Does this ring a bell? "Honey, you're obsessed." Jim Bayne thanks his wife Melinda for having patience and still loving him after building this $50,000-plus daily driver and shop truck. Obsessed? That's putting it mildly.
As the owner and operator of Killer Ridez in Seagoville, Texas, Jim has the unique ability to foresee a truck's future, and with his contacts and resources, he can see that image to fruition. For this and several other reasons, Killer Ridez builds slick trucks and rods that leave others envious. When it came time to replace the damaged rear bumper on the '95 Chevy C3500, the gears began turning and the maniacal voices started whispering sweet nothings into Jim's ears. After the Sir Michaels roll pan was welded in place, Jim threw caution to the wind and decided not to stop there.
Rolled into the shop at Killer Ridez, the dualie lost its front clip, handles, antenna, stake pockets, and tailgate handle. With the front end vacant, the crew at Killer Ridez installed an '00 Escalade grille, hood, fenders, and headlights, and a '99 GMC bumper. With the addition of a smooth cowl and a CheckMate lid, the Crew Cab was taped off and parked in the paint booth. Diamont Victory Red, Black, and custom-mixed Blue now covers the large canvas of the truck with special pinstriping by Dirty of Dallas. Looking closely into the blue paint will yield a host of airbrushed skulls ranging from happy-looking to not-so-happy-looking once-alive beings. With the paint and body complete, Jim focused on the truck's altitude.
With several different suspension setups applied to the truck at different intervals, Jim opted to stop the madness and slam the shop hauler once and for all. After contacting Ekstensive Metalworks for a set of Firestone 2800 airbags for the front and a two-link with Slam Specialties 'bags for the rear, the Crew Cab had a whole new stance. Combine that with 1/2-inch GC valves and a custom gooseneck hitch, and the dualie was both good-looking and functional. Tucking the 70-series rubber was as attractive as stock hubcaps, so Jim called over to Brentz Wheels for a set of 19-inch wheels. Wrapped in Pirelli rubber, the new 19x6.75-inch wheels make the truck turn heads at every show.
Powering the dualie to each stop along the show schedule is the factory 6.5L turbodiesel aided by a K&N air filter and a Flowmaster exhaust. Two Optima Red Top batteries keep the Bow Tie firing up every time. Opening the four doors reveals a bevy of front to back interior goodies. Now Victory Red, the dash bezel, center console, and door trim were painted to match the exterior. Katzkin supplied red and black ostrich-leather seat covers, and Audio Innovations installed two 12-inch Audiobahn subs behind the rear seat. Kenwood amps power the subs and highs, and for video entertainment, a Pyle DVD player and Kenwood 7-inch head unit keep movies on tap. Controlling where the 1-ton hauler goes is a full-billet Colorado Custom flame steering wheel. Vitals are taken care of by Auto Meter gauges mounted in an A-pillar pod, and the Trenz billet accessories add some extra bling to the red and black interior.
Accepting trophies for his shop truck has been fun for Jim because he still uses the truck to tow and haul when necessary. Up next? Who knows? But one thing is certain, we're looking forward to seeing the future shop hauler.