Driving is one of the highly taxed freedoms we have here in the States. In the metropolitan areas, traffic can significantly affect the driving experience; yet there is an unforeseen pleasure in driving through moderate traffic in a lifted truck. Everyone loves to watch people and the strange things they do, and from high up, it's hard not to look. You can see everything: from brake lights at 2,000 feet to a nasal cavity adventure starring Index Finger, not to mention short skirts and low-cut blouses. We don't know who originally thought of either pieces of clothing, but thank you. Let's face it: observing the human race can be as equally entertaining as a bottle of Jack at a bachelor party.
Michael Huemoller's truck has headlights in your rearview mirror that are so high, they don't bother you - they just go right over the cab of your Honda. Michael bought his '03 HD and decided to give the heavy hauler a lift so he could be as high as his friends (although a bad heroin addiction would have been cheaper). A trip down to CVN Motorsports, a little discussion about a 14-inch lift, and a large down payment got the ball under way.
The techs at CVN tore into the 4x4 and installed Full Throttle's 12-inch lift kit with 2-inch torsion keys up front. Out back is a full custom Cyclone three-link setup with big triple-convoluted airbags that allow the back to rise 28 inches above the stock ride height. Dual Fox shocks on the front corners control the massive torsion bars' movement. Long-travel rear shocks extend to accommodate the airbag suspension extension. Weld 16.5x12-inch Stone Crushers rims are mounted to TSL's 42-inch Super Swampers. All the suspension components were sanded and shot in Candy Blue to accent the bitchin' suspension work that supports the heavy hauler.
When you're tired of people-watching, the Crew Cab has other means of entertainment. This is where Michael got serious about performance. He went to the guys at AS Kustomz in La Habra, California, for the audio and video enhancements. A Kenwood head unit feeds not only the amps' sound, but also a 7-inch swiveling Accelevision monitor. The two Bazooka P. Miller amps take in the low-impedance frequencies and pump the mid and high frequencies into two pairs of Bazooka 6.5-inch splits. All the low notes are handled by four Bazooka T-11 Tri subs that are mounted in a custom enclosure behind the rear seats.
Advanced Specialties in La Habra, California, enhanced the stock upholstery. Blue was inlaid in the seats, door panels, and dash. Other detail work includes a Dakota Digital air pressure gauge, Line-X spray-in bedliner, and vinyl flames laid over the dark-gray body that match the blue throughout the truck.
The Crew Cab sports the gas-guzzling 496ci big-block. Breathing through a 3.5-inch behind-convertor exhaust, the big slugs in the 8.1L get the engine to produce 340 hp and 450 lb-ft. The 4:10 gears with 42-inch tires equal: "If it ain't fast, chrome it." Luckily, it has an Allison tranny, or Michael would need to replace the transmission each time the oil gets changed. But, hey, at least it looks bitchin'.
Specifications
Owner
Michael Huemoller
Year/Make/Model
'03 Chevy 2500 Hd 4x4
Engine
8.1l (496 Ci)
Suspension
Front: Full Throttle 12-Inch Lift
Rear: Cvn Motorsports Links And 'Bags
Wheels/Tires
Weld 16.5x12-Inch Stone Crushers/Interco Tsl 42x15x16.5 Super Swampers