Look up the word enthusiast, and you'll probably see John Boggio of Upland, California, staring at you from behind the wheel of his '01 Chevrolet 1500 2WD prerunner that was four years in the making. Built as a multipurpose vehicle that John could take to Glamis one weekend and prerun for Chris Robinson's CST Trophy Truck team the next, no expense was spared in creating this red wonder. However, one of the rig's most intriguing features, amidst all of the high-tech suspension components and fabrication work, is its powerplant. It began life as a 6.0L GM Vortech V-8 that was bored and stroked by Keith Craft Motorsports of Plano, Texas, to a displacement of 408 cid that puts out a staggering 460 hp via a Holley HP950 four-barrel carburetor and MSD ignition and distributor system that was engineered by Wegner Motorsports of Markesan, Wisconsin. A custom-built 4L80 race-modified transmission with a TSC torque converter built by Culhane's Racing Transmissions of Lake Elsinore, California, is a perfect match to the engine. "I wanted an engine and transmission setup that I could work on and perform the maintenance to wherever I may be," explained John for his choice of carbureted versus fuel injection for the truck. So there you have it: a prerunner built for speed, style, and serviceability that will go virtually anywhere its owner wants it to go. If we didn't know any better, we would have thought the race numbers were stripped from the truck. A full complement of Glassworks Unlimited and Trailer Products fiberglass panels shroud the truck along with the multicoat Sikkens Victory Red paintjob by Fracture Paint of Upland, California.If we didn't know any better, we would have thought the race numbers were stripped from th The interior of the prerunner has been fully caged with 4130 chrome-moly tubing that has been concealed by the interior's upholstery and headliner that was made by Lil J's Custom Upholstery in Riverside, California. Three PRP race seats were also reupholstered in matching fabric for a show-stopping look. Crow Enterprises five-point race harnesses complete the race feel and provide the much-needed restraint that is associated with the 460 horses that are on tap.The interior of the prerunner has been fully caged with 4130 chrome-moly tubing that has b Looking more like it belongs in a Trophy Truck than in a prerunner, only the best instruments and components grace the dash. A Vintage Air A/C and heating system provides the much-needed creature comforts when in Glamis and other hot spots of the desert. A 10-inch Lowrance GPS unit is nestled between the Auto Meter Sport-Comp gauges and Icom F121 VHF race radio. The center console sports a PCI Race Radios 4 Link Pro Intercom and various switches that have all been fused and wired just like a Trophy Truck by Jax Motorsports of Las Vegas, Nevada. An Art Carr transmission shifter and iPod complete the console.Looking more like it belongs in a Trophy Truck than in a prerunner, only the best instrume The rolling stock consists of 17x8 Center Line Champ XL rims with OMF beadlocks. They are wrapped in 37x12.50-17 BFGoodrich Baja T/A tires, which are attached to Cone racing hubs. Stopping the massive tire-and-wheel combination are six-piston Wilwood disc brakes.The rolling stock consists of 17x8 Center Line Champ XL rims with OMF beadlocks. They are Dual spare tires have been placed at the rear of the truck for easy access in the event there is a tire failure. Also housed in the rear is a 30-gallon Fuel Safe fuel cell that has been encased in a custom-built fuel tank.Dual spare tires have been placed at the rear of the truck for easy access in the event th The front and rear suspension components were custom-built by hand by world-class fabricator Matt Walrath Designs of Rancho Cucamonga, California. Longtime readers may recognize Matt's name and fabrication from his previous work on Off-Road's Project Super Duty rear bedcage and bumpers. Each front upper and lower A-arm has been built with a combination of 4130 chrome-moly tubing and plate steel. Doubled-up Pyrotect limiting straps help protect the suspension from overexerting itself on those high jumps. The steering components were also custom-built and are comprised of a Lee Manufacturing power-steering pump, a Saginaw steering rack, and an aluminum Howe power-steering-fluid reservoir.The front and rear suspension components were custom-built by hand by world-class fabricat Each of the front corners of the truck feature King race shocks that have been installed in a tandem configuration of one 2.5-inch coilover unit and one 2.5-inch bypass shock, both 12 inches in length for a total of 19 inches of wheel travel. The rear shocks follow the same tandem configuration as the front but have been upsized to include 3-inch bypass and 2.5-inch coilover units that are 18 inches in length. The rear wheel travel is a staggering 28 inches. King 2-inch bumpstops have also been installed at each corner.Each of the front corners of the truck feature King race shocks that have been installed i Being the serious prerunner that it is, PWR aluminum race radiators, a Speedway Engineering sway bar, and other essential components of the vehicle's operating system have been installed where the bed usually sits. To cover all of the components, Cutting Edge Aluminum Fabrication of Riverside, California, fabricated the incredible 16-gauge aluminum cowl and air, powdercoated the components. Residing atop the cowl are five Hella Rallye 4000 HID lights mounted on a moveable frame, that upon the flip of a switch, rise to the occasion.Being the serious prerunner that it is, PWR aluminum race radiators, a Speedway Engineerin Matt Walrath Designs also fashioned the intricate system of tubing and fasteners that secures the bedsides onto the truck. On the passenger side of the vehicle, a prerunner jack is in place, while on the driver side, an air bottle resides for airing up the BFGs or running air tools.Matt Walrath Designs also fashioned the intricate system of tubing and fasteners that secu A TubeWorks 10-inch rearend replaced the factory GM rear axle. Some of the custom touches the new rearend contains are 5.41 gears, 40-spline axleshafts, and 4130 chrome-moly tube and plate trussing performed by C&D Fabrication of Hesperia, California. Delivering the power to the axle is a custom-built 1350 driveshaft that was fabricated by Inland Driveline of Ontario, California.A TubeWorks 10-inch rearend replaced the factory GM rear axle. Some of the custom touches Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
