If Cadillac were to pour their resources into giving an '02 Escalade EXT a top-quality audio system, it might look a lot like Shuqualak, Mississippi, native Hal Jenkins' pearl white pride and joy. Who are we kidding, Cadillac would never have the guts to lay running board on 24s! Hal started his Escalade project because of all of the things the Escalade already had going for it from the factory. It had bold looks, a coil-link suspension, and a luxurious interior. Hal, with the help from some talented individuals, was going to take each of the Escalade's strengths and amplify them.
If you read Truckin' magazine on a regular basis, then Ekstensive Metalworks is a familiar name. Known for their functional and creative suspensions, Hal knew they'd be up to the task of dropping his Cadillac and he trusted his truck to their expertise. Bill Carlton and his crew built custom control arms and a rack and pinion steering system for the front, while the rear called for a notch and three-link. Hal had his mind set on 24x10-inch Lexani Roma wheels and 305/35R24 Pirelli Scorpion Zero rubber, so the rear end was narrowed two inches per side and wheeltubs were built to accommodate the extra width. After the 2600lb Firestone 'bags were plumbed with GC 450 valves and both Viair 480 compressors were wired up, the Escalade was reborn, laying running board and tucking plenty of wheel into the fenders.
The matching interior was the work of Southern Upholstery and Twin States Body Shop, both in Meridian. Southern Upholstery covered the seats in shell leather with cream ostrich inserts and Eli Griffin at Twin States Body Shop smoothed and painted the dash, the amps, the subwoofer trim, and pretty much anything else that's pearl white. The final accents include a billet steering wheel and door handles. The finished look is one of muted off-white and light brown with just a few wood and polished metal accents that looks right at home inside a Cadillac.