Chance’s Squarebody Revival

There’s something about a squarebody that just hits different—ask Chance, and he’ll tell you straight up. His love for the classic Chevrolet C10 runs deep—all the way back to his childhood. His dad has owned a 1985 C10 since Chance was a baby, and ever since, the squared-off lines and old-school muscle of that generation have held a permanent place in his heart.

So when the opportunity came up in 2013, Chance finally got his hands on one. It was in decent shape, but there was one glaring problem: a full-blown real flame paint job that was more 2001 car show than timeless classic. “It wasn’t me,” Chance says. “But I saw the potential.”

At the time, Chance was completely new to the custom truck scene. He didn’t know the community, the costs, or where to begin—but he did know what he wanted. Bagged. Low. Clean. But finding someone to take on the job? Nearly impossible—until he stumbled across Phat Phabz on Instagram. That’s where he first connected with Jake McKiddie, the mastermind behind some of the most respected chassis builds in the game.

Jake didn’t hesitate. He took on the build and went to work. The truck got a completely new chassis, custom air suspension, a narrowed rear end, and a raised bed to handle the new stance. The C10 now rides on 22×9-inch wheels up front and massive 24x12s in the rear, giving it that perfect squat without sacrificing drivability.

With the suspension dialed in and the stance just right, Chance kept the truck on the road for about a year before a buddy, Joseph Hargues, talked him into redoing the paint. Joseph, who works at a body shop in Elk City, offered to do the work himself—in his own garage. Naturally, Chance had some doubts.

“I was nervous. This wasn’t a quick respray—it was the full deal,” Chance recalls. But Joseph reassured him, telling him not to worry. On September 19, 2019, the C10 rolled into the garage, and what followed was a slow and steady transformation. Working nights and weekends, Joseph handled nearly every step himself, debating colors with Chance until finally settling on WA5233 Medium Lime—a bold choice that completely changed the vibe of the truck. “It turned out killer,” Chance says, grinning.

With the bodywork finally done after a couple of years, Chance took the C10 to Downtown Auto Body Customs to bring the rest of the build home. While there, Mikey, the owner, helped tie together the finishing touches, including the bumpers, wiring, interior, sound system, and, most importantly, the power plant.

Originally, Chance wanted to drop in an LT4 supercharged engine, but Mikey had other ideas. “He said, ‘Man, we need to keep that raw, American muscle feel,’” Chance recalls. The solution? A 434ci small-block with a big cam—nasty, loud, and full of attitude. “It sounds like it’s supposed to,” Chance says. “Mean.”

Looking back, the journey was long and full of learning curves. It was Chance’s first full build, and starting without knowing anyone in the custom scene made it feel like climbing a mountain. But what he didn’t expect was
how much this truck would bring into his life—friendships, connections, and a new sense of belonging in a passionate community.

“Since building this truck, it has introduced me to the right people,” Chance says. “Now I’ve got friends all over who share the same love for the culture. That’s what makes it worth it.”

From a flamed-out mystery truck to a head-turning, lime green street cruiser with a heart-thumping small-block, Chance’s squarebody is more than just a build—it’s a story of persistence, passion, and finding your people—one wrench turn at a time.

Owner
Chance Frank

• 1982 Chevrolet C10
• Elk City, OK

 Engine & Performance

• Skip White Performance 434 small-block
• Skip White Performance 4L70e
• Holley Sniper EFI
• Sanderson headers and custom exhaust
• Dyno tuned at 608 hp
• Installation by DTAB Customs

Chassis & Suspension

• Phat Phabz custom C10 chassis
• Air Lift Performance Dominator air bags and 3P air management
• Narrowed rear
• Billet front hubs
• Assembled by DTAB Customs
• Powdercoated by Select Coatings

Wheels, Tires & Brakes

• 24-inch Intro billet wheels
• 275/30/24 and 305/35/24 Lexani Tires
• Wilwood 12- and 14-inch rotors with 6-piston calipers
• Wilwood manual master cylinder and prop valve

Body & Paint

• AMD bumpers and grilles
• Delta headlights
• Refreshed paint by Joseph Hargues

Interior & Stereo

• Custom-shaped bench
• Black upholstery by Action Upholstery
• Dakota Digital VHX gauges
• Flaming River column
• 14-inch billet steering wheel
• Stereo by Sound Depth
• Custom hidden box, kick panels, and dash
• Custom-mounted Air Lift controller in ashtray