Kevin Schiele On Bitchin' Rides: Master Shop Foreman And Custom Build Strategy (2026 Guide)

Kevin Schiele, known to automotive enthusiasts as "KevDogg," serves as the Lead Shop Foreman at Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a core figure on MotorTrend Network's long-running series Bitchin' Rides. This guide examines Schiele's role in custom metal fabrication, suspension engineering, and high-end hot rod assembly, highlighting the shop protocols and technical standards that define high-level vehicle customization in 2026.

The Engine Behind Kindig-it Design: Kevin Schiele’s Evolution in Custom Fabrication

Achieving international recognition in elite hot rod building requires a combination of artistic vision, mechanical engineering, and rigorous shop management. At Kindig-it Design’s 27,000-square-foot facility in Salt Lake City, Kevin Schiele translates conceptual sketches from business partner Dave Kindig into street-ready, award-winning vehicles. Serving as shop foreman for over two decades, Schiele oversees daily operations, managing specialized teams across metal shaping, paint preparation, electrical wiring, chassis engineering, and final assembly.

Schiele's career was built on hand-on experience in chassis fabrication and air suspension integration. Long before television cameras entered the shop, he developed a reputation for solving complex fitment issues on low-slung trucks and classic muscle cars. His leadership style relies on absolute precision: tolerances measured in fractions of a millimeter, seamless panel gaps, and hidden mechanical systems that leave engine bays looking uncluttered.

In 2026, as custom builds increasingly incorporate advanced modern technology—including electric power steering conversions, modern drive-by-wire engine swaps, digital CAN-bus wiring networks, and custom 3D-printed interior trim—Schiele remains the bridge between traditional metalworking techniques and modern automotive engineering.

Master-Level Fabrication Workflows: Chassis, Suspension, and Fitment Standards

Executing a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar build demands strict adherence to engineering sequences. Under Schiele’s direction, every vehicle entering Kindig-it Design follows a methodical workflow to guarantee structural integrity, ride quality, and show-winning aesthetics.

+-------------------------------------------------------+ | CRITICAL CUSTOM BUILD PIPELINE | +-------------------------------------------------------+ | 1. Disassembly, Media Blasting, & Laser Scanning | | 2. Aftermarket Chassis & Suspension Mock-Up | | 3. Sheet Metal Shaping & Flush-Fit Bodywork | | 4. Mechanical Plumbing, Wiring, & Drivetrain Fitting | | 5. Teardown, Body Paint, & Final Assembly Testing | +-------------------------------------------------------+

1. Aftermarket Chassis Integration and Geometry

Stock frames from the 1930s through the 1970s rarely support modern high-horsepower engine platforms like Chevy LT4/LT5s, Ford Coyotes, or Chrysler Hellcats. Schiele consistently advocates for full aftermarket chassis replacements from manufacturers like Art Morrison Enterprises or Roadster Shop.

• Track Width Calibration: Aligning wheel offset and track width to ensure aggressive stance without inner fender scrub at maximum steering lock.
• Suspension Geometry: Dialing in caster, camber curves, and roll centers to handle modern street performance requirements.
• Frame Boxing and Crossmember Reinforcement: Torsional rigidity checks prevent body flex, ensuring tight panel alignment stays intact under hard acceleration.

2. Custom Air Ride Systems and Management

Schiele is widely recognized for his expertise in custom air suspension setups. Integrating air ride requires balancing frame modifications with utility.

• Hardline Bending: Hand-bending seamless stainless steel or copper lines for air distribution networks rather than relying on flexible rubber hose setups.
• Management Tank Concealment: Recessing air tanks, compressors, and valve blocks into false floor trunks or custom belly pans to maintain clean body lines.
• Ride Height Calibration: Setting up electronic leveling modules (such as AccuAir e-Level systems) with dedicated height sensors mounted directly to suspension control arms.

3. Body Alignment and Metal Shaping

Achieving the trademark Kindig look requires extensive panel reshaping. Schiele supervises metal crafters in hand-forming aluminum and steel panels, shaving drip rails, recessing bumpers into the bodywork, and installing Kindig-it's patented Smooth Bar door handles. Panel gap standards are set at a strict 1/8-inch (3.17mm) uniform clearance across every hood, door, and trunk lid prior to paint preparation.

Technical Specifications: Kindig-it Builds vs. Standard Industry Practices

To understand the level of execution supervised by Kevin Schiele on Bitchin' Rides, it helps to contrast elite shop practices against standard aftermarket restomod workflows.

Practical Workshop Protocols: KevDogg’s Rules for Fabrication and Assembly

Over years of leading high-stakes vehicle builds, Schiele has established specific workshop protocols that ensure show cars perform reliably on long-distance cruises like the Hot Rod Power Tour while maintaining show-quality finish standards.

Chassis Alignment Protocol Never set final air suspension drop heights without calculating total wheel travel, steering rack sweep, and frame clearance under full inflation dump. Dynamic bump-steer checks must be completed prior to final body mounting to prevent tire contact with custom inner fenders.

TIG Welding and Sheet Metal Preparation All sheet metal butt-joints must be ground smooth on both sides and stress-relieved with a planishing hammer before filler application. Metal fabricators must clean panel surfaces with solvent and wire-brush TIG joints to ensure zero porosity in structural seams.

Dry Mock-Up Assembly Every custom build undergoes a complete "dry assembly" phase. The entire drivetrain, suspension, glass, exterior trim, and custom exhaust are installed and tested before a single coat of primer is applied. This eliminates the risk of drilling, cutting, or welding painted surfaces during final assembly.

Electrical Systems Isolation High-amperage audio components and modern fuel injection harnesses must be isolated from main chassis ground paths to prevent electromagnetic interference. Schiele mandates dedicated ground buses linked directly back to the main battery terminals using heavy-gauge copper welding cable.

Managing High-Stakes TV Builds: Operational Realities Beyond the Camera

While Bitchin' Rides highlights finished builds and comedic moments, the operational reality involves managing tight deadlines, strict client budgets, and complex logistics. Schiele's role requires balancing television production demands with actual automotive engineering standards.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | KEVIN SCHIELE'S SHOP MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | [RESOURCE ALLOCATION] --> Assigning specialized techs to body, paint, fab | | [TIMELINE CONTROL] --> Coordinating paint cure times with assembly schedules | | [QUALITY CONTROL] --> Rigorous point-by-point inspection at each milestone | | [PARTS ACQUISITION] --> Managing lead times for custom one-off CNC parts | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Managing team workflows requires assigning technicians to tasks based on their core strengths. For instance, specialized sheet metal fabricators focus strictly on shaping aluminum hood scoops or floor pans, while wiring experts build concealed engine harnesses. Schiele coordinates these sub-assemblies to prevent shop bottlenecks.

Quality control is another major responsibility. Before a vehicle leaves the shop floor for dynamic road testing, Schiele leads a multi-point inspection. This checklist covers torque specs on suspension control arms, brake fluid pressure checks, thermal imaging sweeps of cooling systems under load, and road testing to verify that air suspension management holds programmed height presets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kevin Schiele and Bitchin' Rides

What is Kevin Schiele's official role at Kindig-it Design?

Kevin Schiele is the Lead Shop Foreman at Kindig-it Design. He manages daily operations, directs the fabrication, paint, and assembly teams, oversees project timelines, and ensures build execution matches Dave Kindig's design concepts.

How long has Kevin Schiele worked alongside Dave Kindig?

Kevin Schiele joined Kindig-it Design in the early 2000s, shortly after Dave and Charity Kindig established the business. He has served as shop foreman for over two decades, helping grow the business from a local custom shop into an internationally known brand.

What specialized automotive engineering is Kevin Schiele known for?

Schiele is widely recognized for his expertise in air suspension design, custom frame modifications, chassis engineering, and stance tuning. He specializes in integrating modern suspension setups into vintage hot rods and classic trucks while keeping mechanical systems concealed.

Where is the Bitchin' Rides shop located, and can fans visit in 2026?

Kindig-it Design operates out of a facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The shop features a retail showroom and apparel store where fans can view completed builds, buy merchandise, and occasionally take guided shop tours during designated business hours.

What aftermarket suspension and chassis components does Schiele recommend?

Schiele frequently uses Art Morrison Enterprises frames, Roadster Shop chassis, AccuAir suspension controls, Ridetech coilovers and air shocks, and Baer or Wilwood disc brake setups due to their reliable performance, precise fitment, and structural strength.

Upgrading Your Custom Build Protocols

Succeeding in high-end automotive fabrication requires careful planning, structural engineering, and uncompromising attention to detail. Whether managing a garage build or running a commercial shop, adopting Kevin Schiele's practices—such as full dry-assembly mock-ups, strict panel gap controls, and proper chassis geometry—will elevate your vehicle projects to professional standards. Assess your project pipeline, implement rigorous quality checklists, and focus on clean mechanical execution to create builds that stand out anywhere.