Over the last five years or so, we’ve seen a popular shift from 2WD to 4WD when choosing what platform to build a long-travel prerunner. We’ve been around long enough to remember guys ripping their T-cases and front diffs out of their Toyotas to make long-travel 2WD prerunners, and we can’t say that we’re going to miss those days. Four-wheel drive allows a vehicle to excel in conditions where traction is an issue—which is a whole heck of a lot of places when you’re in the dirt. Granted, you can more easily (and cheaply) attain a greater amount of travel in a 2WD truck than with one equipped with front CV shafts, but the added benefit of a pulling front end can be mighty attractive to the average truck enthusiast. This bright red GMC Sierra 4X4 is a perfect example of a long-travel suspension achieved with a four-wheel drive truck. Originally built by Dixon Bros, it’s brimming with innovative design and superb fabrication but most of that was lost to the average observer. The long-travel front suspension and Deaver F87 leaf springs are damped by a bevy of Fox Shox to give a plush ride and the Superchipped 5.3L,V-8 sounds great when the solenoid on the exhaust cutout is opened up and the throttle is pushed but the truck was lacking the visual “pop” to go with the stellar mechanicals. Originally painted the sand desert tan color, the GMC’s exterior was revamped after owner Erich McCoy and his father spent an unforgettable weekend around some exotic Italian rides. The minute Erich got behind the wheel of a bright red Ferrari he knew his truck needed the same blazing red color if he was going to get people to notice his truck. Now instead of blending in with the dirt, Erich is blazing through the desert in more ways than one. The deep red color really brings the truck alive and compliments the perfectly proportioned look of the curving fiberglass body panels. Erich wanted a truck that looked as good as it ran and that’s exactly what he’s got. The Dixon Bros. kit uses an ingenious bracket that braces the factory spindle, increases its height and allows the upper A-arm to articulate on a beefy uniball.The Dixon Bros. kit uses an ingenious bracket that braces the factory spindle, increases i The perfectly-fitting shock tower brace ties the front suspension together and looks great at the same time.The perfectly-fitting shock tower brace ties the front suspension together and looks great The exhaust system has a solenoid-operated turn-out that opens the exhaust just ahead of the single chamber Flowmaster muffler that gives this truck a deep muscular tone.The exhaust system has a solenoid-operated turn-out that opens the exhaust just ahead of t A set of 37-inch Pro Comp Xtreme All-Terrain tires give plenty of traction and the 17-inch KMC Diesel wheels offer strength and good looks.A set of 37-inch Pro Comp Xtreme All-Terrain tires give plenty of traction and the 17-inch The bed cage has the function and good looks that Dixon Bros. is known for and still allows room in the bed for plenty of gear and supplies for a long weekend.The bed cage has the function and good looks that Dixon Bros. is known for and still allow The trimmed rear fiberglass fenders line up with the clean rear bumper fitted with an aluminum dimple-died panel.The trimmed rear fiberglass fenders line up with the clean rear bumper fitted with an alum The color-matched Super-Liner bed coating wraps up and over the fenders for added protection.The color-matched Super-Liner bed coating wraps up and over the fenders for added protecti The gas filler is neatly tucked away under the flared rear fender adding to the clean uncluttered look of the truck.The gas filler is neatly tucked away under the flared rear fender adding to the clean uncl The front end is dominated by the beautiful vertical billet grille and custom bumper with a dimple-died skidplate that matches the rear bumper.The front end is dominated by the beautiful vertical billet grille and custom bumper with The way the bumper follows the curves of the front grille shows the Dixon Bros. craftsmanship found throughout this GMC.The way the bumper follows the curves of the front grille shows the Dixon Bros. craftsmans The front suspension is brimming with properly engineered components that allow 13 inches of travel while retaining the front drive. Boxed sheetmetal lower arms, tubular uppers, Fox 2.5 coilover and bypass shocks with remote reservoirs, Light Racing Jounce stops, and beefed up tie-rods with Heim ends are all top notch.The front suspension is brimming with properly engineered components that allow 13 inches Fox 2.5 bypass shocks mount directly on top of the Deaver F-87 leaf springs to control the movement of the factory axle stuffed with 4:11 gears and an Eaton limited slip differential, just like the front.Fox 2.5 bypass shocks mount directly on top of the Deaver F-87 leaf springs to control the Specs Vehicle: 2005 GMC Sierra 4X4 Owner/Hometown: Erich McCoy/San Diego, California Engine: 5.3L GM V-8 Transmission: Factory 4L60E Automatic. Transfercase: Factory two-speed. Front Diff: Eaton Posi 4:11 Gears. Rear Diff: Eaton Posi 4:11 Gears. Front Suspension: Custom Dixon Bros. fabricated upper and lower arms, Fox 2.5 coilover and bypass shocks. Light Racing Jounce shocks, heavy-duty tie rods with Heim ends, 13 inches of travel Rear Suspension: Deaver F-87 Leaf Springs, Fox 2.5 Bypass Shocks. Tires: 37x17 ProComp Xtreme All-Terrains. Wheels: KMC Diesel, 17x10. polished trim rings. Special Features: Solenoid-operated exhaust cut-out, Flowmaster single chamber muffler, Dixon Bros. bedcage, front and rear bumpers, dimple-died skidplate, front shock tower brace, aluminum Inner wheel wells. Optima Yellow Top battery, K&N Filtercharger, Superchips tuner By Mike Ingalsbee Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
