CHOP-TOP HAULER

Christchurch’s Bruce Smith has a seriously cool hauler in the build. While there’s great stuff going on underneath the hood, such as an LS1 and a 4L60-E, there’s far more to the truck than just modern reliability. The stock chassis has received a bunch of improvements, with a four-bar rear end replacing the stock leaf springs and the American-fitted Chevelle front end also being re-engineered. The bodywork, completed by Dave and Simon Hunt at Phataz Bodyz, is where things start to get more complex. Four and a half inches have been taken out of the roof, most of that from the cab forehead, with just 1.5 inches coming out of the pillars. A rolled rear pan has been added, along with mini-tubs, and the front end smoothed off to match. The plan from here is to add some negative details to the front end and the lower lip of the front guards. With the interior receiving a Glide seat, Vintage Air, and a custom dash tray, the truck is set to be just as good on the inside as it appears on the outside when it hits the road later this year.