ALL IN THE FAMILIA

Some trucks are just vehicles. Others seem to have a personality, a story, and maybe even a little stubborn streak. Jesse Campillo’s ‘86 Squarebody falls into that second category, a truck with enough history and character to deserve its own chair at family gatherings.

Jesse’s connection to the truck goes back to his good friend Danny Williams of DJ Designs. Before Jesse took ownership, the C10 had already logged plenty of family miles. Danny’s grandfather bought it new, using the dark blue step side to tow a boat and haul whatever else life threw at him. Later, the truck passed to Danny’s dad, then to Danny himself, who swapped out the bed for a fleet side and used it as a workhorse for his growing custom interior business. The C10 spent its days running errands, making dump runs, and waiting in front of the shop. That’s where Jesse first spotted it.

“I’d always ask Danny what was up with the truck,” Jesse said. “Half-joking, really. It was just sitting there.” One day, Danny surprised him with a call: “Come get it.” Jesse figured it was a joke, but he didn’t waste time heading over. Soon enough, the C10 was on its way to becoming something special.

Jesse didn’t build this truck alone. Good friends and family pitched in, along with Garret from Three Five Customs, Danny and his DJ Designs crew, Aaron Rigo, and “the homie Rick.” Jesse’s wife may not have turned a wrench, but her patience and support played a big role in the build too.

Over the eight years Jesse has owned the truck, it’s seen several stages. He drove it through the various phases, constantly improving and refining the build. When the project finally came together, Jesse debuted the truck at the C10 Intervention show in Woodland, California, where it earned Best of Show.

“I had been going to that show for years,” Jesse said. “It was amazing to see people’s reaction once the truck was finally finished. Hanging out with all the cool truck guys was a great bonus.”

The truck’s powertrain is built to match its clean, aggressive aesthetic. Under the hood sits a reliable Chevy small-block 350 with Edelbrock aluminum heads, valve covers, and an Edelbrock high-rise intake manifold. The Holley Sniper fuel injection keeps the engine crisp and responsive, while MSD ignition and Accel plug wires provide the spark. Hedman headers route exhaust through a 2.5-inch system built by Larry from ALL KARZ.

Power runs through a Chevy 700R4 transmission, built by Bayshore Transmission with a shift kit for firmer gear changes. Out back, a rebuilt 10-bolt axle with 3.73 gears and a limited-slip differential puts the power down.

The truck’s suspension is as dialed-in as its drivetrain. Up front, an American Suspension front clip with Slam Specialties airbags and QA1 adjustable shocks handles the bumps, while a Choppin Block anti-roll bar keeps things stable. In the rear, an Ekstensive two-link setup with Slam Specialties airbags and Bell Tech shocks completes the setup. Wilwood 12-inch rotors with matching calipers ensure stopping power is never in short supply.

The truck rolls on Hot Rod by Boyd HRXZERO wheels, 22×8.5 up front and 22×10 out back, wrapped in Michelin Pilot rubber.

Visually, Jesse’s C10 is striking without being overdone. The PPG Cavalry Blue paint, applied by Aaron Rigo in Vallejo, California, gives the truck a clean, classic look. Body mods include shaved gas doors, shaved front fender marker lights, and a custom wood bed kit. Holley LED headlights and aluminum LS Fab door handles round out the exterior.

Inside, DJ Designs worked their magic to create a custom interior that’s as refined as the exterior. The DJ Designs seat, upholstered in Apex leather, sits beside a custom wood veneer and leather console. The door and dash inserts are polished aluminum with wood veneer accents, giving the cabin a rich, detailed look. Modern tech like Dakota Digital gauges, Pioneer touch screen, and Audison 5-channel amplifier driving Blam Live  speakers keep things functional and fun.

The coolest part of the story? Jesse recently had the chance to show the finished truck to Danny’s dad. Seeing his face light up as he sat behind the wheel brought the truck’s story full circle.

“These trucks hold memories,” Jesse said. “They’re more than just objects. It’s pretty cool when you can revive them and get them back on the road looking good.”

That connection between people, places, and the past is what makes a truck like Jesse’s C10 special. Sure, it’s a head-turner, and yes, it’s packed with top-notch parts. But at the end of the day, it’s a family truck with a long history and a new chapter that’s still being written.