After years of doing small projects I wanted to do something different. I have always admired the builds that came out of Rad Rides by Troy. In 2004 I became friends with them followed some of there builds first hand and I kept saying to myself I can do that. However I lacked certain skills to accomplish my goals. I am a very good at remove, replace, design, light fabrication but I didn't own a welder and hadn't welded since the late 80's. So I decided that if I was going to build a project I would need to team up with a few local shops.

My main goal was to prove that the small guy could pair up with best fabricator, builder & interior shop and build a one of a kind vehicle. It needed to be different and stand out from the crowd so the limited production Sonoma GT (806 made) was chosen. Not only did the vehicle need to be different by the engine had to be a v6 with a twist, actually a pair of hairdryer had to be hanging off the motor to entice people to take a look. Apparently we've succeeded as the truck has been in many magazines.

First the truck was located and quickly disassembled and taken to Dave at Competition Fabrication (www.compfab.com) for a one of a kind chassis this is not only good looking but functional. My goal was not only to pick the best chassis shop but to make sure all of the parts that we chosen for the chassis were the best of the best. Making this truly a one of a kind chassis.

After the chassis was completed it was off to Kenny Davis Hot Rods (www.kdhotrods.com). The guys at Kenny Davis Hot Rods were originally to perform all of the bodywork and final paint. However things quickly changed and Kenny felt that we could take this truck a little further. I agreed and we contacted Bob Thrash formerly from Rad Rides to work his magic on the paint and Graphics. After all of the paint work was complete Kenny, Kenny Sr and Travis finished the assembly and prepared the truck for Interior.

Before the truck left for Interior Big Al took time out of his busy schedule to fly in from Florida to wiring the ignition and the Big Stuff 3. He was an integral part of getting this beast running. Without him Kenny may have lost a little more hair.

Not stopping there the truck headed to the Recovery Room Interiors (www.recoveryroominteriors.com). Working with Tracy & Jimmy was a pleasure. Tracy was open to all of my ideas and incorporated them with his idea's to build a OE Style Concept interior. At first glance the interior colors catch your eyes and pull you in. Once you start looking at all of little details it's hard to believe that they work so perfectly together. They pulled off the impossible in my opinion and I couldn't be happier.

Now that the build is complete it's hard to believe it's actually over. In the beginning it was all about the build however that quickly changed. What I now have are some of the best friends that I am certain I will have for a lifetime. I can't wait to start the next project and I looking forward to working with all of the same shop, vendors and all of the member of the BB forums that have become my distant family.

Designer - Sportmachines.com
Renderings - Bob Thrash & Carter Hickman Design

Chassis Fabrication - Competition Fabrications
Suspension - by Ride Tech

Wheels & Tires - Billet Specialties & BF Goodrich

Engine - Race Proven Motors
Ignition - Big Stuff 3 & MSD wired by Big Al

Transmission - by Bowler Transmission
Exhaust - Stainless Works Rod Builder Kit

Paint & Body - Kenny Davis Hot Rods
Graphics - Bob Thrash

Final Assembly - Kenny Davis Hot Rods

Interior - Recovery Room Interiors
Gauges - by Autometer
Sound Deadening - by Cascade Audio


Engine
4.7 L Chevy Bowtie Block
Crower Crankshaft, Oliver Connecting Rods, JE Pistons
Pontiac 18 Degree Race Heads, Comp Cams Valve Train, Jesel Valve Train w/ Offset Roller Rockers
Hogan Intake Manifold

Stainless 321 Exhaust Headers,Precision Turbo GTQ 32, 51 Trim, 58 Tangenal Exhaust Housing Turbochargers (2)
Innovative Mini-Gate Waste Gates
Stainless Steel Exhaust

Aeromotive Fuel System
Big Stuff 3 ECU w/MSD Igintion

Transmission
4L80E Transmission by Bowler Transmission


Suspension .
Aluminum 9" Ford - Aluminum Third Member
Custom Parralel 4 Bar w/Air Ride Shock Wave Shocks
Shock Wave - Air Ride Upper & Lower Control Arm
Bell Tech 2" Drop Spindle's & Sway Bar

Brakes
14" Wilwood Brakes Front and Rear w/ Wilwood Dual Master Cylnder with remote Bias in cab Control


Wheels & Tires
Billet Specialties "SLG 20" Soft Lip Wheels,
Front: 18 x 8 w/ BFG KDW-II Tires, size 225/45/18 (26" tall)
Rear: 20 x 10 w/ BFG KDW-II Tires, size 295/45/20 (30.5" tall)

Paint
Paint by: Kenny Davis Hot Rods
Graphics by Bob Thrash from Rad Rides

Exterior Modifications
Cab Modifications
Mesh Grille by Kenny Davis Hot Rods
Factory Grille slots - removed and replaced with custom mesh
Opening Scanned & Digitized to create a wood buck
Mesh grille Hammer Formed around wood buck

Sonoma GT Ground Effects
Fender Cladding molded in Fiberglass ( widend to match fender )
Mounting hardware replaced with direct mount to bed side

Front Cover
Molded in Fiberglass
Intercooler Opening cut into lower portion of front cover
Opening Scanned & Digitized to create a wood buck
Mesh grille Hammer Formed around wood buck
Grille installed on the rear of opening

Driving Lights removed and now used for Air Intake Ducts
Opening Scanned & Digitized to create a wood buck
Mesh grille Hammer Formed around wood buck
Grille installed on the rear of opening

Core Support
Forward mounted AC Condensor
Intercooler mounted thru lower Portion of Core Support
Horizontal Cross brace ( Twin Tube design to match back Half chassis )
Radiator mounted on Welnuts to absorb vibration and prevent fatigue ( access holes on front of support )

Straightened & Smoothed
Factory Vertical lip removed to smooth the top
Support frame boxed to add rigidity

Intercooler Elbow mounted thru support

Overflow bottle hidden above intercooler
PS Resivoir Mounted on custom mounts
Relief cut into lower portion of core support to allow removal of air cleaner lids

Hood
Custom Twin Scoop Cowl Induction Hood
Factory Bracing removed
Billet Hood Pins & Skuff plates ( pins act as hood level adjuster
Billet Hood Hinges

Fenders
Lips rolled and smoothed
Inner structure cut and raised 2 1/2" to allow wheel clearence

Inner Fenders
Custom made to allow full turning radius
Multiple mounting points on Firewall and Fender

Wiper Cowl
Wiper Cowl, Straightend to match firewall
Specialty Power Window Remote Wiper mounted for Future use

Firewall
Set back 2.5" to gain more engine bay ( allow for better turbo placement )
Exhaust reliefs cut into firewall
Wheel tub reliefs cut into firewall

Floor
Transmission Tunnel raised to allow clearence for 4l80 Transmission
Front Body Mounts boxed and braced to add rigidity for Roll Bar mount



Roll Cage
8 Point Cage ( 6 Point inside cab )
Cage has alignment bolts that "Positions" Cab on the chassis

Doors
Welded hinges removed and replaced with Adjustable hinges on "A" Pillar
Welded hinges removed and replaced with Adjustable hinges on Doors
Door handles & locks shaved ( AVS Door Poppers Installed )

Misc
"A" Piller body line matched to Fender
"B" Piller widened at rear most corner to align with Bed
Amplifier Mounts installed on back of cab.


Sonoma GT Ground Effects
Rocker Cladding molded in Fiberglass ( lengthened 1/2" )
Rocker Cladding has bar stock molded in to aid in straightness
Mounting hardware replaced with direct mount to bed side


Bed Modifiactions
Bed Side
Front of Bed Cut and pulled out to match with of "B" Pillar
Flattened to be horrizontal accross the top
Cut at Tailgate to align verticle side
Side Flared to Gain clearence
Fender Lips Rolled Smooth

Sonoma GT Ground Effects
Bed Side Rocker Cladding molded in Fiberglass ( lengthened 1/2" )
Bed Side Rocker Cladding relief cut in for Exhaust Exit
Rear Corners molded in Fiberglass ( widened at Rear most corner to align with bed corner )

Wheel Tubs
Removed and Boxed to allow clearence for 30.5" tire
Inner bed side contoured to match frame ( allows frame to be seen )
Tubs to be panel Bonded to bed Sides

Bed Floor
Raised to clear rear suspension
Sub woofer enclosure on D-Side of Bed
Dual Battery enclosure on P-Side of Bed
Smoothed by tailgate area
Fuel Cell Access in Bed

Tailgate
Skinned for a smooth look
Handle Relocated to inside of bed
Lower Part of tailgate straigtened

Rear Bumper Cover
Bumper "J" Cut to allow gate to open past bumper
Cover molded in Fiberglass
Cover widened 1/2" on each side to match with of Tailgate


Misc.
Belly Pan to hide fuel cell
Wheel tub tied into belly pan
Billet Bed Shims machined to allow for perfect fit

Interior
Recovery Room Interiors
Leather/Suede Factory Seat Conversion (Supplied by Hydro Illusions)
Carbon Fiber Dash Surround (Supplied by Hydro Illusions)
Carbon Fiber Consule Cup Holder and Shifer (Supplied by Hydro Illusions)
Autometer Gauges (Supplied by Autometer)
American Auto Wire Harness
1 3/4 Roll Bar (8 Point)


Audio / Video
Kenwood Head Unit complimented by Kicker Audio
ZX550.3 3 Channel Amp
Amp End Caps
4 Gauge 2-Channel Complete Amplifier Kit
QS65.2 6.5" Component System w/ 1 3/16" Tweeter
Solo Classic S8C 8-Inch Subwoofer, 2-Ohm DVC
GR8 Round 8-Inch Cast Grille