KANDY KRUSH

Taking over the Kandy Kingdom

- PHIL GORDON

HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT CULTURES EXIST IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. They all have one focal point: have the best vehicle possible. In the tuner lifestyle, it’s about loud music and utilizing small areas for speakers. In the lowrider lifestyle, it’s about adjustable suspension and flashy paint. And, of course, in the truck lifestyle, it’s about being as low as possible with larger wheels tucking under the truck.

Raul Saenz of Houston, Texas, decided he wanted to combine a few cultures into one. As a child, Raul built model cars in lowrider form and oftentimes would ask his parents to drive by the lowrider hangouts so he could see the vehicles.

In 2006, Raul got the opportunity to purchase a brand-new Ford F-150 and took it. To begin the lifestyle meshing, within the first two weeks Raul took the Ford into Stereo EFX to add a full custom stereo system, and he also added some 24-inch wheels. A year later, Raul upgraded to 26-inch wheels, made his stereo louder and added a few TVs in the cab. In 2008, Raul and some of his close friends decided to start a truck club and called it HouTex Ryders. As Raul was entrusted with the president role of the club, his Ford F-150 needed to start standing out.