Truck:
'89 Chevrolet
Ex-cab, longbed

Owner:
Kurt Abts

Location:
Birmingham, AL

This colorful truck blends sport truck style with real world functionality. Owning a sport truck is often a compromise between utility, style, and performance. Kurt Abts of Burmingham, Alabama wanted it all. He found out through years of experience and countless hours of work, you really can have your cake and eat it too.

Perhaps the most drastic change to this truck was its altitude adjustment. The truck was brought down close to the ground via a 5/8 slam. To get that low, Kurt added 3-inch lower control arms and 2-inch drop springs up front for the 5-inch nose-dive. Out back, 2-inch lowering shackles were added along with dropped leaf springs to attain an 8-inch drop. In the rear, a custom C-notch and reinforcement was added to the frame for added axle clearance. Doetsch Tech Nitro Slammer shocks were mounted using custom shock mounts for extended travel. To keep the rear-end off the frame with the giant drop, Kurt added a pair of Hellwig airbags. Polyeurethane bushings keep the ride firm and performance on-track. Wheels and tires are 16-inch Budnik Switchblades measuring 7-inches wide in front and 10-inches wide at the rear, wearing 245/50 and 275/50 BFG Comp TA VR4's respectively. Polished stainless steel dust shields were added behind the wheels for added style and shine.

The burgundy and orange mica paint work well together to produce an awesome effect. Subtle stripes set the two colors apart.
The paint scheme is a custom two tone which sets this truck apart from everything else on the road. The paint is burgundy over orange mica with 4 smaller stripes of green, blue, magenta, and silver dividing the two tone. Ghost stripes were added in the orange mica for an added effect. The tailgate handle was flipped inside the bed and the back side of the truck was welded smooth. The stake pockets have been smoothed and a Checkmate fiberglass flush-fit tonneau was installed.
Polished aluminum pieces accent the dash, doors, and pedals. The Budnik split grip steering wheel adds the finishing touch with a matching leather cover and style to match the wheels.
The interior includes 1994 bucket seats along with sculpted tweed doors, headliner and console. Polished billet is everywhere inside including the dash, coat hooks, heater box, door sills, door jams, seat risers and custom polished billet door pulls, which are one of a kind pieces.

The sound system consists of a Pioneer Premier DSP head with CD and a 12 disc Pioneer Premier changer with 1 remote control to work everything. Three JL 10 W6's are hidden in a custom-covered fiberglass enclosure under the rear seat. Rockford Fosgate 500M and 4080's are linked in a smooth, flush-fit amp rack behind the rear seat. Two Fosgate 5-1/4's are in each door with 1-inch tweeters and two 4-inch Fosgate Audiofiles in the dash with two 1-inch tweeters in the dash as well. Fosgates are also in the stock rear pillars. To protect the sound investment, a Prestige alarm keeps everything safe.

The engine is a 350 V8 with performance enhancements including a Hypertech Stage II chip, 160 degree thermostat, K&N air filter, and Jacobs wires and cap. Exhaust gasses are channeled through JBA stainless steel shorty headers to a high-flow converter. The exhaust exists through a Flowmaster muffler. Further enhancements to the engine compartment were made with polished parts in the form of chrome valve covers, compressor cover, fan and nose shroud covers, and a polished air cleaner.
A roll pan was added to smooth out the bottom, and the class three receiver hitch is hidden behind a flip-up license plate to allow this truck to tow as well as show.
With the truck finally complete, Kurt found that he has run into a sticky situation. He has twins on the way, and it looks like the truck must go! Kurt discovered that although you can have a truck that does it all, you can't always have your sport truck and your family. If you have any questions about the truck, you can contact Kurt by email.
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