Article and Photos by
Bryan Fross
   Building a custom truck that shows your personal style is easy. Building a custom truck to your style after purchasing it from someone else that has customized it, is much more difficult. Damion Santiago purchased this 1997 Chevy S-10 three years ago when he lived in Louisiana. The previous owner, Troy Billiot, had started to build an impressive truck. It already had a few of the modifications done to it that it still possesses today. It was on the ground with Firestone airbags, 3-inch Belltech drop-spindles, and a 3-1/2-inch body drop. The door handles, taillights, and antenna were shaved off. The antenna found a new home in the passenger side rear pillar in a custom frenched-in tube. It also had the grey tweed interior with tribal foam designs under the material and the 40x55 Street Beat ragtop.

   With the help of friends from his car club Envious Styles, Damion started re-working the suspension. They took out the air lines, valves, and air bags in exchange for all new equipment and 3/8-inch stainless custom tribal bent hard air lines. The compressors chosen were two ViAir 450's and the valves are Parker Skinner OD 3/8-inch ID 5/8-inch gold valves. Two 5-gallon air tanks were installed under the bed as well.

   Some changes were definitely needed when it comes to the outside of Damion's new ride. The old Cal View side mirrors went in the dumpster. In their place, he used a set of tribal arm Harley funhouse billet mirrors from Aeromach Manufacturing Inc. The paint came next in line with the help of Scott Maronge Jr. Damion used the tribal design from the mirror arm to sketch out a scheme for the sides of the truck. Together with Scott, they laid down the bright Honda silver paint in the design Damion drew up. The factory Chevy fairway green was then sprayed over the entire truck for a fresh better than new look. With the paint still lacking something, Matt Landry of Modco Custom Painting came down to airbrush inside the tribal design. The wheels were replaced with a set 18-inch Billet Specialties Spyder II with chrome brake dust covers. After a small mishap at 50 mph with the stock hood latch, the hood and windshield had to be replaced. A Cervini’s 3-inch cowl induction hood was bolted on and Damion decided to add a phantom billet grille as well.

   Moving into the cab, Damion wanted to make it better looking and cleaner overall for a full show quality ride. The rear view mirror was replaced by a Trenz Criss Cross rear view mirror and the switchbox was custom built by Damion using a standard Playstation 2 controller and some tricky fiberglass work. The steering wheel also had to go in the trash but it was replaced by a Billet Accessories Direct tribal wheel with adapter and horn button. The custom PS-2 controller and other interior pieces were then painted with fairway green to match the exterior. The bed was in need of major restyling. Damion and his wife came up with an idea to make it clean, custom, and match the other aspects of the truck. With woodwork help from Cliff Hinkle and fiberglass work from Keith Underdown the idea was designed and implemented. The stereo system consists of a JVC head unit, Audiobahn A2150 high current amplifier powering a 12-inch AW1205Q Ultra Excursion Sub. An Audiobahn A4600e amplifier powers his Diamond Audio mids and highs with a Audiobahn ACAP 1farad capacitor. The system wiring was provided by Stinger Audio and included fuse boxes, battery terminals, and distribution boxes. Damion also added a Optima Yellow top battery that he painted to match and a high current 180 amp alternator for more power.

   The engine bay finally became a major part of Damion's re-working of his truck. The air filter was replaced with an R-active cone filter mounted to his custom chopped and painted air intake system. Cool Flex hoses helped Damion with his project and provided upper and lower radiator hoses. With help from Billet and Acrylic Fantasies, Damion added billet caps and covers to everything he could replace. The engine compartment was thoroughly cleaned and anything that could be removed was painted to match. A couple detailing touches were done by Damion including custom made tribal arms he welded to the radiator cover and 1997 US Dimes he attached dead center of each horn.

   Damion would like to thank Troy Billiot, Scott Maronge Jr, Matt Landry from modcocustompainting.com, and a Special Thanks to his wife Heidi.

Model: Rachael Oliver

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