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The Single-Cab That Ford Should’ve Built

MOST custom builds start with a vision. This one started with a three-hour road trip. Tim Gilbert was cruising his ’86 Toyota mini-truck when a slammed 2017 Nissan Titan eased past in full modern comfort—A/C humming, cruise control set, and the airbags doing their thing. Tim couldn’t shake the idea: what if you could lay out, ride cross-country, and still have all the creature comforts of a new truck? That spark eventually became Death Punch—a 2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty reimagined into the single-cab, short-bed, fully laid-out show truck Ford doesn’t sell but absolutely should.

Because Ford never offered this configuration, Tim (with his wife’s blessing—a key to any major build) teamed up with Jimmy’s Rod & Customs to make it real. Jimmy pulled crew-cab chassis measurements from a previous project, shortened everything in CAD, and then fabricated an all-new plate-steel frame from scratch. The new chassis was specifically engineered to lay flat without ruining the driving dynamics that make a modern Super Duty such an easy long-haul machine.

Underneath, Tim runs an Accuair e-Level management system with Air Lift Dominator airbags, four Viair 485 compressors, Bilstein shocks, and a custom A-arm front suspension to replace the factory I-beam setup. Out back, a 4-link paired with a Watt’s link keeps the axle centered through the whole drop. The factory rear housing was narrowed to tuck Intro El Paso 8-lug wheels (26x9s up front and 26x10s in the rear) neatly under the bed once the bags air out. Tim also had Overkill Customs in Longwood, Florida, add some UV rock lights aimed at the shocker yellow wheels for a dramatic color pop!

The name, Death Punch, nods to Tim’s favorite band and continues a pattern that includes his ’86 Toyota, Static X, a truck with its own legacy, which also earned a Street Trucks feature.

Power stays true to the Blue Oval. The truck uses Ford’s 7.3L Godzilla gas V8 with a custom cold-air intake built by Jimmy, AFE headers, and dual Borla ATAK mufflers tied into a stainless X-pipe. The intake was powdercoated Shocker Yellow to match the wheels because details matter, and VMP later handled the tuning to keep the modern electronics happy. Despite being a full showpiece, Tim’s Ford is still ready to do truck things. The hidden hitch behind the license plate patiently awaits towing duties later this year.

Inside, the theme is modern comfort with mild flex. Katzkin leather seat covers by Dickie’s Upholstery are present, along with carbon-fiber accents, an OC Auto Carpet kit, and a Raptor steering wheel. The only thing still on Tim’s to-do list is a stereo upgrade.

Outside, the truck wears its original Oxford White paint, cleaned up and color-matched, and the front bumper is sectioned so the front bumper can lay flat without acting like a snowplow. When final assembly approached, the frame and rear end were finished in a subtle hammered green tint, while the bolt-on suspension parts received a brighter green that ties into the yellow of the wheels.

Where the Toyota was nostalgic and raw, the F-250 represents the dream fully realized: comfortable, modern, reliable, and capable of crossing state lines without a sore back.

The name, Death Punch, nods to Tim’s favorite band and continues a pattern that includes his ’86 Toyota, Static X, a truck with its own legacy, which also earned a Street Trucks feature. Where the Toyota was nostalgic and raw, the F-250 represents the dream fully realized: comfortable, modern, reliable, and capable of crossing state lines without a sore back.

Six months of fabrication and a decade of inspiration later, Tim sums it up the best way possible: “This is the truck Ford should’ve built.” It’s hard to argue with that.