Nick Taylor’s 1979 C10 Sleeper Build

Some builds are flashy. Some are perfect. And then there’s ‘Rufus’—Nick Taylor’s rough-and-ready 1979 Chevy C10 Big 10 that started in a junkyard and ended up a turbocharged pavement-pounder. Built in Davie, Florida, this squarebody isn’t polished for the show field. It’s built to run. And it does—with boost, bite, and no apologies.

Being a full-time firefighter, Nick isn’t the type to stand back while someone else turns wrenches. He handled this build himself over two years, sinking $50K into what’s now one of Florida’s meanest black-patina bruisers. His goal? Simple: “Build it, enjoy it, cruise the country.”

Old School Look, New School Power

Under the hood is a 383ci V-8 stroker built by Ohio Crankshaft. It’s stuffed with Wiseco -15cc pistons, ARP hardware, a forged crank, and a Brian Tooley Racing Stage IV Turbo Cam. Air flows through a Holley Hi-Ram intake with a 92mm throttle body, and a BMF 76/75 turbo sits on a Fahler T4 manifold. Holley’s Terminator X keeps everything in check, while a Mishimoto intercooler chills the boost.

Dirty Dingo mounts and Bowler components help the engine bolt easily to a Tremec TUET11009 5-speed, paired with a Monster SK twin-disc clutch and a Bowler mid-mount shifter. Power flows back to a 12-bolt rearend by Doghouse Customs, loaded with 3.73 gears, an Eaton Truetrac, and Quick Performance axles.

“I wanted to keep it feeling factory,” Nick says. “But I also wanted the tech to be where it counts.”

Strong Bones and Sharp Stance

The factory short bed frame was left untouched, but it’s now riding on a Ridetech coilover system with Eibach springs and Fox shocks. CPP modular spindles handle the front, while Wilwood 6-piston (front) and 4-piston (rear) brakes bring it all to a stop. The steering system is upgraded with a quick-ratio Borgeson box, and everything rolls on 20-inch Halibrand ‘Sprint’ wheels wrapped in Nitto G2 555 rubber.

The stance is clean. The look is mean. And when the turbo spools up, Rufus digs in and rips.

Keepin’ it Classic Inside

Nick stayed true to the truck’s roots with a factory bench seat that is covered in camel tan cloth. A Dakota Digital VHX gauge cluster keeps tabs on the vitals. Tunes come from a Custom Autosounds USA-1 head unit with Bluetooth, Kicker KS speakers, and a Boss mini amp. The Bowler shift handle and RaceQuip bezel add just the right amount of modern muscle.

The stance is clean. The look is mean.  And when the turbo spools up, Rufus digs in and rips.

“I wanted to keep it feeling factory,” Nick says. “But I also wanted the tech to be where it counts.”

From the Streets to the Shows

You’ll catch Rufus hitting events like Solomon’s Beach Bash or the Trucks & Cheeseburgers Picnic, but Nick’s not in it for the trophies. For him, it’s about the build, the road, and the ride.

“This truck taught me patience”, he says. “Take your time. Don’t stress. It’s a process—enjoy it.”

owner

Nick Taylor
1979 Chevrolet C10 Big 10
Davie, Florida
C10 Club Florida

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

383ci V8 Stroker by Ohio Crankshaft
Wiseco pistons
BTR Stage IV cam
Holley Hi-Ram
Sniper EFI
BMF 76/75 turbo
Tremec 5-speed (TUET11009)
Bowler mid shifter
Monster SK twin-disc clutch
12-bolt by Doghouse Customs
3.73 gears
Eaton Truetrac
Quick Performance axles

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

Ridetech coilovers
Eibach springs
Fox shocks

WHEELS & TIRES

20×8.5 and 20×10 Halibrand ‘Sprint’ wheels
Nitto G2 555 tires

BODY & PAINT

Factory Original Black Patina
Mr. Beams lights
Detailing by Daniel Castillo @ Big D Detailing

INTERIOR & STEREO

Factory bench seat
Camel tan cloth upholstery
Dakota Digital VHX gauges
Squarebody Syndicate steering column
Bowler handle
Custom Autosounds USA-1 radio with Bluetooth, Kicker KS speakers, Boss mini amp