Nothing is cooler than seeing a lowered Crew Cab dualie with a mile-long enclosed trailer in tow blazing down the interstate. There is something about a low, long dualie that entices people, even those who are not truck enthusiasts. A low-slung dualie that lays frame gives an illusion of being lower than possible. The initial purpose of a dualie is to serve as the ultimate workhorse, with a greater payload and towing capacity than other trucks.
Doug Ganschow, a tinsmith from Montrose, Michigan, has been an avid custom truck, street rod, lowrider, and drag racing enthusiast for the past 20 years. Needing a tow vehicle for his business, Doug purchased an '02 Chevrolet 3500 Silverado Crew Cab Dualie. Before its first tank of gas was consumed, Doug delivered it to the team at Pro Fabricating in Montrose. Pro Fab is responsible for the majority of the modifications. Starting with the undercarriage, an Air Lift Dualie Air Kit lowered the front 10 inches by replacing the stock control arms with Air Lift upper and lower control arms with 2B-8 airbags and Reflex gas shocks. To protect the undercarriage while 'railing, a skidplate was bolted up to the crossmember. The rear suspension was lowered by the crew at Pro Fab by removing the factory leaf springs, then installing the Air Lift four-link system, Air Lift lR-9 rolling lobe, andAir Lift 'bags with 1/4-inch-diameter port valves. The rear framerails were C-notched and bridged, and a Panhard bar was installed to eliminate any lateral movement. The four-link suspension bars and Panhard bar were chrome-plated by Component Coating in Bridgeport, Michigan. The Air Lift rear suspension system drops the rear 14 inches from stock, allowing the framerails to be grounded. Doug's dualie rolls on a set of Foose Spank Dualie 16x6-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler LT215/85R16 rubber.
The choice of power is an eight-cylinder Duramax Diesel 6.6L, which delivers plenty of torque and power for towing. To help increase airflow, a K&N Air Charger intake system was installed. Pro Fab sculpted the engine cover, which was painted by Mike Brabrant. The intercooler tube was coated with Cermakrome by Component Coating. On the other end, a Gibson Exhaust system helps deliver greater horsepower and torque, increasing the exhaust gas flow.
To achieve a more aggressive profile, a Pro Glass ram-air hood was installed. Stull Industries is responsible for the Billet grille flanked by a pair of Projector headlights. The pair of factory rear taillights had their black trim removed to give them a more sporty look. A steel-grafted roll pan smoothes the rear end's complexion. To give the door handles a stealthy look, they were simply painted red. To keep an eye on rearview traffic, a pair of Street Scene sport mirrors were installed. The front factory bumper license plate holes were welded up. The Pro Fab crew cut out a pair of airflow vents in the bumper then filled them with billet bars to match the Stull grille by Pro Fab. To lower the front end's leading edge, East Coast Customs installed a front spoiler. A pair of side panel skirts were fabricated to achieve a lower-than-low look and mask the dualie's framerails. Then, the front fender flares were removed. A fiberglass tonneau hugs the bed framerails to smooth the dualie's tail edge and increase fuel mileage The talented team at Bewley's Body Works, in Indianapolis, painted the top half of the truck black, bordered by airbrushed tusk-like graphics.