An instrument cluster and gauges can make or break a custom build. At this year’s Grand National Roadster Show, Dakota Digital gauges were featured on some of the top kustoms featured on the show floor.

Once we received our press credentials for the Grand National Roadster Show, we called our friends at Dakota Digital to see if there was anything really exciting coming to the show. Many of the custom builders work with Dakota Digital for special “one-off” gauges that fit a certain style or performance level in their builds.

Dakota Digital’s Scott Johnson immediately guided us SIC Chops’ Blazer build. The team at SIC Customs has taken a 1961 Chevy Suburban to the next level by using a one-off Roadster Shop frame, then building a sick chopped custom around that foundation (See what we did there?).

SIC Chops’ Overcast Suburban was built to be the first Blazer that never was. Taking a Suburban and cutting 22-inches off of the length brought it in line with what a Blazer would have looked like if they had been built in 1961.

SIC Chops’ Scott Laitinen described the build at last year’s SEMA show by saying; “We just wanted to change the game on the C10 world where everyone is shortening pickup trucks. Why can’t you shorten a Suburban?” Scott claims they shortened the Suburban by 22-inches with 11-inches out of the center and 11-inches out of the rear. He also stated that the team chopped the top by two-inches and flattened the top.

As a single man shop with a couple of part time helpers, SIC Chops is selective about the components and contractors they use. Dakota Digital is one of those selected and trusted resources that Laitinen uses regularly.

Build Details Of The 1961 Chevy Suburban “Overcast”

• Frame: Roadster Shop custom
• Exhaust: R.E.F. Three inch stainless steel, Jet Coated black
• Wheels: One-off Colorado Custom
• Paint: Axalta Chromax painted by Scott Laintinen
• Polishing: Jeff’s Metal Polishing
• Plating: Tim Blair at California Chrome
• Chrome Molding: Red Lizard Molding
• Glass: Lucky’s Auto Glass
• Gauges: Dakota Digital custom
• Audio: Kicker
• Engine: Chevrolet LSA 840 hp built by Don Hardy
• Transmission: Phoenix Transmissions 4L80E
• Suspension: Accuair Endo-VT
• Rearend: Strange 9-inch
• Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport
• Brakes: Baer 14-inch, six piston
• Cooling: Any Radiator Service
• Interior: Ron Mangus

Awards

• SEMA Show 2017: Goodguys Top 5 Gold
• Goodguys Scottsdale show 2016: Top 10 Builders Choice
• Grand National Roadster Show 2017: FIRST PLACE IN CLASS
• Grand National Roadster Show 2017: Best Engineered
• Super Nationals (Albuquerque, NM) 2017: Best Overall Truck

Rodger Lee’s Haterade was BRIGHT ORANGE.

Ironworks Speed and Kustom

Then next vehicle that Johnson hooked us up with was a Rodger Lee construction that had also made an appearance at last year’s SEMA show. The Ironworks Speed and Kustom‘s 1955 Chevy Bel Air “Haterade” is orange. Bright orange. A kind of bright ORANGE that you can’t miss. Which brings us to the Dakota Digital gauges in the beauty. With a color that stands out so much, every other aspect of the car better be as noteworthy. “I used Dakota Digital’s instrument panel on this car because they could get the look I wanted. I actually worked with them on the color of the gauge and needle to get it exactly correct,” Said Lee. “I like that their digital gauges can be combined with analog gauges too.”

Lee’s creation has a definite hot rod feel to it by blending high performance components like race harnesses, a race-ready suspension, and an engine that will keep up with anything on the street. Many of the machine’s modifications are subtle, even unnoticeable, unless you are aware of the work. For example, Lee lowered the front bumper and grille to make the body sit better than the original OE version.

Build Details Of Rodger Lee’s “Haterade” 1955 Chevy Bel Air

• Frame: Custom Ironworks
• Wheels: Custom Evod Industries
• Paint: PPG Custom “Haterade”
• Plating: Sherm’s Custom Plating
• Powder Coating: Pacific Coast Powdercoating
• Gauges: Dakota Digital custom
• Engine: Chevrolet LSX-376-B15 with V20 Votrtech blower
• Suspension: C6 Corvette front with four-link rear. Ridetech coilovers
• Interior: Sid Chavers

Ironworks 1962 Impala

As an added bonus, we spotted a dark gray 1962 bubble-top Impala in the Ironworks booth that also was fitted with Dakota Digital gauges. Of course, we had to shoot this spectacular custom as well.