Transformation of a 2021 Cadillac Escalade into a Showstopper

Building by the Golden Rule

As fifth-generation Escalades started to show up at dealerships in the fall of 2020, Carlos Herrera was already making plans to purchase one of these newly redesigned SUVs. Carlos was on the hunt, and after searching around the nation, he found just the right one to start his new build. After bringing his new 2021 Cadillac Escalade home, his main intentions were to give it the full “Phat Phabz” treatment. Previously, Carlos had his fourth-generation Escalade bodydropped on 26-inch billets. This time around, a bodydrop was still on the table, but with a larger set of 30-inch billet wheels.

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After dropping off his brand-new Escalade at Phat Phabz headquarters in Choctaw, Oklahoma, Jake Mckiddie and his crew there began the transformation to make a one-off custom Caddy. This is Jake’s specialty as he has built many trucks for clients, including Carlos, that have graced these very pages, as well as many high-profile builds that debut at some of the top car shows in the country like Lone Star Throwdown. Speaking of LST, this was the target show where the guys planned to debut the fresh build. So, time was of the essence to make sure it was built in time.

After bringing his new 2021 Cadillac Escalade home, his main intentions were to give it the full ‘Phat Phabz’ treatment.

Grand Unveiling

In true fashion with Jake’s previous builds, this Escalade was built without anyone knowing what was being done to it. As the 2021 LST show began, Carlos’ new build sat hidden beneath a large truck cover. As the suspense built among the crowd that had formed to see just what the crew had created, the cover came off. There lying flat on the ground was Carlos’ 2021 Escalade on a set of 30-inch MTW billet wheels. Carlos and the crowd oohed and aahed with excitement.

From there, Carlos then took it to truck shows all over the country. At one point, he even had it vinyl-wrapped in satin white to try and trick some of his friends. On a side note, with the XL size of that Escalade, could you imagine how much vinyl it took to cover that beast of a machine?

To finish off the interior, a new system was installed to give it a little extra bass in the back.

Pass the Keys

Down the road in 2023, Carlos had some new plans and talked about selling his Escalade. After a few conversations with Jake, the keys were handed over. Jake had a few new additions up his sleeve for it as well as putting it in the upcoming 2023 SEMA show.

A “Golden” theme came to the Escalade with a new set of 30×9 and 30×12 JTX Forged Vex wheels powdercoated in a shiny gold color—something that has not been done before on a set of 30-inch JTX wheels. To go along with the gold wheels, the Cadillac factory badges were also wrapped in gold. To finish off the interior, a new system was installed to give it a little extra bass in the back.

It was finally time for Jake to drive his Escalade from Choctaw all the way to Las Vegas for the 2023 SEMA show. Once in Vegas, the SUV was cleaned up from the long haul and driven into the show hall to be displayed in the JTX Forged wheel booth.