Originally a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Rumble Bee, a special edition 5.7L HEMI in bright Solar Yellow with a ground effects package, 20” wheels, stripe and number plate #4787, this transformed “Super Bee” is owned by Meredith Rounds. The custom truck started as a small sound quality project vehicle. But the customization went way beyond the audio to a myriad of cosmetic and performance modifications, thanks to Jesse Sprister of Drive Customs. Meredith is not exactly a client of his. She happens to be his girlfriend. But that wasn’t the only reason she supported the expansion of the project. She dove into it along with Jesse. Soon, the truck would get a Gaylord’s TL tonneau cover, Sir Michael’s steel roll pan and an SRT-10 hood. The locks on the tonneau cover and the tail gate handle were shaved, and the spare tire hole was filled for a smooth appearance. To further differentiate this truck from regular Dodge Rams, Jesse fabricated a solid rear ground effects piece that sits below the roll pan. A McGaughy’s 2”/4” drop, chrome 22” Boss wheels wrapped in Falken tires and rear-exit exhaust mimic the old school muscle car look.

Paint

Based on the Commemorative Edition Dodge SRT-10 Viper truck, the paint on the Dodge consists of a Solar Yellow base with Chrysler Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl fanged racing stripes outlined in a silver metallic hand pinstripe. The door handles and antenna base were painted yellow to match the body of the truck, but the mirrors were left black so as to blend in with the tinted windows. The headlights were replaced with ones with clear reflectors, and the stock tail lights and third brake light were smoked for a more aggressive appearance. Accents like the aluminum gas door, one-off bumper and hood grill inserts and custom exhaust trim tie in nicely with the truck’s overall color scheme of yellow, black and silver.

Converting to Super Bee

After reassembly, it was decided that the truck would no longer be a Rumble Bee, but rather a Super Bee, a throwback to the Mopars of the 60’s and 70’s. Playing off of this idea, Jesse and his business partner at Drive Customs, Jay Oliphant, created a compound motorized iPod compartment within the radio bezel featuring an acrylic window engraved with the words “Super Bee” and back lit with yellow LEDs. The underside of the tonneau cover was  upholstered  in   black suede with the same “Super Bee” font  embroidered in bright yellow. The fanged stripes on the hood received “Super Bee” decals and the front fenders had the original HEMI badge replaced with two brand new Super Bee emblems.

Proud owner, Meredith Rounds, with her Super Bee.

Autographed by Chip Foose, SEMA Show '09.

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