In Star Wars, Storm Troopers were the goose-stepping Imperial soldiers dressed in all white. If there were real, they would probably choose to drive something like Jack Stanko's '09 Chevy Silverado 2500.
This '09 Silverado 2500 is complete in Storm Trooper trim with white paint and black accessories overhanging 40-inch Mud Grapplers
Fitting that much tire on any truck can be a challenge, so Jack turned to the professionals that had helped bring so many of his previous creations to life. These include Off Road Unlimited, Dynatrac, and Nate's Precision.
Off Road Unlimited was one of the originators of the Chevy solid-axle swap kits, so the choice to use their components on this project was an easy one. Nate's Precision scrapped the stock IFS components and replaced them with the ORU four link kit. This kit utilizes 2.5 King coilovers and King hydraulic bumpstops for excellent performance in all terrains and speeds. The coilovers are complimented by a four link geometry that uses urethane bushings for a quiet ride and long life.
The LQ9 engine is part of...
The LQ9 engine is part of Chevy's potent Gen III powerplants. These engines make 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. They are incredibly receptive to modifications too, so the power only goes up from there.
The Magnacharger supercharger replaces the factory intake manifold and comes complete with all necessary fuel system upgrades, electronics, and even an integrated water-to-air intercooler to keep the intake charge cool and dense. The system ups power to approximately 475 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque with most of the power coming right off idle.
Using a suspension like this with a junkyard axle wouldn't make any sense, so Jack had Nate's Precision sling a Dynatrac Dana 60 under the front of the Silverado. It still retains the factory ABS and stability control that come standard on new pickups. The factory 14 Bolt 10.5-inch rear axle was geared to match and a Detroit Locker was added for full time traction. "My last truck was a diesel, but no one made a locker for the larger 11.5-inch axle," Jack commented. "The rear locker makes a world of difference on the trail."
5.13 gears do a good job of turning the 40-inch Nitto tires, but you still need torque to get moving. After running Duramax diesel engines for years, Jack made the switch to the General's excellent LQ9 6.0L engine. "I liked the Duramax, but I wanted to try something different this time," Jack explained. Instead of spending the money starting with a diesel truck, Jack took the difference in cost between a diesel and a gas motor and had Folbeck 4WD install a Magnacharger supercharger for the 6.0L. This ups the power to approximately 475 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque-enough to roast the Nittos at will. The engine is backed by the factory six-speed automatic transmission, which helps fuel economy on the street by keeping the RPMs down. Still, a supercharged V-8 on 40-inch tires is not going to win over any Prius owners. Folbeck installed a 46-gallon Transfer Flow fuel tank to limit the number of awkward conversations that Jack has with pompous Prius owners while at the gas pump.
So is Jack content with his truck empire as it stands? "Well...actually, Nate's Precision is currently building me a solid axle Colorado with coilovers and 42-inch Pitbull Rockers," he confessed. At this rate it won't be long until he has his own Millennium Falcon, too.
 King 2.5 10-inch-travel coilovers...  King 2.5 10-inch-travel coilovers are used with King hydraulic bumpstops to suspend the front end. The ORU kit recommends using a dual-rate coil setup with 400-pound coils over 500-pound coils. This offers a better ride than the factory torsion bars. |  The front end was updated...  The front end was updated with a Rolling Big Power grille, Fab Fours front bumper, a Warn 16.5 Ti winch, and Anzo projection headlights to give the truck a menacing look while providing protection and extraction capabilities. |  An ARB mini compressor is...  An ARB mini compressor is mounted under the hood in front of the fuse box and powers the ARB Air Locker in the Dana 60 front axle. Also visible on the left are the coolant lines for the integrated water-to-air intercooler. |
 Fuel economy is not the Storm...  Fuel economy is not the Storm Trooper's strong point. To keep from having to fill up at every corner, Folbeck 4WD installed a Transfer Flow 46-gallon fuel tank in place of the stock tank. |  The rear axle is the factory...  The rear axle is the factory 10.5-inch AAM unit with a Detroit Locker, 5.13 gears, and an Off Road Unlimited diff cover. Atlas leaf springs match the lift height of the front coilovers while the King 2.5 remote reservoir shocks control the heavy truck over uneven terrain. |  The front axle is a Dynatrac...  The front axle is a Dynatrac Pro Series Dana 60 with 35-spline axleshafts, 5.13 gears, an ARB Air Locker, and Warn hubs. The axle is directed by Off Road Unlimited crossover steering that utilizes a hydraulic ram on the tie rod for easy turning. |
 Nate's Precision installed...  Nate's Precision installed the Off Road Unlimited four-link with a panhard bar that runs parallel to the drag link to eliminate bumper steer. The upper control arms are tucked within the framerails and the lower control arms go all the way back to the tubular transfer case crossmember. The links are built from 0.250 wall DOM tubing and fitted with urethane bushings for low noise and a smooth ride. |  Jack uses his truck to explore...  Jack uses his truck to explore the trails around his home of Reno, Nevada, with the whole family riding in comfort. With 40-inch tires, a supercharged 6.0L engine, and lockers in both axles, the only limitation is where the truck will fit without body damage.
Notice how well the 40s stuff into the wheelwells? Jack had Car Body Repair in Burbank, California, massage the bed and fenders to significantly increase tire clearance while still giving a stock appearance, with the factory rolled steel lip and inner fenders. |  The rolling stock consists...  The rolling stock consists of 40x15.5R20 Nitto Mud Grapplers wrapped around 20x10 BMF Novakane rims. The center bore of the rim fit over the Warn hubs on the front Dynatrac Dana 60 axle. |
 Jack added AMP Research steps...  Jack added AMP Research steps to a lifted truck years ago and has used them on everything he has owned since that time. The steps allow the whole family to easily access the Silverado, even with the big Nittos. |  The taillights are Anzo LED...  The taillights are Anzo LED models that match the headlights up front. Also note the stainless Silverline dual exhaust that exits at each rear corner of the truck.
The Fab Fours rear bumper is constructed from 3/8-inch steel and powdercoated in black. Nate's Precision modified the bumper to accept the factory back-up sensors. | |