There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the staff when we received Donald Hadden's TTC entry. Sure, with plenty of tire, a sensible wheelbase, and a long-travel suspension, it appeared to be built just right for our obstacles ... but rigs with sparkling paint schemes tend to bring out the worst in the trolls that reside in the Tank Trap, and many are the examples of pristine sheetmetal that they've gnawed up and spat out in the canyon. In the end, we figured it was your call to make, and make it you did. Now Donald is ready to run the gauntlet.
 What can we say that the photo...  What can we say that the photo can't? This is one Top Truck we'd be happy to own. The eye-catching metalwork, including the rock sliders, rollcage, and auxiliary fuel tank, were all cobbled up by the creative minds at Wide Open Design in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Fireball Orange paint and graphics were applied by Little Man Custom in Augusta, Gee-A. Pimpin' may not be easy, but this is one sweet ride. |  A tasteful combination of...  A tasteful combination of (a few) stock and custom parts, the S-10's interior retains the OE gauges, albeit in an eye-catching one-off console-with all switchgear conveniently relocated on the center stack-that's been fabbed by Wide Open Design. A pair of APC racing seats, a custom billet steering wheel, and a Kenwood stereo round out the list of cockpit comforts. |  The rear Rockwell, also Detroit-Locked...  The rear Rockwell, also Detroit-Locked and spinning 6.72:1s, is likewise located by a fully Heim'd four-link and 16-inch-travel Fox remote-reservoir coilovers. The cut 46-inch 'Claws on MRT rims are ready to go, the custom-caged Wilwood pinion brake provides whoa, and the whole setup is handsome enough to show. |
 The flamin' S-10 has horsepower...  The flamin' S-10 has horsepower to burn, but it's largely a turnkey affair. A '98 Chevy 454ci Vortec V-8 sits in the engine bay and has been treated to a GM Performance .502-inch-lift cam, Crane valve springs, and 1.7:1 rocker arms. The only other underhood mods of note are the Sanderson headers, Optima Red Top, and Jim's Performance wiring harness. Backing the injected big-block is a Perma-Cooled TH400 automatic sporting a 2,000-rpm-stall PTC torque converter, and behind the juicebox resides an NP203/205 doubler box. |  Ho hum, another 2 1/2-ton...  Ho hum, another 2 1/2-ton Rockwell frontend. Still, you gotta love the 6.72:1 gears and Detroit Locker in the front diff, not to mention the Ouverson Engineering pinion brake that helps stop the fully hydro-steered Rock'. The really new and novel trick to this setup, though, can be found at the axle ends, where 46-inch Mickey Thompson Claws are custom-cut (the first time we've ever seen this trick with this tread) and wrapped around 15-inch MRT rims. The front suspension is a fully Heim-jointed four-link incorporating 14-inch-travel Fox coilovers and a Currie Anti-Rock sway bar. |  Who says you can't look good...  Who says you can't look good and kick ass in the dirt? The show-like attention to detail is evidenced everywhere including the rollcage and chassis . |
Owner name/city: Donald Hadden/Clarks Hill, South Carolina
Occupation: N/A
Vehicle model: '97 Chevy S-10
Estimated value: N/A
Engine/aspiration: '98 Chevy 454ci Vortec V-8; GM Performance 502 cam, Crane 7:1 rockers/EFI, Sanderson exhaust
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case(s): NP203/205
Suspension (f/r): 14-inch coilovers, Fox air shocks/16-inch coilovers, Fox air shocks; Currie Anti-Rock sway bars
Axles (f/r): Detroit-Locked 2 1/2-ton Rockwell/Detroit-Locked 2 1/2-ton Rockwell
Axle ratio: 6.72:1
Wheels: 15x14 MRT bead locks
Tires: 19.5/46-15 cut Mickey Thompson Baja Claws