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2003 GMC Sonoma

March 1, 2022 By Gauge Magazine

2003 GMC Sonoma owned by Mike Smith

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Issue
March 2022
Owner
Michael Smith TR1
Ride
Cat in the Hat
(2003 GMC Sonoma)
Meaning Behind the Name
unknown - named that way when I got it
Photographer
Jason Carrol

Ride Details

Original Cost
18,000
Build Cost
unknown - been built a couple of times
What was the inspiration?
I did not build the truck, I acquired it built already with this paint scheme and coloring. I have redone several components in the suspension and electrical as well as audio in the interior.... The Cat in the Hat being a childrens book, is a great way to get the kids into looking at the truck. I usually have a case of Hot Wheels with me. I give the Hot wheels to the kids, putting a big smile on their face...
How long did it take you to build?
I have had the truck about 16 months and I have had the bed off and inspected for proper build, and ended up welding in the "bolt in notch kit" that had been installed, as well as welding the bracing. I installed new Monroe shocks on all four corners as well as new bags and air lines all the way around. I had Paul Howard go through the interior and replace the older style shaved oor handle latch kit with a newer up to date unit, a new Sony head unit, 6 new subs in the extended cab area, build a new sub box and cover it and a new 7 switch air ride control unit. I have put in a new yellow top battery and redid some of the old wiring under the hood. I also put in LED tail lights as the original bulbs were hard to see with the cadilac styled tail light assemblies.
How long have you been building?
I am old.... I have been working on cars with my dad growing up and painting my own vehicles, although I did not paint the Cat in the Hat. I have painted several other show trucks and motorcycles in the past. MY first mini truck was a 1989 Isuzu Pup with a regular cab. I cut out and fabricated bracing for a walk through style interior in that truck and then ended up doing this on several other trucks back in the day.
Club Affiliations
Friends with several guys in the midwest, like Twisted Koncepts and Severed Ties, but have not petitioned to join any at this time.
Your future plans?
I want a medium duty truck to play with, put on air bags, and pull my other toys around with.
Vehicle history
As a teenager my first vehicle was a 1976 Camaro, daily driver, painted, wrecked, repaired and painted again. Wheels tires, air shocks to lift in the back..... Loved that first vehicle and have had several other Camaros and Transams through Generation 2,3, and 4. Got into Chevy trucks as well, have had several different generations of trucks, lifting or lowering for different looks through the years. My daily driver now is a stock suspension Z71 2017 Chevrolet 2500 HD LTZ and I love it, I am trying to figure out a way to keep it as my daily and still get the dream medium duty truck play with.
Thanks to
Thanks to Ron Moore and Jake Simmons for helping me get the truck, Alex Devol for helping with the frame reinforcement welding.... Special thanks to Paul Howard at #Handmadehoward for the awesome over budget interior mods with new Sony head unit and 6 NVX subs, alpine speakers, NVX amps, wiring to keep it from burning to the ground....and my wife Lucia Smith for thinking she was getting a new mini truck because how the hell was I going to fit in it, to drive it.....
Previous Rides
just some of my previous rides that need mentioning 1976, 1984, 1994 Chevy Camaro 1977, 1987, 1989, 1994 Transam 1989 Isuzu pup 2012 Dodge Durango 1962, 1976, 1988, 2015, 2017 Chevy truck 2007, 2008, 2012 Dodge Charger 2003 GMC Sonoma 1973 Porsche 914 Targa 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 Yamaha Road STAR 1999, 2003. 2007 Yamaha Royal Star 2010 Yamaha FJR 2013, 2014, 2020 Can Am Spyder RT Limited there have been several other vehicles through the years, but these are the fun ones. (Again, I am old)

Engine Details

Make
Vortec 4300 4.3L V6 (L35) 2003
Cylinders
6
Displacement
L35 is 262 cu in
Engine Mods
K and N cool air intake air conditioning removal
Engine Add Ons
Optima - yellow top battery
Chrome or polish
wheels, steering wheel, mirrors

Driveline Details

Clutch flywheel
stock
Torque Converter
stock
Transfer Case
stock
Axle
stock
Gears
unknown - stock

Chassis Details

Chassis
stock
Mods to Frame
welded in "Bolt in notch kit"
Drop or lift inches
drops to the frame, air on all four corners, sleeve style in the rear and bags in the front.
Front Shocks
Monroe 32245 Monro-Matic
Rear Shocks
Monroe 32207 Monro-Matic
Spindles
drop spindles unkown make
Springs
Firestone bags
Compressor Info
2 - VIAIR compressors
Valve Info
8 valves
Airbag Info
front Firestone bags, adn rear air sleeve bags

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type
Giovanna
Rear Wheel Type
Giovanna
Front Wheel Size
20 X 8
Rear Wheel Size
20 X 9
Front Tire Size
245 / 35 ZR20
Rear Tire Size
245 / 35 ZR20

Paint Details

Color
red and white
Paint Type
unknown, with lots of pearl flake
Graphics Description
bottom half is white and top half is red. jagged line to seperate the colors, with black jagged pin striping. Cat in the Hat hand painted mural on rear tailgate.
Painted By
unknown
Graphics By
unknown

Body Details

Channeled
no
Hood
stock
Grille
stock
Bumpers
stock and painted to match
Wing
none
Addon Accessories
billet chrome motorcycle side mirrors mounted on the doors
Body Mods
bed is tubbed for the wheels and axle location. Bed is Rhino lined. Tailgate is welded shut with shaved tailgate handle. Cadilac styled tail lights with LEDs. stock style lower molding on the sonoma sides. shaved door handles with remote entry door poppers. no rear bumper, roll pan color matched to the lower white color.
Body Mods by
unknown

Interior Details

Dashboard
stock
Gauges
stock
Steering Wheel
chromed billet flamed steering wheel
Console
none
Head Unit
SONY Double DIN - apple car play and blue tooth
Amps
NVX
Speakers
Alpine and NVX
Video System
none
Stereo Installed by
Paul Howard #handmadehoward
Shifter
none
Seats
stock
Tint Percent
20%
Trunk or Bed
Bed is Rhino lined
Upholstery Description
stock grey cloth upholstery and carpet
Upholstery Description
6 NVX subs in custom grey and red box in the extended cab area
Upholstery By
Paul Howard custom sub box

Cat in the Hat

2003 GMC Sonoma owned by Mike Smith

The 2003 GMC Sonoma owned by Mike Smith is a stunning example of what customization can do to a vehicle. This truck, known as “Cat in the Hat,” is a perfect representation of Smith’s passion for cars, which has been with him since he was a child. This article will delve into the details of this beautifully customized truck, providing a comprehensive overview of its features and specifications.

Smith acquired the truck already built, and while he didn’t build it himself, he has made some significant improvements since then. The paint scheme and coloring of the truck are its most notable features, with a jagged line separating the white and red colors, accented with black jagged pinstriping. The Cat in the Hat hand-painted mural on the rear tailgate adds an extra touch of personality.

The truck’s exterior has undergone several modifications, including the bed being tubbed to accommodate the wheels and axle location. The bed is Rhino-lined, and the tailgate is welded shut with a shaved tailgate handle. The stock-style lower molding on the Sonoma sides and shaved door handles with remote entry door poppers make this truck stand out. The truck has no rear bumper, and the roll pan is color-matched to the lower white color.

The “Cat in the Hat” truck’s chassis has also undergone some notable changes, with a 2-inch drop on the spindles and air shocks on all four corners. Firestone bags in the front and sleeve style in the rear, eight valves, and two VIAIR compressors make up the air ride setup. The Monroe 32245 Monro-Matic front shocks and Monroe 32207 Monro-Matic rear shocks complete the chassis modifications.

The truck’s wheels and tires are also noteworthy, with Giovanna wheels measuring 20 X 8 in the front and 20 X 9 in the rear. The 245 / 35 ZR20 tires add a sporty touch to the vehicle’s overall look. The paint scheme is accentuated by the chrome or polished wheels, steering wheel, and mirrors.

Under the hood, the truck is powered by a Vortec 4300 4.3L V6 (L35) engine, with K and N cool air intake air conditioning removal. The yellow top battery and LED tail lights round out the engine modifications. The stock clutch flywheel and torque converter, transfer case, axle, and gears are unchanged.

Moving to the truck’s interior, the stock dashboard and gauges have been retained. The steering wheel has been replaced with a chromed billet flamed steering wheel. The Sony Double DIN head unit with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth capabilities, Alpine and NVX speakers, and NVX amps complete the sound system. The custom sub box built by Paul Howard, housing the six NVX subs in the extended cab area, and the 20% tinted windows complete the interior modifications.

In conclusion, the “Cat in the Hat” 2003 GMC Sonoma is a beautiful example of a customized truck. Mike Smith’s passion for cars is evident in the modifications he has made to this vehicle, and the attention to detail is impressive. The exterior and chassis modifications, along with the unique paint scheme and wheels, make this truck stand out from the crowd. The interior modifications, especially the custom sub box, add an extra level of comfort and style to the vehicle.

Owned by: Michael Smith TR1

Photos by: Jason Carroll


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Filed Under: Features, March 2022 Tagged With: air conditioning removal, air ride suspension, bolt in notch kit., Car Audio, Car Shows, Cat in the Hat, Chevrolet, ck, custom, custom paint, Features, Firestone bags, Giovanna wheels, GMC, Graphics, Hot Rod, interior modifications, LED tail lights, Lowered, Optima, Paul Howard, Sonoma, truck enthusiasts, Viair compressors, Vortec engine, welded frame, yellow top battery


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