2001 Custom Cadillac Escalade - Escalayed

When Matt Spence arrives to an event, he arrives in style. Problem is, with a custom '57 Chevy, a CTS-V, an Expedition, an insane Chevy dualie (July '05 cover truck), and this sick Escalade, Matt has a hard time choosing which baby he'll be driving. Odds are, however, the keys to this '04 Escalade will be snatched up and the roar of 500 hp and 4000 watts of tunes will be fired up. Opting to build the world's sickest Cadillac, Matt had a huge task to tackle and spared no expense in the creation of his latest ride. After all, it's just money.

Leaving the dealership in Houston with a brand new Escalade, Matt drove the truck straight to the premier fabricator in Texas, Bill Carlton, owner of Ekstensive Metal Works. After discussing several scenarios, Matt firmly applied his wallet to the shop board, and the buildup of the lowest Escalade was underway. Removing the body from the frame, the factory steel was discarded and a new frame was fabbed using mandrel-bent 2x4-inch boxed steel with tubular body and transmission mounts. Up front, the crew at Ekstensive built custom upper and lower control arms with new rack-and-pinion steering incorporating slick machined tie rod ends. In the rear, a famous Ekstensive two-link was installed after the rear end was narrowed 7 inches using Moser axles. Firestone 26C airbags allow plenty of adjustment and are filled by two air tanks mounted inside the frame rails using G.C. 450 valves and two Thomas 337 compressors. Now that the frame was on the ground, it was time to ensure the body would lay with the huge wheels Matt had in mind for this project.

While still in the capable hands of the Ekstensive team, the Escalade underwent severe metal surgery. Up front, the fenderwells were completely removed and the hood notched, incorporating custom hinges with gas struts. In the rear is where the bodywork talent can truly be appreciated. Both rear doors were cut to accommodate the new bulge for the big wheels, and both latches were modified, with new panels and fenderwells created. Inside the Escalade, the second row of seats were scrapped in favor of smaller bucket seats, giving the rear cabin the extra 6 inches of space needed. With the bodywork complete, the body was installed onto the frame and the huge 26x10-inch Jesse James wheels were bolted on with Kumho tires. Aired out, the Cadillac easily swallowed the wheels and gently applied the body onto the shop floor. High-fives all around, it was now time to add some power to turn those massive chunks of aluminum.

Under the modified hood is a Vortec 6.0L V-8 now pumping out 500 hp thanks to a modified LS-1 intake and fuel rails, intercooled Pro Charger supercharger, and Frank Peden-installed Street and Performance wiring harness and ECU. After Frank finished the wiring, Paul Brown molded a CTS-V engine cover complete with a skull. Flat-out hauling, Matt was content to cruise his custom until one day he decided to take it to the next level.