A Proper Reintroduction

MARRIAGE isn’t easy, but it’s a whole lot more enjoyable when your partner shares common interests. This is uniquely important when it comes to custom truck building. These vehicles require lots of time and understanding, and they tend to suck checking and savings accounts dry over the long run, but there’s no better feeling than cruising a finished project to show—especially when you can do it as a couple.

Scott and Janelise Crisafi are a case study of the positive effects mini-truckin’ can have in a husband/wife relationship. Janelise enjoyed riding along with Scott to as many truck shows as she could make it to, but she felt it was time for her to build a truck of her own. “After a while, it just wasn’t the same watching him do all these cool things with his truck and me not having one,” she says. “Luckily, he was just as excited about me getting one as I was.”

Like a lot of trucks in the scene, it started off as a fun daily driver project that quickly escalated into something much more involved than the average cruiser.

Scott already had his 1988 Mazda B2200 all dialed in. Like a lot of trucks in the scene, it started off as a fun daily driver project that quickly escalated into something much more involved than the average cruiser. Scott’s Mazda has the custom paint, complete with killer graphics. It’s also equipped with a 2002 LS power plant with all the extras, a well-built air-ride system with 18-inch Raceline wheels, and an impressive interior with a booming sound system to top it all off.

Even though Janelise loves everything about Scott’s mini pickup, she wanted something just a little bit different for herself. The 1997 Geo Tracker she picked out ended up being a perfect fit for what she had envisioned. She was happy enough leaving the factory Geo 4-banger in place, but she did recruit Scott to clean up the engine bay with some bodywork and paint. The Tracker was originally bagged by Kyle Richardson at Cashed Out Customs, but Scott spent time upgrading it with an Accuair e-Level+ system like the one he has on his ride.

Himarc Automotive was soon hired to perform all the necessary exterior bodywork, along with some custom tricks, to prep the Geo’s surface for Oxford White with Pink Pearl paint. To further transform the looks of her Tracker, Janelise selected a set of 20-inch Raceline wheels to mount to it, as well as the most recognizable additions to her creation—a custom sport hardtop from Rally Tops. “The combination of the wheels and the top makes my truck look like a Hot Wheels car,” she exclaims. Of course, the interior was soon decked out with fresh upholstery and other amenities to complete the project.

So let’s clear the air—yes, you have seen these two trucks in a previous issue of Street Trucks. Every now and then we encounter editorial mishaps, which are unfortunate happenings in the world of print publishing. While we do have a blast covering the custom truck community, we are serious about representing it accurately. Scott and Janelise deserved to have their story told correctly, especially since it serves as an inspiration for couples who share a passion for this lifestyle. Building trucks together may not be cheaper than couples therapy, but it’s a heck of a lot more fun! Cheers to the Crisafis! (Yes, they are still proud members of Negative Camber!)

TRUCK SPECS

“Homewrecker”

Engine & Drivetrain

• 2002 Chevy V-8 LS
• Built by Pig’s Performance LLC, St. Cloud, FL
• Engine swap and assembly by Tim Haywood
• Custom motor mounts
• Hooker headers
• Holley mid-mount system and Sniper intake
• Griffin radiator
• Comp Big Mutha Thumper cam
• Custom 2.5-inch exhaust system
• Borla X muffler
• 2002 4L60E by Earl’s Quality Transmission, New Smyrna Beach, FL

Chassis & Suspension

• Factory Mazda frame
• Wishbone 3-link
• KYB shocks
• Control arms modified to fit air-ride
• Suspension modifications by James Graham at Jimmy’s Rod & Custom
• Swapped to power steering
• Accuair e-Level+ sensors and controller installed by Tim Haywood
• Four black Viair 444 compressors

Wheels, Tires & Brakes

• 18×8 Raceline Deceptive wheels
• 215/35/18 tires
• Wilwood 6-piston calipers

Body & Paint

• Hydro Blue paint by Doug Morin and Brian Prather, Deltona, FL
• California-style graphics by Feltham Fab
• Phantom grille
• LED headlights
• Ford Courier taillights
• Mazda B2600 hood

Interior

• Factory bench seat covered in gray carbon fiber and black vinyl
• Upholstery by Ada Stahlman, Sorrento, FL
• Dakota Digital VXH gauges
• Lokar 8-inch shifter
• LED cup holders
• Alpine stereo
• Memphis Audio 10-inch sub and 300-watt class-D amp
• Kicker mids and highs

TRUCK SPECS

“Topless 2”

Engine & Drivetrain

• Factory 4-cylinder 1.6L
• Paint and bodywork in engine bay by Scott Crisafi

Chassis & Suspension

• Frame C-notch
• Raised strut towers
• Originally bagged by Cashed Out Customs (Kyle Richardson)
• Accuair e-Level+ installed/wired by Scott Crisafi

Wheels & Tires

• 20×7 Raceline Charger wheels
• 235/35/20 tires

Body & Paint

• Oxford White with Pink Pearl paint
• Paint by Himarc Automotive LLC, New Smyrna Beach, FL
• Shaved marker lights, tailgate, and gas door
• Rear tubbed
• Topless 2 billet logo on the grille
• Rally Tops pickup cover with Targa Top
• Underglow lighting

Interior

• Factory bucket seats covered in Chevron pattern rose gold vinyl
• Upholstery by Indiana Seams (Jess Stambaugh)
• Center console built by Explicit Customs, West Melbourne, FL
• Floor mats, rear interior panels, and visors by J&M Wraps and Upholstery