To the casual observer, a truck and boat headed for the local water hole appears like a vacation they're missing out on. With the family happily bopping down the highway in a tricked-out SUV and a killer gel scheme riding tail, it can make a person feel like they're missing out if watching from the outside. That is especially true if it's you and your family traveling to see Grandma with your wife and three kids stuffed into a compact car heading one state over without TVs or air conditioning. Time to make some payments...
Brent Riley of Yorba Linda, California, knows exactly how nice it is. He's riding high in the saddle with his 2002 Chevy Suburban and 29-foot Laveycraft Nu Era Offshore. Definitely fun for the whole family, the Suburban is fit with some of everything to keep all happy while on the road. Underneath, a Fabtech 6-inch Performance System lifts the big SUV up enough to clear 35-inch Pro Comp All Terrain tires and 17-inch APP Thunder Forged II wheels. Dual Dirt Logic 2.25 shocks with external reservoirs at each corner keep the bumps under control, while a rear helper 'bag set up from Off-Road Unlimited keeps the weight of the boat leveled when towing. Precision Gear 4.56 cogs reside inside the differentials to bring the towing and drivability back in line from the bigger rubber. Additional fluid and cooling capacity was added to the rear diff by using a Con-Fer aluminum cover. Under the hood is a 496ci, 8.1L V-8 that is healthy from the General but could definitely use some added oomph. Filling that need are a K&N FIPK, Hypertech Power Programmer, and an after-cat exhaust system.
L&G in San Dimas, California, added to the Chevy's persona by going monochromatic with the paint. After removing the rubber side trim, the factory Victory Red was added to the front and rear bumpers, grille, and fender flares, taking the edge off the Sub's cumbersome appearance. Kodiak electric steps and Precision billet grilles round out the visual appeal with help from a billet Bow Tie and chromed tow hooks. Inside, keeping family entertainment was a high priority because beating your children is still illegal. Advance Specialties keeps Brent out of the slammer with a multimedia set that should hold almost anyone's attention. Inside the Unlimited Custom's center console, Advance stuffed a Visonik DVD player up front and Sony Playstation 2 in the rear. Icon monitors (one in the roof and one in each headrest) allow viewing choices for any rear-seat passenger. Since viewing anything but navigation while driving is also illegal, Brent's needs are met with a 2000-watt Kicker audio system hidden in the factory spaces and under the rear seat.
Once at the water, it's time to roll in the double-axle Extreme trailer and dump the 29-foot Nu Era Offshore into the drink. Standing at the helm, all control of the boat is handled by the best. If you were allowed to drive this V-bottom, you would find a Bluewater mechanical trim indicator, Garmin GPS, Livorsi Platinum gauges (including GPS speedo), Livorsi controls, and drop-out seat bolsters. Definitely what the doctor ordered. This Laveycraft open-bow is powered by a stage three Whipple-blown Mercury HP500EFI thumping out 750 horse-power. Turning the supercharged rotations into prop-twisting motion is a Teague Platinum outdrive steered with Imco's dual hydraulic rams. Top speed is at the 80mph mark. With a Suburban full of sound, it's only right that the boat gets to rock too. Onboard is an MTX system with a truck-matching 2000 watts. Water is a harsh environment, and metal needs protection from the elements. The boat's Eddie Marine stainless and billet aluminum trim, vents, and mounts were powdercoated in translucent pewter to keep the cleanup short and longevity high.
Across the highways, byways, and waterways Brent has it all covered. A little stereo here and a little stereo there mixed with some DVDs, a Sony PS2, and TVs. So next time you are wadded up with the family doing the drive from hell and you see Brent drive by with the A/C blowing, stereo blaring, and "Need for Speed" playing out of the Playstation, go ahead and be jealous because we are too.