Rydin Oldskool: 1986 Ford F-250 On TIS Wheels

When choosing a ride to customize,

11996 FORD F-250

WORDS: KRISTIE REAL PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

many base it on the type of parts and accessories available and whether or not it’ll be the first to wear the latest and greatest products. This usually means, the newer the ride, the better. Although it’s not rare to want to breathe life into an older model, it’s just not done as often. But the allure of reviving an OBS (a 1992-1996 truck with an “older body style”) was something that always intrigued Calvin Chapleau, the mastermind behind Issue 14’s #MoneyTrapJeep. While the Wrangler was a spontaneous build that happened by chance, his latest 1996 Ford F-250 was a completely thought out project that took months to bring to fruition.

“It took me a while to look for an old school OBS,” he explains. “I wanted something with low miles and in solid shape, which I finally found in British Columbia from some older fella. The truck is more my style and the Jeep was pretty much a last minute thing. I’ve always loved older trucks and had a few throughout the years. They’re just different than the newer ones. One thing I particularly like about them is hearing the doors close - that sound just reminds of a real truck.”

I’ve always loved older trucks and had a few throughout the years. They’re just different than the newer ones. One thing I particularly like about them is hearing the doors close - that sound just reminds of a real truck.”

With the hard part out of the way, it was time to build his masterpiece with the help of RYD Motorsports. Like his show-stopping Jeep, the Ford was meant to be showcased like a queen, but be able to function like a road warrior. But his main mission was to build a lifted street truck with a “custom-built frame” that’s never been seen before. “Most of the Jeep build featured bolt-on parts and the truck was pretty much all custom-built from the ground up,” he confirms.

Baptizing the F-250 “RYDinOldSkool,” Chapleau and RYD tore it down to its bones, keeping only the truck’s cab and motor to make room for all-new parts and fabricated one-off pieces. However, this wasn’t always the original plan, which was to do a custom 14” 4-link suspension, powder coat the frame and run some 37” tall tires. “That all changed thanks to the guys at RYD, who talked me into going bigger,” he adds. In the end, Calvin went all out and did a full custom frame, powder coated it and went

49higher than before, lifting the F-250 up to 20” with massive 40” Fury tires. Like his prior Jeep build, this one was also dressed with a wrap done by ECD Customs’ master wrapper, Chucky, adding the TIS Wheels graphics to showcase the bright red 24x14 TIS Forged F50 wheels. A bumper from a 2010 Ford F-250 really gives the front end a mean grin, while the truck’s red accents pop against the white exterior to give off a clean look which is a preference for Chapleau.

Because it wasn’t a newer F-250, Chapleau wasn’t expecting much in terms of admiration when he showcased it at the TIS Wheels display at the 2017 SEMA Show, and was surprised at all the positive feedback. “People really loved what they saw underneath the truck,” he boasts. “They couldn’t believe all the detail that went into the suspension.” With well over a 100K invested in RYDinOldSkool, Chapleau plans on showing off his baby as much as he can, while enjoying its beauty with weekend cruises, soaking in all the attention it gets as he drives by. “The truck is definitely my favorite build so far. I’ve wanted to do something like this since I was a kid and all the hard work and stress was so worth it!”

51GEAR: 1996 FORD F-250

WHEELS & TIRES

• 24x14 TIS Forged F50 wheels

• 40x15.50R24 LT Fury Country Hunter M/T tires

• True Spike lug nuts

• Shifted Industries wheel spacers

SUSPENSION

• Custom 20” 4-link setup w/ F-O-A 2.5 coil over shocks w/ remote reservoir - 14” travel

PERFORMANCE

• SCT programmer

• K&N Performance air filter

• MBRP Inc. Performance exhaust

EXTERIOR/ARMOR

• Boost-Bars custom grille

• Custom-fitted 2010 F-250 bumper, inserts, headlights and taillights

• Wrap by ECD Customs

ACCESSORIES

• HornBlasters train horn

• XS Power batteries

• Royal Hooks shackles

• R1 Concepts rotors and brake pads

LIGHTING

• Outlaw LED headlights and taillights

• Twisted Pro All-Terrain rock lights

INTERIOR

• Roadwire two-tone leather front and rear seats

• Custom-built sound system w/ center console enclosure w/ HiFonics subwoofers

CALVIN CHAPLEAU @CALZ.KUSTOM | ECD CUSTOMS SHOP-ECD.COM | RYD MOTORSPORTS RYDMOTORSPORTS.COM | TIS WHEELS TISWHEELS.COM FURY TIRES FURYOFFROADTIRES.COM

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