KING OF KRUST

You hear about the “SEMA crunch” every year as the big show nears, but most of the builds on display in Vegas aren’t there to be judged. Obviously, these high-profile vehicles are scrutinized on the world stage by folks in attendance and those paying attention online, but there are no official judges sizing them up and applying a score. There is one exception, however. SEMA does host a Battle of the Builders competition, and the implementation of the Young Guns category is a show within a show that pits builders 29 years old and younger in a fierce battle of who can build the better custom street machine. This is an interesting feature to pay close attention to every year because this division always showcases refreshing creativity and impressive execution. We recently caught up with a youthful builder featured at SEMA 2024 who captured the attention of classic truck fanatics worldwide, the pickup he debuted was nothing short of extraordinary. 

Austin Phipps of Hermiston, Oregon, is a trained mechanic and business owner. He is also the owner of Phipps Built, an auto shop where he allows his imagination to run wild. 2024 wasn’t his first year participating in SEMA’s Young Guns build-off, but it was his last. Austin figured that he should go out with a bang, so he gave himself a full year to complete his 1964 GMC C25 project that he has affectionately named Krusty (for obvious reasons).

The GMC’s weathered appearance looks every bit as rusty as its nickname implies, but its surface is a wonderful illusion. Well, some of it is anyway. Austin treated the truck’s natural patina sections with Sweet Patina sealant, but the rest of the finish was created using a combination of Tungsten Cerakote and Illusion Malbec powdercoat finishes. This method allowed Austin to create a rusted-out look without having to worry about the surface rust developing into something more concerning in the future. 

Austin further upgraded his GMC’s appearance by sawing the long bed down in length as well as expanding rearward vision with a big back window conversion. Bolt-on additions in the way of Brothers Trucks bumpers and other OEM replacement pieces and Dapper Lighting headlights, but it’s the personalized accessories mounted on the roof rack that add Austin’s character to the build. A peek into the bed reveals a fully customized bed floor from Next Level Mats with a center panel that lifts to uncover another important section of the GMC’s highlight reel. 

From the very beginning, Austin envisioned his truck riding low. To get there, he relied on a full custom chassis from Rydman Ranch that is designed specifically for the 1964-1966 C10 platform. The new frame rails were Cerakoted, and a foursome of Air Lift Dominator bags and KYB shocks were bolted onto the chassis. Controlling the airflow from the Square air tank is a network of hard lines and an Air Lift management system. Finishing off the specialized frame are fresh Wilwood braking systems, as well as killer Billet Specialties Accelerator wheels. 22s up front and 24s out back. Things were looking good so far, but Austin still had so much more in store for his C25. 

To get the wheels turning, Austin secured an all-custom Chevy 408 c.i. V8 to throw between the new frame rails. The mill was treated to a heavy helping of performance products, including two Nelson Racing 64mm ball bearing turbos, Wiseco pistons, a Cleetus McFarland Bald Eagle camshaft from Texas Speed, 260cc PRC LS3 heads, a Holley Lo-Ram intake, and a Holley Terminator X Max engine management system to allow everything to jive harmoniously. STL Fab Shop provided 2-1/8-inch headers and a 3-1/2-inch exhaust system to promote easier breathing. Austin then moved the beefed-up, turbo-equipped engine back a couple of inches to ensure it had more than enough room to handle its business. With a build like this where everything is custom, clearance is always key. 

Inside the cab, Austin planted a Snowden bench seat with distressed burgundy leather upholstery. To match it, Guy Designz door panels were dressed in the same material, as was a Billet Specialties steering wheel. Fresh carpeting completed the color coordination, and to boost the interior’s cool factor, a complete Restomod A/C system was incorporated into the dash, along with Dakota Digital gauges, and a double DIN receiver. Kicker audio components were then wired up to give Austin the freedom to jam whenever he’s out for a cruise. 

Many truck enthusiasts can only dream of owning a truck this cool. A larger number of them can only wish they had the ability to pull it off with their own hands. Austin sure did put his talents to the test and his creativity on the line with the creation of Krusty, and his efforts paid off big time. The impact this truck has made on the truck community at large, as well as the inspiration it delivers to up-and-coming builders everywhere, is truly commendable and must be celebrated. Cheers to Austin for the completion of a genuinely exciting classic GMC. Driving this thing must be an absolute blast! Stay on the lookout for future builds to come from the Phipps Built garage.