Chevy C10 Pickup Gets A Menacing Stance Thanks to the Hoonigans

New wheels, chassis work and an elaborate suspension system improve the look and ride of this classic C10.

Ken Block’s “Hoonigans” have multiple YouTube channels that showcase all sorts of wild rides, but the Hoonigan Project Cars channel recently discussed the relatively simple Chevy C10 shown here. This truck is owned by Hoonigan host Zac Mertens, who has big plans for the classic pickup in the not-so-distant future, but the first major upgrade involves a substantial lowering project that is far more than just shorter springs.

Mertens plans to add big power in the future, so in lowering the C10, he wanted to do everything right, so that it would sit lower while also maintaining ride quality and being able to handle gobs of power. The video above walks us through the painstaking process of slamming this classic Chevy to the ground.

The Introduction

The video begins with Mertens giving us a quick run-down of this classic C10, including some simple upgrades to the stock engine. The team added a Holley EFI kit, Hooker headers and MSD spark plug wires in an effort to improve drivability and output. Also, the previous owner had lowered the truck a bit with springs and drop shackles, but with the goal of the old school Chevy sitting even lower and being able to handle monster power, the Mertens and the Hoonigans plan to revamp the entire suspension system.

After explaining what he already been done to this Chevy C10, we get a quick look at what is planned in terms of suspension and chassis upgrades. The majority of the suspension components come in the form of a Beltech kit that includes springs, shocks and spindles up front with an axle flip kit, a C-notch kit, shocks and leaf springs in the rear. When installed, this kit will drop the front end of the truck by five inches while the rear end drops by seven inches. The suspension upgrade also includes front and rear sway bars that will help this classic handle the corners like a modern truck.

Finally, with the rear end ripped apart, the team will install a Currie 9-inch rear differential that is outfitted with Wilwood four-piston brake calipers.

Rear End Build

The project starts out back, with the bed of the classic Chevy truck being removed to allow easy access to the rear suspension. Since the entire suspension and differential are being replaced, the team essentially strips the area under the bed down to the bare frame, allowing them to cut the C-notches to make room for the new suspension to move.

While the frame was being cut and modified, the Currie rear differential was fitted with the Wilwood brakes and once the C-notch components were in place, the new rear end was bolted into place.

With the new rear end, the new springs, shocks and rear sway bar were installed, leaving the differential loose for proper tightening with all four wheels on the ground and the suspension loaded.

Front End Build

Once the rear end work was all-but-tightened up, the team turned to the front end, removing the old shocks, springs and spindles. After installing new ball joints and tie rod ends, the drop spindles, springs and shocks were installed and this step of the project was nearly complete.

The final steps includes bolting up the 20-inch Detroit Steel wheels wrapped in low profile rubber and tightening down all of the chassis and suspension fasteners with the wheels on the truck and the tires on the ground.

Crank up your speakers and enjoy!

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com