Hard Work - 1997 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed - I Beam

Hard Work 1997 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed 97 Chevrolet 2500 Jumping

Like a great number of us, Chris Ovrebo started fabricating in his garage building bumpers and light bars for his previous Ford Ranger. Soon, he began working on his friends’ trucks, which lead to building bed cages and suspensions. Currently living in northern Colorado via the Air Force, Chris is originally from Southern California where he spent most of his off-road time running around the sand playground known as Glamis. Sadly, during the big Glamis weekend of Thanksgiving 2006, Chris suffered a broken back going just a touch too big flying over the dunes. The accident led him to being medically discharged from the military, and shortly after he relocated to Colorado.

Hard Work 1997 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed Stock Vortec 350Ci V8

The stock Vortec 350ci V-8 is still running strong with over 200,000 miles racked up. The only additional horsepower modifications are a custom-built Home Depot cold air induction using a K&N filter as well as a dual 3-inch exhaust using a Flowmaster 40 Series muffler. The stock 4L80E transmission was given firmer shift points using a Power Programmer system.

The stock Vortec 350ci V-8 is still running strong with over 200,000 miles racked up. The

He had no intention of letting all that keep him from the dunes. Searching online for his next project truck, he located a ’97 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed truck with 173,000 miles on it that belonged to an underground drilling company used as a load hauling truck. When he went to pickup the truck, the drilling company didn’t have the original pink slip, but he decided to take the truck home anyway. After searching for seven months, he was able to track down the original owner and obtain a proper pink slip to transfer the title.

Enthusiasts like Chris are what OFF-ROAD Magazine is all about; hardworking guys who get their hands dirty and don’t let anything stop them from achieving their goals. When he submitted photos of his truck and we heard his story, we knew it had to be shared. Chris built this ’97 Chevy in his garage using years of trial-and-error engineering, some back-breaking labor (bad pun—sorry, Chris), and a ton of heart to put this truck together.

Hard Work 1997 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed E 150 I Beams

No, the ’97 Chevy didn’t come with I-beams. After years of working on Ford Ranger suspensions, Chris took his knowledge and applied it to his Chevy with the use of E-150 beams using modified 7/8-inch king pin ends, 1.75-inch DOM steel tube and 3/16-inch plate. The stock pitman arm was also modified to accept heim joints. Chris also designed and built the dual swing-set steering setup.

No, the ’97 Chevy didn’t come with I-beams. After years of working on Ford Ranger suspensi

And that’s always more fun to read about, isn’t it? As cool as the multi-hundred-thousand dollar trucks are, most of us can relate to countless hours of pain-in-the-ass work on our own trucks and the pride that comes with knowing that you turned the wrenches to bring your creation to life.

Specs

Vehicle:	’97 Chevrolet 2500 Long Bed
Owner:	Chris Ovrebo
Chassis:	Shortened 2500 chassis, 1.75-inch DOM full rollcage
Engine:	Vortec 350ci V-8, K&N air filter, Flowmaster muffler
Drivetrain:	E-150 Ford 9-inch, Powertrack locker, 4.88 gears, 31-spline axles
Suspension:	Front E-150 beams, rear custom three-link, King coilovers, Bilstein bypasses, F.O.A. airbumps
Steering:	Dual swing-set, Grant wheel
Brakes:	Front E-150, rear GM 1/2-ton
Tires/wheels:	Hercules 315/75R16, BFG KM2 spares
Other Parts:	Jaz fuel cell, Kragen 7-inch HID lights, Simpson belts, JC Whitney seats, Hannemann fiberglass
Favorite Off-Road Area:	Glamis

King 2.5 dual-rate coilovers and F.O.A. 2.5 airbumps allow the front end to travel 18 inches. Front brakes were pulled out of a stock E-150 Ford van and the rears are from a GM 1/2-ton truck. He has also deleted the stock ABS system for increased Off-road braking performance.
King 2.5 dual-rate coilovers and F.O.A. 2.5 airbumps allow the front end to travel 18 inch
Over the past few years, Chris has entered his truck in various Tuff Truck competitions. He hasn’t brought home any trophies yet, but he is still out there trying when he gets the time. Keeping everything up to specifications, the entire chassis of the truck was built using 1.75-inch DOM tube. A small portion of the stock frame remains in front; the rear has been removed after the cab to allow room for the three-link.
Over the past few years, Chris has entered his truck in various Tuff Truck competitions. H
Chris found his Ford 9-inch rear axle housing in a junkyard that was pulled from a ’87 E-150. He then beefed it up with gussets and loaded it with 4.88 gears, a Powertrax Lock Right locker, and 31-spline axles.
Chris found his Ford 9-inch rear axle housing in a junkyard that was pulled from a ’87 E-1

The 32-gallon Jaz fuel cell is seated between a pair of BFG Mud Terrain KM2 spare tires. Chris is running Hercules Terra Trac tires on the truck currently, though. Behind the fuel cell positioned to push more weight to the rear is a pair of battery boxes. One is loaded with an Optima Red Top and the other contains an Autozone marine battery.
The 32-gallon Jaz fuel cell is seated between a pair of BFG Mud Terrain KM2 spare tires. C
Seated between the custom center console is a pair of JC Whitney Garage Fab Series seats with a third in the back. All seats are using Simpson five-point belts. Chris also added a fire extinguisher above the passenger’s head, Radio Shack CB unit, Pioneer audio system and JL Audio speakers.
Seated between the custom center console is a pair of JC Whitney Garage Fab Series seats w
Hannemann 5-inch-wider-per-side fiberglass fenders and bedsides provide ample protection and clearance for the 315/75R16 tires. Chris also shortened the bed length to use the shortbed-style bedsides. Five 7-inch Kragen HID lights are located above the windshield on a removable light bar to keep everything in sight especially coming up and over dunes at night.
Hannemann 5-inch-wider-per-side fiberglass fenders and bedsides provide ample protection a

The rear suspension uses a triangulated three-link that allows the rear end to swing a full 26 inches. King 2.5 dual-rate coilovers and Bilstein 2.5 quadruple-bypass shocks keep travel in line and F.O.A. 2.5 bumpstops keep landings in check.
The rear suspension uses a triangulated three-link that allows the rear end to swing a ful