Takes me back to my youth. I grew up on a cattle ranch near Artesia NM. In the late 70’s and though the 80’s lifted anything was popular. I began building lift kits in high school. Square body Chevys were common. Lifting pre 1980 f-150’s was common, and lifting Toyota pickups was common. Less common was 1980 f-150’s with lifts over 5.5” due to the complexity. I got caught up in the 8”-18” lift range. I built a 1983 F-150 10” suspension copying skyjackers basic 5.5”. With that lift I could get 40” tires without rubbing on any 1980-86 f-150. I also took 1983 F-150 and replaced the independent suspension with a 1979 F-150 solid axle and used custom coils for a total of 16” of lift clearing 44” Ground Hawgs. Probably my favorite were Toyota pickups 80-83 short beds with 18-22” lift and 44” monster muddies or Ground Hawgs. Yes the tiny 4 could turn the tires but we normally pulled the engine and transmission and installed a small block Chevy with auto transmission. It was a lot of fun. Back then no one demanded mud flaps or had a law on maximum lift or tire exposure. Truthfully the owners of these trucks were a pretty nice lot of kids and young men. I don’t recall anyone getting into trouble or hurting anyone because of the lift. I did know a couple of guys who rolled their trucks but they were off road and being foolish.
could you put this in a book next time with chapters listed? LOL I still have a 1983 Toyota 4x4 22r with the short bed it is lifted and 33s on it I have garage kept it and it is in great condition no dents or rust. I now drive a 2021 Colorado zr2 extended cab, its lifted 4 inches (that is counting the factory lift ) 33s on it . I like the smaller trucks
Enjoyed your SEMA review and especially your appreciation for all kinds of trucks. Often people get it twisted and become polarized about builds and forget to appreciate the time, imagination and skill that they evolve. Cars are meant to be driven, lived with, loved and talked about, variety is the spice of life!!
Which Chevy or GMC was YOUR favorite?? Tell us below!
The Icon truck was my favorite.
Love the AEV GMC Sierra Grande. Hopefully they actually build it for sale.
Thanks for checking out my patina Silverado! I’d love to meet up this week and go over all the details with you, there’s a ton more to see!
Justin is still out in Vegas if you can find him! -Zach
Chevy / GMC needs to do a better job of integrating with 3rd party add ons. They're getting absolutely obliterated compared to Toyota
How much crack do you smoke for breakfast...last time I checked gm sells far more trucks than toyota.
Takes me back to my youth. I grew up on a cattle ranch near Artesia NM. In the late 70’s and though the 80’s lifted anything was popular. I began building lift kits in high school. Square body Chevys were common. Lifting pre 1980 f-150’s was common, and lifting Toyota pickups was common. Less common was 1980 f-150’s with lifts over 5.5” due to the complexity. I got caught up in the 8”-18” lift range. I built a 1983 F-150 10” suspension copying skyjackers basic 5.5”. With that lift I could get 40” tires without rubbing on any 1980-86 f-150. I also took 1983 F-150 and replaced the independent suspension with a 1979 F-150 solid axle and used custom coils for a total of 16” of lift clearing 44” Ground Hawgs.
Probably my favorite were Toyota pickups 80-83 short beds with 18-22” lift and 44” monster muddies or Ground Hawgs. Yes the tiny 4 could turn the tires but we normally pulled the engine and transmission and installed a small block Chevy with auto transmission.
It was a lot of fun. Back then no one demanded mud flaps or had a law on maximum lift or tire exposure. Truthfully the owners of these trucks were a pretty nice lot of kids and young men. I don’t recall anyone getting into trouble or hurting anyone because of the lift. I did know a couple of guys who rolled their trucks but they were off road and being foolish.
could you put this in a book next time with chapters listed? LOL I still have a 1983 Toyota 4x4 22r with the short bed it is lifted and 33s on it I have garage kept it and it is in great condition no dents or rust. I now drive a 2021 Colorado zr2 extended cab, its lifted 4 inches (that is counting the factory lift ) 33s on it . I like the smaller trucks
Enjoyed your SEMA review and especially your appreciation for all kinds of trucks. Often people get it twisted and become polarized about builds and forget to appreciate the time, imagination and skill that they evolve. Cars are meant to be driven, lived with, loved and talked about, variety is the spice of life!!
Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching!! -Zach
#projectSTOCKISH is my truck. Thanks for the love on it. I like when people appreciate the clean look I was after.
Thanks for watching! -Zach
Awesome! That was my white ZR2 Colorado. Looks like it was the only Colorado ZR2 at the show!
The SANCHA truck was built by my buddy out of Killeen, Tx. Last year he had one of the top 40. 13:00
Love those Putco products. Always will. Worked there for a couple years. Those Ranch Hand steps are quality as well.
Putco and Ranch Hand both make quality stuff, for sure! Thanks for watching! -Zach
The Sierra Grande started life as an SLE which AEV and GMC then outfitted with ATX4 parts.
Awesome!! I love This oldschool Chevy blazer!! 6:02
Thanks for watching! -Zach
I just watched your video on the Bing platform very good video thanks
Thanks for watching! -Zach
Stockish and the 454SS were my favorites.
Thanks for watching! -Zach
That is Ryan Martin's @fireballcamaro build from Street outlaws. It has a 1000hp 632 in it! 👍🏼
Aussie style trucks are so cool!
Agreed! Really wish we had more of them here in the states! -Zach
Hey bud, the best part was your awesome commentating. Good job!
Thanks for watching! -Zach
1st one the tire takes up so much bed room 😢 they had 2023 k5 blazer Silverado as well
Pretty sure that red ss is Ryan Martins and it has the new crate ZZ 632 chevy crate motor
Lifted trucks are cool. The raptor and trx are my faves for sure, but sucks that oems don't show regular cabs any love
I'm a sucker for a regular cab - lifted or lowered! You're not alone! -Zach
Canyon at4x on 37s with no poke! will they rub?
Trucks aren’t meant to be slammed.
They look pretty darn cool when they are, though. -Zach
waiting for ford
Our AmericanTrucks Ford SEMA video will be up later today! Stay tuned and thanks for watching! -Zach
My Chanel ❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! -Zach
If you are back tomorrow please see ours at v119. Beautiful 23 gmc canyon at4x