1997 Ford F150

When looking through our feature files for a highly modified Ford F-150 with really nice paint, we instantly stopped thumbing through the folders when we came across this bright yellow '97 Ford. The killer graphics and Predator airbrushing on the tonneau, under the hood, and inside of the bed made this a great Blue Oval for this issue. Built in the Lone Star State, Milton and Elissa Chicas' F-150 is still a work in progress, but then again, aren't they all?

Looking at the smoothed body made us realize the extensive amount of hard work that went into making sure the exterior sheetmetal was nice and straight. J. Valens of Weslaco, Texas, massaged the body by shaving the door handles, antenna, gas door, and emblems. Out back, J. Valens also molded in '01 Lincoln Navigator taillights and a license plate trim piece into the tailgate. Adding pieces to the paint-prepped truck included a new Street Scene bumper, Street Scene mirrors, and a tonneau cover. J. Valens then applied the House of Kolors yellow, purple, blue, orange, and green hues to the truck. Carlos Ramos (aka Air Shark) then came in and applied the Predator airbrushed graphics onto the tonneau, inside of the bed, and underneath the hood. To finish off the Ford, a billet grille and clear headlights were bolted on.

Inside of the F-150, Cesar Lopez of Pharr, Texas, and Palmas from McAllen, Texas, teamed up to build a bright interior to match the pigments from the outside. Cesar started things off by adding a Kenwood CD player and building a center console to house the 7-inch monitor and Playstation 2. Inside of the bed, two 15-inch Crossfire subs are powered by a Memphis Audio 1,000-watt amp, while a Massive Audio amp pushes the watts to the Massive Audio 6-1/2-inch components in the stock locations. Palmas then took over and wrapped the seats in yellow vinyl with white leather to provide the contrast. The dash and carpet also were covered in yellow. A Colorado Custom steering wheel caps things off.

Providing the altered suspension are front and rear airbags by Pedro Rodriguez. The nitrogen tank was custom painted and is housed above the diamond plate that is mounted inside of the bed. The wheels of choice were 20-inch Concept Neeper Titans with Goodyear tires. In three-year's time, the Chicas family had created a Ford that is killing the competition and it may just come for you.

Lincoln Navigator taillights and license plate bezel now call the F-150 home.

Residing in the bed, two 15-inch Crossfire subs pound music, while you get a full view of the airbrushed Predator figures all over the smoothed sheetmetal.

Yellow and white adorn the interior, from the dash to the seats and even spreads to the carpet.