into making every nut and bolt of this truck as SEMA-ready as any custom rig could possibly look. The fact a small, privately-run shop and not some corporate sponsor machine made it all happen is just added gravy on top. Congrats to Jeremy and Tre5 Customs for an absolutely amazing job well done.
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