Trucks are hot right now; C-10’s, F-150’s, Rams, it doesn’t matter what brand you’re looking for because all of them can be found in the performance scene. The only problem is, as these vehicles gain popularity they also start to increase in value. What was once a super-affordable project truck, is now out of reach for the average Joe. The square-body from Chevrolet and GMC are gaining popularity and are well on their way to being the next trend in sport trucks, and they may already be there, unfortunately.

The good news for square-body fans is that this particular style that was built from 1973 to 1987 and is one of the longest runs of any GM body style. This means there are a ton of them out there and you can still pick them up for a pretty reasonable price. The aftermarket is catching on, as well, with companies like RideTech, Wilwood, and Holley Performance Products, you can find nearly anything you need to swap out that tired 305 for an LS. It’s also interesting that none of these small-block powered trucks made over 200 horsepower from the factory. The highest rated power level was in 1986 from the 350 engine that produced a dismal 185 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. Even the big-block Chevrolet engines were only rated for 240 horsepower in the same year.

Don Sommer of Build Biology walks us through this detailed build and gives us some insight on Noha Alexander, owner of Classic Car Studios’ 1986 C10. Packed with an LT4 making well 600 horsepower, this C10 is a far cry from the truck that GM released back in 1986. The LT4 is backed by a T56 six-speed transmission that uses a unique sequential shifter from the gang at S1 Sequential in Australia. This shifter is a work of art and allows for a simple push/pull shifting rather than the standard H-pattern shifters — this means quicker shifts and less of a chance to miss a gear, however, the clutch must still be applied in conjunction with the shifts.

A Ford 9-inch rear end was used for the build, and RideTech suspension was utilized on all for corners of this monster. While the outside might not be flashy, the HRE wheels certainly are. With 20×10’s on the front and 20×12’s on the rear, this truck is sure to hook up in a straight line or doing some road race work.

We love C10’s, especially when they’re LS-swapped, but this one takes the cake. The no-frills exterior appearance would not make you take a second look but when you start to notice all of the subtle details you might begin to wonder. We expect to see more and more built trucks like Noah’s, so if you’re on the market for one, you might want to get it pretty fast. History has shown that the prices will go up and these trucks will be come at a premium.