A Long Term Project That Was Worth the Wait

The ‘86 Chevy S-10 you are looking at on these pages almost never happened. Nearly completely forgotten by its owner, Chris Dosouto of Victoria, BC, Canada, the truck had seen better days and was now in need of lots of work. 

Chris originally got the truck while still in high school back in 1998 and started customizing it way back when. But as is often the case, the project got to a certain point and was then stored away for an undetermined amount of time. Meanwhile, the rest of Chris’ life moved on with new responsibilities, a new career, and before Chris even realized it, the ol’ S-10 was out of sight and out of mind.

As the years went on, Chris gradually started thinking about his old truck again, and believe it or not, Chris’ truck sat for more than 20 years before he decided it was time to finally get back to work on it. But what to do? Some of the original ideas Chris had for his truck way back when were, admittedly, somewhat dated by now, but he didn’t want to totally abandon his original intentions for his S-10.

KISS THE SKY

After lots of thought, a blueprint was drawn up. Chris’ plan would be to give the truck that late ’90s/early 2000s flair he was after the first time around, but updated wherever it made sense. That included adding an LS swap, as well as super-sizing his dream wheels, a set of Boyds that he had wanted when he first got the truck in high school.

We have to say, as amazing as the original Gotcha IIs looked in their original, smaller 15-17-inch sizes, the new larger sizes just look oh-so-right with their slightly modified design—especially when they’re tucking hard in the fenderwells. With carefully planned-out dimensions of 22×8.5 and 22×9 in staggered offsets, the Hot Rods by Boyd Gotcha II wheels fit perfectly and still offer an impressive amount of lip, especially for having an uncut rear axle housing!

Chris handled the body drop himself, cutting the frame down underneath the cab and boxing everything in to keep the factory floor and maintain maximum headroom. A custom 4-link keeps the rearend in place out back, while ThorBros upper and lower control arms were bolted on up front, along with a Little Shop Mfg. no-toe steering kit. Wait, ThorBros had control arms?

The S-10 has been to shows throughout Canada and the US, and Chris drives it as often as the weather allows.    

And since the air-ride world has, for the most part, moved well beyond manual paddle valves and overworked Thomas 315 compressors, Chris knew that he had to go new school for the air-ride components. Air Lift Dominator airbags went onto all four corners, with an AVS EVOLVE manifold, Dakota Digital sensors/gauge, and twin Viair 485c compressors to pump up the jam. The jam, in this case, happens to be Chris’ S-10.

With the suspension finally buttoned up, the truck was delivered to Adam Edborg at Metalcraft Auto Restorations, LTD., where the truck received a lot of love in the form of a completely shaved cab and bed, a Cal combo to seal up the rear of the bed, and Cadillac taillights. Inside the bed, Adam used his problem-solving skills to build a custom bed floor, including a motorized hatch at the front of the bed, which is opened via a convenient key fob.

BLOWING MY MIND!

Once every square inch of the truck had been gone over and sprayed with primer, Adam applied a generous amount of Axalta’s Plum Crazy purple to the truck, resulting in one of the most mesmerizing single-color paintjobs we’ve seen in a while! With the paint cured, cut, and buffed, the truck headed off to Brad at Plan B Hotrods for assembly of the 5.3L LS, which was set up for maximum ground and hood clearance with a Holley low-profile oil pan and Sniper intake manifold.

It stands as a symbol of the power of dreams, proving that with patience, dedication, and the support of loved ones, even the most postponed dreams can be brought to life.    

The final piece of the decades-long puzzle was a trip to Styles Upholstery, where the interior of the S-10 was completely transformed with custom touches top to bottom, including brown Italian leather upholstery throughout. The crowning touch was the vintage Colorado Custom Hancock billet steering wheel, which perfectly bridged the gap between old and new.

Now that the truck was done, it was time to enjoy it—and Chris wasted no time in doing so! The S-10 has been to shows throughout Canada and the US, and Chris drives it as often as the weather allows. Chris’ completed truck has become a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering passion that can overcome any obstacle. It stands as a symbol of the power of dreams, proving that with patience, dedication, and the support of loved ones, even the most postponed dreams can be brought to life.

 Owner 

Chris Dosouto

Victoria, BC, Canada
1986 Chevy S-10
Aftermath Canada

Chassis & Suspension

Work performed by owner and Metalcraft Auto Restorations
Custom center frame section for stock floor body drop
Frame smoothed and boxed
Step notch
Frame painted Mercedes gray with Tropical Glitz metal flake
Custom 4-link
ThorBros upper and lower control arms painted Plum Crazy
Air Lift Performance Dominator 2600 airbags front and rear
QA1 shocks front and rear
AVS EVOLVE 3/8-inch air-ride manifold
Dakota Digital air pressure sensors
Dual Viair 485c air compressors
Custom transmission crossmember
Little Shop Mfg upgraded front brake kit
Little Shop Mfg rear disc brake conversion
Wilwood master cylinder
Aluminum fuel cell

Wheels & Tires

22×8.5 and 22×9 HRBB Gotcha II billet wheels
225/30R22 Fullway HP tires

Engine & Drivetrain

Work performed by Brad at Plan B Hotrods
2011 GM 5.3L LS engine
American Autowire wiring harness
Holley Sniper intake manifold
Holley Sniper EFI system
Holley Terminator X standalone engine management
Holley front engine drive setup
Holley low profile oil pan
Patriot headers
Stainless X-pipe exhaust with dual Borla mufflers
Built 4L60E transmission with shift kit, Corvette servos

Body & Paint

Work performed by Adam Egborg at Metalcraft Auto Restorations LTD
Shaved door handles, mirrors, cowl, fuel door, and front bumper
Custom license plate box welded into front bumper
“Cal Combo” molded in to replace tailgate and roll pan
Cadillac taillights
Custom bed floor with motorized access panel controlled by key fob
Axalta Plum Crazy Metallic purple paint
Bed moved forward to close gap
Phantom grille
Legacy sliding rag top
Custom rear window with license plate box

Interior & Stereo

Work performed by Styles Upholstery
TMI Classic low-back seats
Brown Italian leather upholstery
Billet steering column
Colorado Custom Hancock billet steering wheel
Dakota Digital gauges
Lokar shifter
Lokar door handles
Power windows
Billet trim pieces
Push-button start
Custom center console for gauges and Holley screen