Chevrolet Trucks Blog

Functionality was always the primary goal of all pickup trucks, now their aesthetic factor are fast becoming the main focus. Customization of different vehicles is a growing trend, making each vehicle unique and more personal for the driver or owner. For Jim Catron of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, having his work truck customized was not just the product of purely showing it off. Because at a tender age of 11, Catron painted his first car and have been improving his skills as a fabricator and painter. Plus, he wanted to make a name for himself as a top-notch builder.

It was no question that to really prove his skills he would be doing it to his own daily driven work truck, a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. He chose to lift it up and succeeded in getting his desirable height, by bolting it up with a 10-inch IFS kit and a custom four-link out back, which provided enough lift to clear the 37-inch-tall tires. To control that ride, 10 reservoir shocks keep this monster from bouncing uncontrollably every time the tires encounter a bump. Then, he included 14-inch two-piece rotors, with ceramic brake pads that lay the clamp down on the massive Jesse James wheels and Super Swamper tires.

After concentrating on the suspension, Catron then improved the exterior features of the Avalanche. Since he wanted his ride to look as clean as possible, the factory body cladding had to be removed, sanded smooth and reinstalled. A ram-induction hood replaced the factory unit, and the truck was ready for the booth. To really showcase his painting skills, the truck was taped off and coated with a white paint. While some color came in as Catron treated the hood, B-pillars, doors and bumper with silver and black marble paint. As he reassembled the truck, he ditched the front tow hooks, added a modified and painted Chevy Bow Tie, and made his own speed grilles. Aluminum steps, a billet fuel door, custom-made diamond-plate panels, new door handles and fender vents were installed to really accentuate the fresh paint.

Catron didn’t just want for his Chevrolet truck to look good, he also wanted to get the most out of the 5.3 liter engine, without having the case cracked open. His solution was to enhanced the computer with some programmer, then he added a new cold-air intake and throttle-body spacer, as well as improving the exhaust that boosted the power of the small-block. With all the subtle motor modifications, the 5.3 liter powerplant puts out an estimated 380 hp that works well with the 4.56:1 gears.

Catron personally catered to the truck’s interior as he built a fiberglass center console that ties into the bottom of the dash. He also smoothed the dashboard and door panels and covered them in white and marble paint to tie it all in. The Alpine head unit was moved from the stock location and placed into the center console, along with the Sound Storm DVD player and Audiobahn 10-inch subwoofers. Visual entertainment comes from a Pyle video monitor, which fills the void in the dash where the radio used to be. The seats have the factory leather, but it was re-stitched with alligator inserts. Finishing it all off with a Colorado Custom steering wheel, wrapped in white leather.

The now customized Chevrolet Avalanche will really bring in attention as Catron exhibits his hard work and ingenuity. The truck will also bring in some potential customers to his shop called Full Armor Customs in Springfield, Missouri.