Look closely, no closer, and you'll know that the owner of this truck is truly a man of mystery, as he has turned a stock work truck into a show-winning custom hauler. Synonymous with Truckin' are full custom 1/2-ton trucks that have undergone an extensive transformation from factory fresh to owner-inspired street machines. Heavy duties are usually limited to lifted Ford Super Duties towing a gorgeous boat to the river, but in the case of Michael Alack, of Hammond, Louisiana, this beefed-up Bow Tie received some wild attention.
Owners of Chevy 1500 HD trucks usually purchase the truck's rights to tow, haul, or carry a work crew around to multiple work sites. However, Michael wanted to be one of the first people in the country to have a Chevy 1500 HD layin' frame and tuckin' 20s. Built on a heavy-duty suspension, the task of dropping the larger 1500 was one Michael did not take lightly. Relying on experience and professionalism, he dropped off the HD to Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston, Texas, where the order to lower the rig was placed. There, the four-door truck's suspension was removed and replaced with a set of large Firestone 2600C airbags, complete with the stock spindles. Because the stock spindles were used, Ekstensive fabricated custom upper and lower control arms to assist in the HD's lowering and shortened the front sway bar. Handling the chores of keeping the frontend floating, KYB adjustable shocks were bolted onto the front of the Chevy. The rear leaf springs were removed, and another set of Firestone 2600C airbags was bolted into place along with a trick two-link, also created by Ekstensive. Plumbing for the airbags are 1/2-inch valves, with 3/8-inch lines receiving air from two Firestone compressors filled by two nitrogen tanks in the bed and one mounted under the bed. Now the HD was low, but Michael found no joy in tucking the eight-lug factory wheels.
After an extensive search for the perfect wheels, he snatched up a set of Intro Twisted Blade 8 wheels measuring an HD-like 20x8.5 inches. Wrapping the billets are a set of performance skins from BFGoodrich measuring P245/40ZR20. Now that the HD had newfound styling, the search for an even more appealing exterior began. Michael added a Suburban LT chrome grille shell with a Trenz billet grille and Suburban paintable door handles, and he painted the top bumper pad, valance, and wiper cowl. Rounding out the exterior modifications are carbon-fiber taillights, a shaved tailgate handle, a Gaylord's lid, and Street Scene mirrors. Shane Gibbs was recruited to paint the Bow Tie hauler, and Michael went with a classy and elegant color for his custom rig. Forest Green Metallic was coated all over the HD, and it was finished off with endless coats of clear. Now the Chevy HD was fooling unsuspecting and nave onlookers wondering how Michael purchased a four-door 1500 truck.
Inside the mystery machine, Michael had Shane paint the dash bezel and door trim, adding even more elegance to the all-leather HD interior. Also added to the interior were an Escalade cluster, white-face air gauges, and richly tinted windows by Hanks Tinting and Performance. Now Michael could watch from the inside while he turned heads, without onlookers seeing him laugh while they tried to figure out his truck. Yes, it's a 1500, and yes, it's an HD, but with Michael's unique vision, the truck is now a trophy-winning custom rig cruising the streets of Louisiana.