10-Month Build

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE, WANTING TO BUILD OUR DREAM VEHICLE, SOMETHING GREAT LOOKING and equally capable, powerful and fun to drive. For Jimmy Portale of Niles, Ohio, the idea to build his dream truck came about long before picking up his ’15 Chevy Silverado 2500HD in late 2015.

- Drew Riley

It was a run-of-the-mill stock 6.0L Vortec-powered rig, but Jimmy knew the truck had potential. With a solid plan and the right parts, he knew his truck could deliver, doing everything from turning heads to keeping up with his active outdoor lifestyle.

With some ideas in mind, Jimmy linked up with friend and fellow Bow Tie builder Jeff Cleer of Voodoo Customs to help bring the plan to reality. Affectionately named “Gunner,” this truck reflects Jimmy’s firearm hobby and being outdoors along with his favorite color, lime green. “Nothing beats a black truck when it’s all shined up,” Jimmy says. While that may be true, it’s not easy to photograph them, which is why you see so few black trucks featured in magazines.

But, there’s something about the Nevada desert reflecting on the body that just makes this truck “pop,” lime green accents and all.