Xtreme S10
2002 Chevrolet Xtreme S10
Article and photos by Larry Crain
Jonathon Lawrence of Greeneville, Tennessee owns this awesome example of what can be done with a factory stock 2002 Chevrolet Xtreme S10. These factory sport trucks looked pretty cool when they rolled off the assembly line but were capable of being turned into so much more. Case in point is what Jonathon did with his truck by turning it into a truly Xtreme S10.
The body work that has been performed on this truck was handled by several shops and resulted in a flawless body that flows from every angle. No details have been overlooked in bringing this truck up to a whole new level. Starting at the front of the truck are Crystal Clear headlights, Crystal Clear turn signal lens and a Street Scene chrome billet grille. The custom looking hood is a Duraflex WS-6 style ram air hood that fits the Xtreme as if it originally came with it. The rest of the body features smoothed door handles, Street Scene mirrors, billet Chevrolet bowtie 3rd brake light and billet side steps with ball milled Chevrolet bowtie. Xtreme body work includes welded smooth tailgate by Metal Works, recessed 91’ Cadillac Deville taillights by Mr. Bill’s Paint and Body, the super smoothed sheet metal inside the bed by Metal Works and 3B Customs, East Coast Customs 3 step shaved with smooth roll pan, teardrop notch cover and wheel tubs by Metal Works and 3B Customs, one-off compressor stands with Chevrolet bowtie cutout and Chevrolet in script by Welch’s Chop Shop. All of these custom touches are covered in single stage black with red and silver graphics, and the graphics accented with opposing color pinstriped around the outline. This beautiful paint was done by 3B Customs and the graphics were done by Diverse Customs.
The beauty and modifications of this truck are not confined to the exterior but extended in all directions. The chassis has been updated on the rear with a Thorbecke Brothers 5 link that has been powder coated red and black, while the front features Thorbecke Brothers upper and lower tubular control arms, also powder coated red. The front suspension also features Michigan Metal Works no notch tie rods that are powder coated red. This truck features an air ride system that really kicks ass, four SMC ½ nickel plated valves, Slam Specialties RE-6 bags in front and rear, bolt in upper front cups, chrome 5 gallon tank mounted in bed, chrome dual Viair 480 compressors mounted in bed, chrome AVS water traps, 2 - ½ inch and 1 - 3/8 polished stainless hard line run out of the tank through the bed into nylon line and everything controlled with an AccuAir switch speed (front/back/all up/down). The factory wheels couldn’t compare to the set of 22x9.5 Viscera 778 wheels with black inserts that are mounted with Falken285/25/ZR/22 tires. An upgraded brake system was a must for this Chevy, and it now runs Little Shop of Horrors rear disc conversion, Baer decela cross drilled and slotted rotors front and rear, and a 7” Waylayed brake booster completes the stopping package.
The only area on this truck that Jonathon hasn’t gone crazy with yet is the drivetrain, but it is no longer stock either. The 4.3 Vortec is now dressed out with a custom air intake and a whole lot of polished aluminum. The engine compartment has new front inner wheel tubs by Metal Works that make sure nothing rubs when the truck is lowered. The Vortec breathes better thanks to AAA Muffler installing a Flowmaster exhaust featuring a single inlet dual outlet with the turn downs located just in front of the rear end.
The interior of this truck was also taken to the Xtreme with a very custom smoothed and painted interior that is over the top. The factory seats have been covered in two-tone red and black leather with the headrests cut off, the custom carpet is Fire Red along with Xtreme embroidered floor mats and all of this unique upholstery was done by Hal and Suzy’s Upholstery. Other interior upgrades include chrome GMC Envoy door handles, Billet Specialties brake and emergency brake covers. The list of billet trim pieces used inside the cab are lengthy one; dash speaker grille, defrost vent, dash grab handle, headlight control switch, seat levers with ball milled Chevrolet bowtie, one off billet door sill plates with ball milled Chevrolet bowtie, door strikers, 3rd door handle, Chevrolet bowtie rear view mirror, fuse box cover, dash side vents, airbag switch and a billet roof grab handle. The dash features a billet instrument cluster overlay and original sweep needles replaced with Cadillac Escalade needles that are a red needle with chrome center. Other instrumentation upgrades include a Viair 200 p.s.i. gauge and toggle switch for compressors located in the center console. A dual gauge pillar pod is home for an Air Zenith digital air gauge and a boost gauge. Other very unique touches include a barefoot gas pedal cover, a Budweiser beer tap gear shift handle and a Billet Specialties 14 inch rail with painted red accents and black half wrap steering wheel. Where Jonathon went really big on the interior was with the custom sound system which is also pretty Xtreme. The sound system starts out with a Kenwood Excelon double din touch screen radio, 4”x6” Kenwood Excelon speakers in dash, two 6.5” Kenwood Excelon speakers mounted in custom fiberglass housings in each door panel, a Rockford Fosgate 10” p2 and Kenwood Excelon 6”x9” mounted in a custom fiberglass housing in the 3rd door, a Rockford Fosgate 10” p2 and Kenwood Excelon 6”x9” in a custom fiberglass housing in the jump seat location, a Rockford Fosgate 1500 watt amp mounted on the backwall with a custom fiberglass enclosure, and two sets of Kenwood Excelon tweeters with crossovers. All of the awesome custom fiberglass work was done by North Main Audio Customs.
When you step back and look at this truck you have to admit it is one very Xtreme S10. Keep up the work Jonathon, can’t wait to see what your next upgrade on the truck might be, but it’s bound to be wild.
Shops and manufacturers used in the building of this truck.