Tuckin’ Large Wheels on a Static Drop

In the great state of Texas everything seems to be bigger, from the portions of food to this full-size ’13 GMC Sierra. Why have a regular cab when you can fix up a spacious crew cab? The bigger real estate allowed Salvador Gonzales of Houston to give his GMC Sierra his own custom touch. As the owner of Dream Autowerx, Sal and his brother Rolando had much to prove when they decided to use this vehicle as a shop truck to show off their work.

WITH SUCH AN ELEGANT EXTERIOR, THE INTERIOR HAD TO BE UPDATED WITH NEW COLOR. FROM THE GAUGES TO THE CAPTAIN SEATS, NOTHING WAS LEFT UNTOUCHED WHEN ENRIQUE’S UPHOLSTERY OF PASADENA STITCHED UP THE INTERIOR.”

A solid foundation, or should I say, a new-off-the-dealer-lot truck, made it easier to build this ride in no time. With low on Sal’s mind, the first stop was back to his suspension shop. The truck received a 10- and 12-inch static drop. To achieve this, the rear suspension was modified to include a C-notch and the axle housing was shortened. New heavy-duty Moser axles were machined to accommodate the 9 inches that were trimmed from the factory limited slip housing. The front suspension received high- tech McGaughy’s drop spindles, DJM lowering springs and A-arms. Once all of the suspension was dialed in, sheet metal tubs were built to house the massive 26- and 28-inch MHT Wheels combo. Once the metal tubs and bridge cover were completed, they were protected with Rhino Lining and painted to match the exterior of the truck.

The perfect body made it easy for the team at Drastic Changez of Pasadena, Texas to do their magic and accomplish this immaculate candy red finish that flows from the rear HD bumper cover to the front painted and shaved grille. While at the paint shop, Sal took advantage of their painting skills and had them also paint the interior pieces, including the dash, center console and door panels. These pieces, along with some of the truck’s exterior, received a touch of pinstriping by Pablo’s Pinstriping of the South Texas. This striping was done freehand and complements the body lines of the stylish and elegant PPG Candy Red paint finish.

TO ACCENT ALL OF THE PAINTED COMPONENTS, SAL ADDED BILLET ACCESSORIES AND A BORLA EXHAUST SYSTEM TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BREATHE MORE EFFICIENTLY.”

With a new 5.3L V-8, there was no worry about reliability because this rugged rig could pull its weight and then some. As the build progressed, Sal knew that the engine compartment couldn’t stay stock. With custom fender wells dressing up the engine compartment, Sal knew that he had to track down a Camaro engine cover that would be fitted to the high-rise intake. The wiring was also hidden and rerouted to clean up the engine compartment. To accent all of the painted components, Sal added billet accessories and a Borla exhaust system to allow the engine to breathe more efficiently.

With such an elegant exterior, the interior had to be updated with new color. From the gauges to the captain seats nothing was left untouched when Enrique’s Upholstery of Pasadena stitched up the interior. The two-week job included the suede headliner. The OEM cloth seats were updated with a peanut butter-colored leather finish featuring an elegant double stitch. The subtle interior was just right for Sal because he didn’t want to detract too much from the truck’s exterior.

For now, Sal is content because the 1 ½-year project allows him to attend truck shows and events. The Draztic Truckin member says that plans for the future include a whole new frame so that the full-size can lay out on the rockers while still tucking the 26 and 28 wheel combo. ST

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNERS

Salvador Gonzalez
2013 GMC, Sierra crew cab
Houston, Texas Drastik Truckin

ENGINE

• 5.3 V-8 engine
• Camaro intake cover
• Spectre Performance air cleaner
• Billet accessories and painted pieces
• Stock components relocated to clean up engine bay
• 4L60E transmission
• Borla exhaust

SUSPENSION

• 10/12 Static drop
• McGaughy’s drop spindles
• DJM lowering springs and A-arms
• Rear C-notch
• Rear lowering shackles, flip kit and adjustable lowering blocks
• Rearend shortened 9 inches with 4.11:1 gears
• Moser axles

WHEELS & TIRES

• MHT Tuckin’ Series El Rey U459 26 and 28 wheels in raw polish with high-luster polished windows
• 275/25R26 Toyo and 295/25R28 Diablo

BODY & PAINT

• Three stage PPG candy paint
• Shaved grille
• HD rear bumper
• Freehand pinstriping
• Rhino Lining in the bed
• Custom wheel tubs and rear notch cover

INTERIOR

• Painted dash, center console and door panels.
• Captain seats done in leather with a double stitch
• Nu Image gauge face
  

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