1979

What started as a clean, gray and silver patina driver quickly turned into a full-blown dream build for JD Terry and his 1979 GMC Jimmy. This classic SUV, already LS-swapped and fitted with Vintage Air by Greening Automotive in Cullman, Alabama, landed in JD’s garage as a solid performer with style. But JD had bigger plans.

Once in his hands, JD took the Jimmy to Pro Touring Texas, a performance-focused shop known for turning rides into corner-carving machines. There, the transformation truly began. A full Ridetech coil-over setup was installed, featuring their front system paired with a 4-link coil-over kit in the rear. To accommodate the aggressive stance JD envisioned, the rear end was narrowed three inches to allow room for a set of 22×10 Raceline wheels wrapped in 285/35/22 Nitto NT555 rubber. Complementing the ride’s newfound performance and grip, Baer brakes were installed at all four corners to bring the beast to a stop with confidence.

With the suspension dialed in and the stance just right, JD spent the next six months daily driving the Jimmy, enjoying every turn of the wheel. In between commutes and weekend drives, he began restoring the interior back to its original factory look with his own hands, piece by piece. His ultimate goal was to debut the Jimmy at the prestigious Triple Crown of Rodding show.

But just a day before he was set to hit the road, disaster struck. A minor fender bender derailed JD’s plans, leaving the Jimmy wounded and the dream temporarily paused. Instead of sulking, JD still made the trip to the show, this time as a spectator. And it’s a good thing he did.

While roaming the show grounds, JD stopped at the Hills Hot Rods booth, a standout shop based in Lubbock, Texas. Striking up a conversation with Jason, the shop’s owner, JD shared the story of his damaged Jimmy. That conversation sparked a new idea, and soon enough, JD was shipping his classic SUV to Hills for a full makeover.

Hills Hot Rods didn’t just repair the damage. They completely transformed the Jimmy. The exterior got a brand-new color change and a full refinish. JD also requested modern flush-mounted glass, and all new Precision replacement seals and molding to bring everything up to show-car standards. The once patina’d cruiser was now a high-end, head-turning custom ride.

With the exterior dialed in, JD turned to JD Glassworks for a complete interior overhaul and a custom audio setup that would rival the best in the business. This was no basic speaker swap. This was a full sound experience.

Enter Tim Smith, JD’s good friend and a pro at Kicker HQ. Tim hand-picked every Kicker component for the build: KPX amps, KS 2-way speakers, 6-inch mid-bass drivers, and four 8-inch L7 Thin mount subwoofers, all tied together with an Alpine head unit. JD Glassworks took those top-tier components and worked their magic. They built a hidden center console sub box for the four subs, custom enclosures under the front seats for the mid-bass drivers, and sleek, hidden kick panels and rear speaker mounts for the 2-ways. The result is a clean, powerful sound system that looks as good as it performs.

Looking back at the journey, JD is proud Not just of the final product, but of everyone who helped bring it to life.

“It turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined,” JD says. “It’s been an absolute dream to drive and own.”

From a modest patina driver to a professionally built showstopper, JD’s 1979 GMC Jimmy is the result of vision, passion, and a team of craftsmen who helped bring it to life. Whether it’s carving corners or turning heads at car shows, this Jimmy is built to impress.