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Subtle Yet Savage

Understated Style Meets Brutal Performance in This 1994 Chevy ½ Ton Pro Touring Build

This 1994 Chevy ½ Ton isn’t just another slammed truck built to win trophies—it’s got a job to do, and it’s built to do it right. Originally started over a decade ago as a hauler for café racers, this single cab, short bed rig morphed into a legit Pro Touring machine. But here’s the twist: the builder didn’t want anything flashy. This truck’s about subtlety, where the real magic reveals itself the closer you get. Every panel, every mod, it’s all dialed in so nothing steals the show—but together, it’s something you won’t forget.

Author

Picture of Jamie Dent

Jamie Dent

Photography by Thomas Powers

Old-School Meets Modern Cool

Take a walk around this beast, and the first thing you’ll notice is what isn’t screaming for attention. Look closer. That grille? It’s a heavily modified 1968-72 GMC unit, tucked in to fit the narrower front end. Around back, the tailgate’s got a grafted-in GMC emblem from the same era. Every piece is thoughtfully tweaked, not to dominate, but to tie everything together in a way that feels natural and unforced.

The Heart of the Beast

Let’s talk power. Under the hood is an L92 engine stroked to a monster 416 cubic inches, but here’s where things get interesting—it’s been shoved back 14 inches for better balance. That means this truck is seriously set up to handle. It’s got LS3 heads, a cam with 603/609 lift, and 58-pound injectors. A FAST fuel injection system feeds the beast through a 102mm throttle body. Traction control? Yep, sensors on the driveline make sure this thing hooks when you stomp on it. Everything is controlled by an XFI 2.0 ECU and a standalone XIM ignition system, because why not go all out?

Power meets pavement through a 700R4 transmission stuffed with billet internals, and you’ve got custom ceramic-coated MagnaFlow headers singing out of the exhaust.

Built to Take It

The attention to detail didn’t stop at the motor. This truck’s been reworked to handle the torque, the turns, and the abuse. The cab and frame are reinforced for extra rigidity, and the front suspension? Completely custom control arms and QA1 coil-overs on all four corners. The rear gets a 4-link setup and a Ford 9-inch with 4.10 gears, so you know this thing will tear up any back road or strip.

Stopping power? Check. Baer brakes on all four corners with 6-piston calipers up front mean you’ll stop as quick as you go. And it rolls on Forgeline wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Stripped Down and Clean

Inside, it’s just as serious. Forget creature comforts—this is a truck that means business. Custom Auto Meter gauges keep you informed, Crow five-point harnesses hold you tight, and a Flaming River steering wheel connects you to the road. Push-button start, LED headlights, taillights, and running lights keep the electronics modern, but that’s about as cushy as it gets.

It’s got Vintage Air for heat and A/C, but there’s no windshield wipers or emergency brake here. If you’re driving this truck, you better be committed.

Functional, Not Just Flash

The bed of this truck isn’t just for looks, either. It’s been fully fabricated in aluminum, with the middle rail designed to hold a motorcycle like it was always meant to be there. And if you ever need to haul a bike, the rear is already prepped for airbag suspension to handle the extra weight.

Ring Brothers accents like the carbon billet mirrors and remote charging port add a touch of class, but don’t take away from the fact that this is still a real-deal hauler.

Bottom Line

This 1994 Chevy ½ Ton Pro Touring RestoMod is more than just another pretty truck. It’s subtle, sneaky, and brutally effective—built to haul café racers, burn rubber, and carve corners. Over $140k went into fabrication, but what you’re looking at is a labor of love built for the open road. Whether you catch it on a cruise or up close in a parking lot, it’s one of those trucks that gets better the longer you look.

Built to go, built to handle, and built to last. What more do you need?

We hear that Matt is ready to move on to his next project and this truck will soon be on it’s way to auction. If you’re interested, call Matt Ludwick at (818) 726-9016.

MOds List

  • L92 416 CI moved back approximately 14 inches for better center balance on the vehicle.  6.2 liter/58 Reluctor/46 lbs Injectors/LS3 Heads ported/603-609 Cam Lift/237-242 at 50 duration for the cams/complete motor balanced.
  • A FAST fuel injection system is used with a 102mm throttle body, traction control enabled with sensor on the driveline.  XFI 2.0 ECU w/Intelligent Control/Standalone XIM Ignition Control Module.
  • 700R4 Transmission with billet internals is mated to the motor
  • Custom Ceramic coated Magna Flow headers and exhaust
  • Remote trans cooler and engine oil cooler
  • The battery has been moved to the rear of the vehicle
  • Flaming River Race Version Rack n Pinon
  • Custom designed Auto Meter gauges
  • The cab and frame have been elegantly reinforced for rigidity as well as enhanced safety
  • Baer brakes on all four corners with 6 piston Calipers in the front
  • The front-end suspension incorporate one off designed control arms
  • QA1 coil over adjustable suspension on all four corners
  • Flaming River steering wheel, and column with push button start
  • LED Headlights, taillights and running lights
  • 4 Link rear suspension
  • Ford 9” rear end with 4:10 gearing
  • ARP Fasteners throughout
  • Custom seats with Crow Five Point Harness
  • Custom door panels inside the cab
  • Forgeline wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires on all four corners
  • Ring Brothers remote battery charging port in the bed of the truck and carbon billet mirrors on the doors.
  • Vintage Air air conditioning and heat retro billet vents
  • The entire bed of the truck has been fabricated in aluminum with the exception for the middle rail which was designed to hold a motorcycle in the bed 
  • Mounts for suspension air bags are fabricated into the rear for future motorcycle weight
  • All new glass throughout
  • Interior has been completely tined in aluminum
  • No windshield wipers
  • No emergency brake
  • Over $140k in Fabrication Costs
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