Jeff and Luanne Andrews’ ’86 Squarebody Chevy
Many will argue that if it weren’t for deadlines, nothing would ever get done, which rings particularity true when it comes to Jeff and Luanne Andrew’s ’86 Chevy pickup. After about five years of on-and-off work and progress, they finished their squarebody the Wednesday before the 30th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals event. Another fitting saying would be “good things come to those who wait,” as their fresh build earned them a finalist position in the 2019/2021 LMC Truck of the Year Late running!
Jeff’s been building and playing with trucks for years, so he was excited for his friend Keith Terry, who bought this truck several years ago. Keith disassembled the Chevy with plans for a cool cruiser, but the project stalled and eventually Jeff was able to purchase it – and then got busy!
The factory chassis was treated to a Porterbuilt front drop member and power rack complemented with their rear suspension setup supported by air to help achieve a smooth ride and slammed stance when parked. A Wilwood master cylinder and disc brakes were added to slow the roll of the Schott 22×8- and 22×10-inch wheels wrapped in IronMan rubber. To accommodate the drop in attitude, Jeff’s friend Ron Owens masterfully raised the bed floor, crafted a set of tubs, and added some custom touches to the tailgate. When the sheet metal was straightened and tightened up, Rich Mutert sprayed an Axalta blend to match the 503 light green offered on 1968 C10s.
A refreshing take under the hood is the extremely well detailed small-block Chevy between the custom inner fenders and firewall. The 350/350 was treated to hours of grinding to smooth its cast finish to match the polished Edelbrock intake. A Billet Specialties Tru-Trac system keeps the accessories turning and Jeff built the custom exhaust with a set of Thrush mufflers for a classic hot rod tone.
The interior is unmistakably squarebody vintage with just the right amount of modern styling cues. Jeff fitted Dakota Digital gauges into a new dash that he colored to a saddle hue along with other soft trim. A Billet Specialties wheel tops the stock column and Vintage Air keeps the inside environment comfy for Jeff and Luanne. SewnTight interiors modified the factory seat before stitching a fresh leather cover with ’55 Chevy fabric inserts.
The project took about five years as budget and time permitted, and with Des Moines in the rearview mirror, the Andrews are set to enjoy their latest pickup project!
Photos by John Jackson
