Some people choose television ads and some use newspapers, but 39-year-old Rob Melo of Naples, Florida, felt an alternative method was the best way to promote his business. A self-proclaimed truck guy, Rob started his granite company, called CSI, back in 1992 but realized the conventional advertisement he was using wasn’t doing the trick.
With a stroke of genius, Rob went to a local Ford dealership and purchased a brand-new ’11 Ford F-250 4x4 XLT to use as a rolling billboard. Eager to engage this creative method of advertisement, Rob resisted taking the prized Ford (which only had 1,000 miles on the odometer) to the closest shop available and sat down to do his homework. After researching various companies and their reputations, Rob met with Jordan Tadysak at Wicked Customs in Naples. The rest, as they say, is history.
Within 13 short days, Jordan and the hardworking crew transformed the stock F-250 into the eye-catching performer Rob envisioned. Wicked went with a clean-chrome shock body and gloss-black suspension, accenting the black finish and machined edges on the 24-inch BMF wheels. Smoked lens accessories were added using Jordan’s connection at Recon to grab very-limited-production smoked headlights. Another innovative addition the experts at Wicked chose was the roof lights. “If we were going to do it,” Jordan tells us, “we had to be bold with it.” A nine-light kit was added to the roof and evenly spaced to create an aggressive appearance. Jordan continued adding his signature touch by mounting the shock reservoirs in a “T” fashion (Jordan loves to call them Rezzys).
Using the latest issue of 8-Lug for reference, Jordan showed Rob how to hide the differentials. Mag-Hytec covers were added to the front and rear. A custom stabilizer bracket had to be built to work with the larger front cover. A custom front grille was added with real stainless steel bolts drilled into it to replace the huge stock front nose. The final step was the audio portion, and this is where Pure Audio (located next door to Wicked Customs) got down and dirty, adding LED lighting to the suspension and interior for a perfect nighttime visual. A Pioneer navigation deck was added to the Ford and JL Audio components were dropped throughout the cabin for crystal clear sound.
When Rob was able to bring this wicked beast home, he found one important thing that was left out: His wife Lauren and kids found it a bit too high to get into. Jordan went right back to work adding electric steps. The AMP steps were given a 2-inch drop to ensure easy access. “I was so impressed with the way Wicked built my truck,” Rob tells us. “I have already brought my wife’s Excursion to the shop for a complete rebuild.” With the constant stares and photos snapping everywhere Rob goes, it appears the wicked one has reached its maximum potential.