TJ Thomas knew he liked the sport of minitrucking. With a lowered suspension and custom wheels, he cruised his '95 GMC Sonoma around in style and was, for the most part, content. That was, until he made the trek to Pigeon Forge and the Mini Truckin' Nationals. It all changed from that day forward. Seeing that this was TJ's first project, he had many choices as to which direction to take his truck. Hot rod inspired and billet aluminum seemed just right.
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Starting with the suspension, TJ wanted his truck to sit at the height that would scare road deflectors. Turning to Allon Conthron and Twisted Kustoms in Cullman, Alabama, TJ would accomplish just that. Conthron built a monster notch in the rear frame rails, a custom bridge and one-off flamed air bag mounts. Firestone airbags were installed with Monroe gas shocks to smooth things out. A reversed chrome triangulated 4-link keeps the rear end in place. Up front, DMJ drop spindles were bolted on along with Firestone airbags to get the front to a respectable driving height. The outside of the truck was next on TJ's to-do list. Again TJ called on Conthron along with Billy Reed to handle the task. Door handles, cab lines, 3rd brake light and tailgate were all shaved clean to smooth the Sonoma's exterior. Sir Michael's was called upon for a steel rollpan to finish the smooth rear end. A frenched antenna and Stillen air dam were added, and a Reflections cowl hood installed for that hot rod inspired look. Clear taillights and a billet grille insert finish off exterior modifications. When all body mods were complete, TJ knew a paint scheme that would turn the heads of all who happened to see him would be in order. Billy Reed sprayed the PPG Cyber Green base coat and Allon Conthron went back over it, adding graphics on the hood and tailgate using several PPG colors to set TJ's Sonoma off from the rest. Clear coated and smooth as glass, it was time to make the interior look just as good as the exterior.
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