Sometimes in life we intend to do one thing, but then end up doing another. In the case of this particular Silverado you see before your eyes, it would fit into that category. See, originally the owner, Ron Hecht, had bought this 2000 Silverado with the full intentions of making it a tow pig for his other custom ride, a Chevy S-10 Blazer, but it didn't quite work out that way. That is, after reading a few custom truck magazines and attending a few auto shows, that little voice in the back of Ron's mind talked him into making his full-size rig for show, instead of tow which is fitting since Ron comes from Missouri, the "Show Me State." Yeah, if we could personify that voice that was in Ron's head, as well as the head of most other custom auto enthusiasts, we would say it is a guy wearing chrome wrap arounds and a t-shirt that says: "cut your ride sissy!"

For starters, Ron wanted his truck to have the right stance. Given the tough competition on the show circuit now days, Air Ride is the only way to fly and Ron decided to buy a ticket! The adjustable suspension is composed of the Air Ride Shockwave system and DJM upper and lower control arms up front. Out back, the suspension is composed of the Air Ride Air Bar system with four link setup. This gives the truck around 10 inches of drop, and at the same time, keeps the articulation of the suspension components happening, making for an ultra sweet ride.

Going for the "Hot Rod" look, Ron, bolted on a set of Colorado Customs 20 inch wheels under the nose and 22 inch rims out back with Pirelli P-Zero 255/35/20 and 295/30/22 rubber providing the traction, respectively. According to Ron, the Silverado rides like a Caddy considering the larger diameter wheels and the low profile rubber.

Additional modifications to this truck include exterior, interior, and performance modifications. Here's what you can find bolted on Ron's "radical rado": a Hypertech Power Program chip, which works in conjunction with the K&N cold air intake and the Flowmaster custom exhaust, assists the engine in breathing better and shifting with more authority.

The color matched SnugTop low profile lid covers the carpeted bed while providing a seamless look for Ron's Silverado. The stock hood was swapped out for a more aggressive Chevy HD hood and the stock plastic grille and bowtie was switched for a billet grille and billet bowtie insert, respectively. Outback, the tailgate handle was flipped to the inside of the bed with a Sir Micheals' flip kit and the stock rear bumper was scrapped for a Sir Micheals' roll pan to provide a cleaner look for the rear of the truck. The "Dumbo Ear" mirrors were trashed for a set of Street Scene sport mirrors and the Ventshade window visors and front bumper were painted to match the exterior of the truck.

Speaking of paint, the cool thing about Ron's truck is the trick custom Swiss Cheese flames that was laid out by Taylor's House of Color in Louisville, Kentucky. The flames traverse the front and sides of the truck and appear again on the tailgate, bed topper, and side view mirrors. Complementing the flames is a two tone paint job near the base of the body which wraps around the truck in its entirety. Finishing off the exterior modifications, Ron swapped out the Silverado's stock lighting for HID headlights, carbon fiber euro tails, and clear corner lenses.

Moving into the cockpit, it is obvious that Ron kept personal comfort and style in mind. Ron tossed the keys to Hi-tec Auto Trim, of Columbia, Illinois, who installed orange leather inserts in the stock leather seating and door panels with a stitched-in flame design. Also adding to the aesthetic appeal of the interior, is a white face gauge surrounded by a platinum trim kit. Completing the interior modifications is an entertainment system, installed by Regan Swan of JCS Audio, consisting of a Pioneer DVD seven inch screen in dash receiver which is tied to a MTX 900 watt amplifier that gives two ten inch MTX Subs much thumpin' prowess!

It is almost hard to believe this truck's initial job was that of a tow pig. Isn't it funny how things end up? Yep, Ron would nod in agreement to that question. So there you have it... a "Radical Rado" that went from tow to show from none other than the "Show Me State."

Shout Out: "Thanks to Scott Bullock of Showcase Customs, Bruce from Hi-tech Auto Trim, Regan Swan from JCS Audio, Mike Pennyland, Danny Taylor from Taylor's House of Color, and most of all... my wife , Shelia." -Ron