Think back to whatever it was that you were driving when you were 19 years old. If you are anything like us, odds are it wasn't even in the same league as Dan Demello's Silverado. We spotted Dan's regular cab at our Havasu Havoc show and gave it a good once-over. We have long been proponents of regular cab shortbed trucks, and the reasons are simple: they're lighter, quicker, cheaper, and they got the look. Dan's Silverado just looked right to us and we couldn't pass it up.
Starting with a 4.8L-powered '06 Silverado, Dan and his friends undertook the suspension on their own. In the rear, a KP Components cantilevered six-link uses Slam Specialties 'bags to tuck the 22-inch Foose wheels, while a Watts linkage keeps the rear end centered. For just the right look, Dan flared each bedside 2 inches to make just enough room for the wheels to clear. Up front, more Slam Specialties 'bags were used with the stock spindles, KYB shocks, and DJM control arms. The factory tie rods were reused after being flipped. To complete the low, sleek look Dan was going for, the tailgate was shaved and a roll pan was welded in. Escalade door handles provide a cleaner look-without shaving them completely off. At the nose of the truck, the lower bumper cover was smoothed and painted and a T-Rex billet grille insert was bolted on. The last few touches included smoked taillights and smoothed and painted mirrors, a theme that was continued inside the Silverado. Finally, the truck was painted using DuPont Black and fine Silver Birch by the crew at Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas.