This month's cover truck literally defines the term in your face. However, there's much more to Shawn Gibson's radically modified Chevy than appearance; the '01 Heavy Duty Crew Cab is thoroughly equipped with underpinnings that deliver a level of on-dirt prowess that perfectly complement the big Bow Tie's customized body.
Obviously, Shawn's tricked 4x4 is no low-buck effort; from top to bottom, the Corona, California-based behemoth sports high-dollar and scratch-built components chosen and fabricated as much for function as for their style and visual impact.
Let's first examine the truck's suspension. To achieve the nosebleed ride height Shawn desired, the OE IFS front suspension was scrapped in favor of the off-road-proven straight axle design, which was provided by Off Road Unlimited. Although accurately described as a kit, installing the ORU system requires extensive chassis surgery, as the HD's control arms and most of the steering system are summarily removed before the solid axle swap can proceed. Compounding the degree of difficulty in creating this wild 3500-Series truck is the fact that Shawn's ride rolled off the GM assembly line not as a 4x4 but as a 2WD dualie. Nonetheless, Feurst Engineering in Ramona, California, went on the attack, positioning the new ORU leaf spring hangers and subsequently installing ORU-spec 16-inch lifted spring packs from National Spring. With the truck sufficiently sky'd, Feurst installed a hell-for-strong Dana 60 axle. Next, ORU's trick crossover steering linkage was installed because Shawn's ultimate plan called for the use of 44-inch-tall tires, and the ORU steering system is the only reliable manner by which to ensure accurate steering when running such huge meats.
While Feurst Engineering was getting the steering and front drivetrain dialed, it found time to fab a set of shock hoops, which were then filled with Sway-A-Way Race Runner dampers equipped with remote reservoirs. Moving to the rear of the truck's chassis, Feurst Engineering again took on a series of extensive upgrades, starting with the removal of the dual rear wheels and tires and the installation of the parts required to run a single, albeit massive, tire and wheel at each end of the 1-ton axle. The stout 14-bolt GM rear axle supports 16-inch-lift National Spring spring packs, which are controlled by Sway-A-Way dampers with piggyback reservoirs and are attached to custom mounts fabbed by Feurst. To control axle wrap on both the front and rear axles, Feurst whipped up a functional set of traction links, which use massive non-binding spherical bearings at the front and rear mounting points. To complete the series of extensive mods, Feurst Engineering swapped in a 4x4 crossmember and installed a NP 205 T-case (divorced style) behind the lightly modified 6.6L Duramax Diesel V-8 engine.
With a majority of the functional aspects of the chassis complete, Shawn turned his focus to the cosmetic factor of his HD. Most of the drivetrain and suspemsion components were removed and sent out for specialized coating. Electro Tech Powder Coating in San Marcos, California, handled the red powdercoat on the spring packs and the axle housings, while Foss Plating Company in Santa Fe Springs, California, applied a shiny coating to the traction links and assorted undercarriage goodies.
By now, you're aware that Shawn went all out on the Chevy's sheetmetal. New Image Auto Body in Temecula, California, was chosen to perform most of the base mods, including the shaving of the body trim and molding, which was followed by the spraying of the fire engine-red paint. With the HD's basecoat in place, the truck was hauled to Anaheim, California, where Steve Vandemon of Absolutely Custom Paint laid down the fiery graphics using House of Color Pearl Orange and Yellow paint highlighted by Silver Metallic pinstripes.
With such radically extensive modifications showcased on the Chevy's undercarriage and body, it would be a shame to leave the OE interior intact. Shawn didn't disappoint, directing that a full array of comfort and entertainment accessories be installed inside the cabin. Mike Cox of Professional Auto Sound in Westlake Village, California, was responsible for the custom upgrades to the Bow Tie's interior seats and panels. The seats were covered in charcoal-colored leather that's accented with hand-stitched red flames, while the door panels and headliner received tweed covering in a graphite hue, replete with matching flames.