G - ZERO

An OBS Chevy That Crushes Dreams

CHRIS HAMILTON

THE PHRASE “GROUND ZERO,” ACCORDING TO WEBSTER’S, REFERS TO THE POINT ON THE GROUND DIRECTLY BELOW A NUCLEAR DETONATION THAT MARKS THE POINT OF THE MOST SEVERE DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION. This term can also be used in relation to earthquakes, epidemics and other disasters. But for Franky Hernandez from Mission, Texas, ground zero is where all other truck enthusiasts’ dreams of having the coolest OBS in the country are crushed. Most guys hope for cool air-ride suspension or maybe a turbo-charged SBC, but when your standards are as high as Franky’s, those details are just the beginning.

Starting with a simple plan to build a cool truck to cruise with the family, Franky ended up spending around two years and $50,000 perfecting this project. No corners were cut, and no expenses were spared. An all-new drivetrain, powerplant, leather interior and a fresh coat of paint started off the project with a bang, although the three-link air-ride suspension from The Drop Shop in Mission, Texas, really sets this truck apart. RideTech shocks fill each corner and Air Lift airbags get the truck off the ground. A new set of upper and lower control arms had to be fabricated, but the time was well spent.

TRUCK SPECS

OWNER Franky Hernandez ’93 Chevy C1500 Mission, Texas Ground Zero is our Limit

CHASSIS/ SUSPENSION

• The Drop Shop Customs three-link rear suspension

• Air Lift airbags

• RideTech shocks

• Custom-built upper and lower control arms

ENGINE/ DRIVETRAIN/ PERFORMANCE

• ’08 GM 454ci V-8

• Balanced and blueprinted

• Polished and ported GM heads

• Oliver Rods connecting rods

• Diamond pistons

• Total seal rings

• 9:0 compression ratio

• APR main stud bolts

• Callies crankshaft

• Billet main caps