They started by boxing the frame. Then custom sway bars were fabricated, and the A-arms were narrowed 5/8 inch to accommodate the added hub depth created by the knock-off Mehelich wheels Jim chose to run. An 18-gallon gas tank was fabricated and installed between the frame, and the Griffin cross-flow radiator required two 11-inch SPAL fans to create enough vacuum to flow adequate air. The original six-speed was pulled out when it was found that there wasn't adequate room for three pedals. They substituted a Gear Star Stage IV 700-R4 (although the tranny is a bit of overkill for the ZZ430, Jim assured himself some insurance in case he decides to install a blower) along with a 10-inch, 3,000-rpm stall speed converter. To control the temperature, they used both a B&M oil-to-air radiator and a marine oil cooler to provide liquid-to-liquid heat transfer. Through experience learned with Jim's '40 Ford, they refined the 700-R4 shift control by using an AC Delco kickdown vacuum switch, a Bowtie Overdrive TV cable, their eccentric carb adapter, and a B&M adjustable lockup switch. Allowing adequate exhaust flow are ceramic-coated S&S Headers modified with O2 sensor bungs. The rest of the exhaust system consists of Flowmaster Delta Flow mufflers, Borla tips, and stainless tubing.
Next, it was on to the bodywork. Scott cut the cab back apart to get the doors aligned properly, then fabricated new floorboards before putting it back together. Jim fabricated the instrument cluster with the Classic Instruments gauges canted toward the driver. The Vintage Air A/C evaporator is mounted behind the passenger seat, as Jim wanted to be able to retain both gloveboxes. The fabricated A/C ducting runs forward through the center console, with outlets below the seats and at the top of the console. The front of the bed was shortened 5 inches to accommodate the stretch, while the back of the bed was shortened 7 1/2 inches to satisfy their esthetics. The rolled pan incorporates a hinged license-plate frame that hides a hitch receiver; after all, don't trucks need to be ready for work? After they widened the rear fenders, they found that the running boards had to be widened, and then both ends had to be re-arched to match the fender lines. Scott says that the first shoe that lands on one of these will result in an amputated foot! Lastly, a tonneau cover and tailgate were created for the bed as well.
Scott talked Jim into a PPG tri-stage Brandywine. But Jim felt the need to get away from the heavy metallic that a gold or silver basecoat would have brought into the equation, so Scott did about 20 test panels before they agreed on their chosen basecoat color. Then the translucent Brandywine was modified again with a large amount of extra toner.
Tucson's Eddie Salcido is responsible for the interior. Eddie stitched up the cork-dyed leather interior with a very alluring pattern. He also modified Honda Prelude seats, which, according to Jim, couldn't be more comfortable. In the end, Jim says it best about his truck: "Talk about being a long way from the stereotypical Willys Gasser!"