Texas Grand-Slam Low Rider

This award-winning 1993 Silverado features many products your truck customers want to buy.

Probably one of the most important features of this ultra-slammed and air-bagged 1993 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 extended-cab street truck is something you can't see—pride. Truck owner and enthusiast Mike Abney of Weatherford, Texas, along with his friends and family—Steve (known as "Fella"), Zack Nicholson, Jimmy McGraw, Rusty Calcoda, brother Steven Abney, and father Homer Abney—built this truck at home. Look out professional street-truck builders!

"This truck was built to have fun," Mike Abney said.

ABNEY'S SUPER-SLAMMED CHEVY TRUCK

Starting with the chassis, Abney installed an Extensive Metal Works (EMW) c-notch kit to the frame's rear, along with a set of EMW ladder bars and an EMW rear panhard rod to support the GM 12-bolt live rear axle, which retained the stock final drive ratio. Then the boys installed a set of Firestone 2600-series air bags and Toxic air bag shock absorbers.

Front suspension on the slammed Chevy consists of factory unequal-length GM control arms and a set of 2-inch-dropped DJM front spindles. Once again, a set of Firestone 2600 air bags and Toxic shocks oversee suspension duty. The air-bag system itself uses a homemade controller using GM electric window switches and is fed by twin 50-lb. nitrogen tanks mounted in the truck bed.

The brake system uses the stock factory GM front-disc-brake/rear-drum-brake combination. Wheels and tires consist of a set of 20x8-inch Centerline "Dagger" wheels rolling on P235/55 x ZR20 Kuhmo radial rubber.

Powering this two-tone candy-red-and-white beauty is a highly detailed 1993 Chevrolet 350-cubic-inch V-8. "The engine was smoothed and painted PPG Candy Apple Red, Silver, and Cool Vanilla. Upgrades include a set of GM Performance Parts chrome-plated valve covers, GM/Taylor HEI ignition, and a K&N lifetime (air) filter," Abney said.

The exhaust system on Abney's Chevy consists of a set of ceramic-coated stock cast-iron GM exhaust manifolds mated to a single Flow Tech-equipped 3-inch thermal-coated exhaust system by Chuck's Muffler Shop in Weatherford, Texas. Backing up the small-block is an owner-modified, silver-painted GM 700R4 automatic transmission.

As you can see, the truck's exterior bodywork modifications are extensive. "The drip rails have been shaved and the body seams have been filled," Abney explained.

The gas-filler door, antenna, and stake pockets have all been shaved and/or filled. The Silverado tailgate now features a sunken-in license plate tilted (clocked) 45 degrees. Recognize those taillights? They come from a Toyota Supra.

Up front, the Silverado is equipped with 2000 Cadillac Escalade front sheet metal, grille, and headlights and a 2006 GMC front bumper. The inside of the truck bed has been sprayed with Superliner. As for paint, Abney and painter friend "Fella" also sprayed the Silverado in PPG Candy Apple Red, Cool Vanilla, and Silver.

Inside, the truck features a 1959 Chevrolet dashboard with a GM six-way-tilt steering column bolted to a Billet Specialties billet-aluminum steering wheel. Other items include an owner-fabricated console, Alpine audio system, Dolphin gauges, and a red suede-and-white leather interior by Cal's Top Shop in Fort Worth, Texas.

AN AWARD-WINNER

Abney's truck has won numerous "Outstanding Truck" and "Best of Show" trophies, including first place in the "Contemporary Truck" category and "Outstanding Truck" at the 2007 Fort Worth Rod & Custom Car & Truck Show, where this beautiful Silverado was photographed.

Projects like this don't just happen. A lot of planning, time, and money are invested into a modified vehicle as nice as this one. Abney shares the credit.

"I would like to thank my wife Dawn and, above all, my parents for allowing me to use their garage during the lengthy buildup of the truck. Without their help, none of this would have been possible," Abney said.