We ran into Marvin and his '99 Chevy 1500 Silverado during the Sand Sports Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds. His truck was parked in the lot with a "For Sale" sign on it. We gave him a ring and found out that although he is in love with his truck, it's time to create something new. He mentioned something about his fiance wanting to move forward but we didn't press him too hard on that. Fortunately, we got to spend a little time with Marvin in Lucerne Valley, California, cruising around the old SCORE race course. His truck made light work of the course and provided some great shots.
 Trailer Products provided...  Trailer Products provided the front and rear fiberglass. Marvin tells us the front clip is actually made for race trucks and needed to be modified to fit properly. Most race trucks run a set back engine, Marvin's is in its stock location, which meant he needed to cut a few inches off the mounting skirts. Eleganze Auto Paint and Body in Santa Ana, California, is responsible for the metallic blue paint job. |  Marvin's front suspension...  Marvin's front suspension is a modified version of Blitzkrieg Motorsports Chevy Kit. This entire truck including the suspension was built by Marvin. He modified certain parts of Blitzkrieg's products to make them work how he saw fit. For example, the spindle on this Chevy is not part of the standard kit, Marvin custom fabricated it himself. The front suspension uses King 2.5-inch coilovers and King 2.5-inch bypass shocks. Travel is limited at 19 inches. Front track width measures 93 3/4 inches. The suspension provided 5 Inches of lift height but can be adjusted via the coilovers. |  A new spindle was fabricated...  A new spindle was fabricated to achieve full suspension droop travel. According to Marvin, this setup is perfect for his driving style and needs. This truck is meant to go fast in the desert, and bulletproof suspension is a must to assure you can do it problem free. Marvin kept the stock steering rack but swapped out the connections with 7/8- and 3/4-inch heims and clevises. |
 A few must-haves for any prerunner...  A few must-haves for any prerunner are a solid GPS system and race radio. This Chevy is running a Lowrance Baja 540c color GPS and PCI Race Radios Roadmaster radio system for communications.... |  ...Marvin even added a mini...  ...Marvin even added a mini DVD system for some in-flight entertainment. The dash is also something you won't find on store shelves: Marvin fabricated it himself from aluminum. |  These 37-inch Baja T/A Project...  These 37-inch Baja T/A Project race tires were added to the truck and wrapped around Robby Gordon 17-inch bead lock wheels. Marvin had a good size chunk taken out of one tire's sidewall but because of the thickness of the race tire it did not effect it one bit. These tires are heavy, but well worth it if you can push them. |
 There is no doubt about it,...  There is no doubt about it, this truck is meant to go fast. Fast means protection is a must. A nice spider web design under the roof assures that the truck will not cave in if it happens to roll over. The entire chassis was made using 1 3/4-inch chromoly and DOM tube. |  Tucked in the corner of the...  Tucked in the corner of the cab is an Optima Red-Top battery. |  Marvin mounted a spare steering...  Marvin mounted a spare steering rack to the cab cage after busting one into pieces prerunning in Baja. Front seats are Beard Ultra Pro and the rear is a PRP 38-inch bench. All seating is strapped with Crow Harnesses. |
 Marvin kept most of the stock...  Marvin kept most of the stock frame to assure reliability of the truck and ease of maintenance.... |  ....He created a custom four-link...  ....He created a custom four-link rear suspension that utilizes a C-notch frame design to clear the axle through its entire travel. The rear shocks include King 2.5-inch coilovers and 3-inch bypass shocks..... |  .... King hydraulic air bumps...  .... King hydraulic air bumps are also in use. The travel is limited with straps to 26 inches. |
 With the stock bed floor removed,...  With the stock bed floor removed, Marvin needed to create a space to carry his camping gear, tools and refreshments. A rear-mounted storage compartment was built into the rear cage work. Additions like this really make a project stand out. The compartment is large, easy to get to, and locks for security. |  Under the hood is a small...  Under the hood is a small block Chevy 350 pushing just over 350 horsepower and 400ftlbs or torque. Marvin kept most of the performance parts mild for reliability and to also help keep costs down. He has added an AEM intake, Hypertech programmer, Bosch fuel pump, dual Mr. Muffler mufflers, Doug Thorley headers and dual electric fans. An upper support brace was added and is removable in case the engine needs to be pulled out. |  A Currie Enterprises Prerunner...  A Currie Enterprises Prerunner series 9-inch housing is found in the rear under a Racer X fuel safe 41-gallon tank.... |
 ....The rear is stuffed with...  ....The rear is stuffed with 35-spline axles and 5.00 ratio gears. |  Five Hella Rallye 4000 lights...  Five Hella Rallye 4000 lights have been added to a roof mounted removeable light bar. When the light bar is not needed Marvin can simply unbolt it from the cage and store it. Driving with the lights up all the time, especially on the freeway, does horrible things to your gas mileage. We had it up for the photos but usually it only makes an appearance at night. |  |