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| MONSTER:
Size does matter |
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STORY: Ryan Hladun
PHOTOGRAPHY: Douglas Little
Most dream garages contain items such as a separate high amp
electrical service or air tools. For Terry DeSousa, it would
have a bed and a shower. "I'd live in the garage if I
could," DeSousa said without sarcasm. He estimated he
spends an average of six hours a day in his North End garage,
working tirelessly for his passion for metal on wheels represented
by a monster 1989 Chevrolet 1500 4x4.
When DeSousa first saw the piece of scrap metal that would
become his dream machine at his friend's backyard wrecker,
he knew he would do whatever it took to own it. He continually
begged his buddy to sell it to him. He could only picture
the things he would do to it-it drove him crazy. Luckily for
DeSousa, it was meant to be. "What happened was I had
a car he wanted and we ended up swapping.
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Finally, it was all his. But, whichever way he looked at it,
it was still a pile of scrap metal. People would laugh if DeSousa
told them he could get it up and running. Everything had to
be redone. He chuckled every time he remembered the strain it
took on him. It didn't come without a major investment and some
demanding challenges.
The first step was also his toughest. He started with mounting
the cab onto the frame, but to his disappointment, he was trying
to force a 1979 cab on a 1989 frame and the different curves
were causing the platform flares to crack. It was as tight a
spot as DeSousa had imagined and he almost quit more than a
few times. But he kept at it, however frustrating. After five
months, several busted tools, four holes in the wall and with
dirt permanently etched in his hands, he finally got the body
properly in place by reworking the metal.
Even though he anticipated problems like that before even starting,
he's not too fond of thinking about going through that ordeal
another time. "I think if I have to do something like that
again, I wouldn't work on a truck like that," he said and
added that he doesn't think his own body could take the stress.
After the hard part was out of the way though, he was finally
free to have some fun. Starting with new flares, like a mad
scientist he went from modification to modification, experimenting
with one focus. "I wanted a truck with huge tires, but
low, short, and stocky," he said. From a 12-bolt rear end,
to a double-tube front bumper, to a custom bench, he needed
it all.
Now, three years after he started, DeSousa said he isn't done
yet. He said it still needs to be air lifted, have a new suspension
put in, as well as after market gages. In addition, he believes
the motor needs a rebuild.
The 4x4 is DeSousa's 5th vehicle, but he said it's by far his
best.
With a four-inch suspension lift, 44-inch tires, and a 454 engine,
this thing is a monster not to be messed with. He is especially
happy with its body and paint job. "It's exactly the way
I want it," he said with a huge smile on his face. He said
even with its challenges, the endeavor was worth it. "Without
a doubt, none of it was a waste of money."
In addition to the truck, DeSousa is busy putting together a
1968 Camaro and a 1974 Blazer. It's a hobby that started at
a young age, and he doesn't see himself slowing down. He said
when he was 14 he used to watch a guy race a 1974 Nova SS down
his street and added, "Ever since then I was hooked; so
why stop now?"
CONTRIBUTORS
Total Performance - performance parts
JC Fiberglass - original paint
Jeff Allen - repaint
Leonard -gears
MOD LIST
44-inch Groundhog tires
12-bolt rear end by Detroit Locker
Double-tube front bumper
Custom flares
Custom drive shafts
Four-inch lift kit
Polished Luminous valve cover
Great Rate Turbo 350 transmission
Custom bench
Extreme upholstery
Pioneer stereo
Kenwood amp
Infinity speakers
Mallory distributor
Double carburetor
Dana 44 steering
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