2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD - Stealth Mode

The custom boat industry has to be one of the most competitive businesses around. With so many companies building quality crafts these days, it can be difficult for a consumer to choose what company's sticker they want to put on the back of their truck. One company in particular, which never has a problem staying busy building boats, is Ultra Custom Boats of El Cajon, California. Ultra's owner and president, John West, is a detail-oriented individual who will not let any boat leave the factory with even the slightest flaw. It is that commitment to quality that keeps Ultra owners coming back. With an appreciation for all customers' business, whether you purchase a 21-foot jet boat or a 27- to 28-foot deep V, John and his crew of professional gelcoaters and rigging experts ensure that the same high level of quality exists on every hull that comes out of the mold. One of Ultra's creations was the 28-foot Stealth, featuring a double-stepped bottom and a wide array of available engine packages. To show the custom boating public just how cool this boat could be, Ultra built a display boat, dropped it on a triple-axle Extreme custom trailer, hooked it up to a lifted Chevy HD, and took the whole package to the 2003 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to be displayed in the Performance Marine Pavilion section.

While the 28-foot Stealth was in the mold, John got busy creating the ultimate tow vehicle, starting with an '04 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax diesel. The truck was driven straight from the dealership to PG Series Trucks in El Cajon, where owners Paul Garnett and Kevin Smith installed the mandatory suspension lift, and oversized rims and rubber. Putting the HD at a respectable yet practical stance was a 6-inch Fabtech suspension lift with triple-hoop Fox reservoir shocks used to damp the ride up front. Completing the cranked-up stance were 20x10-inch Boze Alloys Fatal 8 wheels encased in Nitto LT325/60R20 All Terrain tires. To assist with the passenger's entrance into and exit out of the extra tall HD, a set of Kodiak steps were installed. Eliminating the need to frequent too many gas stations, a 62-gallon fuel cell from Supertank was installed to make those river trips as quick as possible, because let's face it, when you're headed to the river, the last thing you want to do is stop for gas.

Switching the focus to the exterior and undercarriage, John had most of the suspension chrome-plated, and the driveshaft polished by Pacific Plating. Up front, a T-Rex billet grille replaced the factory mesh grille and custom graphics from Triton Imaging, also in El Cajon, set off the rocker panels. In order to protect the bed from unsightly dings and dents, a thick coat of Vortex was applied at Ultra Custom Boats before the truck was used for any river excursions. After the exterior restyling was complete, it was time for a concert hall-quality sound system to enhance the ultimate driving experience.