For kickin' sounds, the audio pros at Goins Automotive Group were called in. The Tempe, Arizona-based sound experts assembled and installed a premium entertainment system featuring a Blaupunkt head unit, multiple Blaupunkt amplifiers, a quartet of triangle-shaped Bazooka subwoofers, and multiple mid-woofers and tweeters strategically placed in the door panels and dash. For visual entertainment, and to keep an eye on tailgaters, Goins installed Santeca video monitors in the back of the headrests and a rearview monitor in place of the interior rearview mirror.
With the truck complete, Shawn set off for the HD's first major show, the '02 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where onlookers were stunned at the 4x4's level of build quality and detail. What they didn't see was Shawn throttling the showy Chevy for the lens of Wes Allison during our cover shoot, slithering the HD through the mud during a rare, rainy SoCal day, and apparently loving every minute of it. As we watched Shawn get the HD buried, we remarked what a refreshing change it was to see a show-worthy truck actually being used for 'wheeling in a manner that threw caution to the wind. We'd further observe that this truck proves beyond a doubt that Shawn's blueprint for a 4x4, which would exhibit equal parts show and go, was solid. Moreover, this 4x4 drives home the fact that stylish looks and true off-road performance are certainly not mutually exclusive concepts, at least not on a vehicle modified by a dedicated and clever enthusiast like Shawn Gibson.
Specifications
Owner/hometown:
Shawn Gibson/Corona, California
Vehicle:
'01 Chevrolet Heavy Duty 2WD dualie converted to 4WD with single rear wheels
Suspension:
Off Road Unlimited solid axle conversion, 16-inch lift National Spring leaf packs, two Sway-A-Way Race Runner dampers per wheel on custom shock hoops (front); 16-inch lift National Spring leaf packs with one Sway-A-Way Race Runner damper per wheel on custom mounts.
Transmission/transfer case:
Allison five-speed automatic/New Process 205
Axles:
Dana 60 (front); GM Corporate 14-bolt (rear), both with 4.10:1 gear ratio
Wheels:
16.5x12-inch Weld Stone Crusher
Tires:
44x18.50x16.5-inch Super Swamper
Engine:
6.6L Duramax Diesel with BD Power Chip and Gibson stainless steel exhaust
Other modifications:
Custom front valance with '00 Silverado headlights by Pro-Design; Stull Industries billet grille inserts; Kodiak Side Winder steps (extended); Line-X bed liner.