Article and Photos by Bryan Fross

 

    When Dan Harper of La Mirada, CA. started work on his 1986 Nissan Hardbody,  it had already been through 5 years of  everyday driving. He purchased the truck in 1991 from the original owner after it had been mildly lowered and left relatively unchanged in it's outer appearance.

    Dan started his project right away with subtle changes that would eventually turn this truck into a show winner. The outside of the Hardbody was treated to a tailgate skin after reversing the handle and adding a roll pan with a centered license plate box. Four by four Fenders were also added in the front for extra wheel clearance. It was then sprayed by Starbucks Customs with a 7 color fade and gold pearl.

    The Interior was made comfortable by adding Honda bucket seats, a detachable Grant steering wheel, black and gray tweed on the door panels, and Mercedes carpet. The stereo starts off with an Alpine CD head unit and EQ, a Linear crossover, two Acoustic amplifiers, and Kicker mids and tweeters with two 10 inch Kicker Subwoofers.

    The stock Z24 motor was given a small boost with an added K & N replacement air filter and a Flowmaster exhaust. The valve cover, air cleaner cover and other small parts were then chrome plated for a clean look. The hoses and wires have been either replaced with steel braided units or cleaned up to finish off the engine compartment.

    The suspension has to be the most amazing part of Dan's truck. The Truck lays frame without cutting the center section out of the Zolatone coated bed. The suspension was installed by Devious Customs which includes Firestone airbags, a five gallon tank, and a chrome 4-link. The truck was then laid down on 16 inch Billet Specialties Psycho wheels and 205/40/16 Falken Ziex tires.

After nine years of additions to Dan's Hardbody, he can finally say "I'm done" and start something new. This truck is an overall mild truck but many of the subtle modifications make this truck a sight to see in the Southern California show scene.

   

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