What's the point in building a full-blown show truck that will probably spend more time in the garage than on the street and having an average looking and performing daily driver to fetch the groceries in? There is really no need for two different trucks, especially when valuable time and effort can go into creating just one, all-encompassing, trophy pulling and errand running custom. Casey Ridinger, from Marion, Mississippi, is a firm believer of streamlining his projects as much as possible, which is evident in the final results of his ground-leveled, Duramax-equipped '04 Chevy 3500.
In order to bring the 3500 down into the weeds, Casey employed Jamey Jordan and Don Bracken from Innovative Customs, in Meridian, Mississippi, to first install a set of Ekstensive Metalworks upper and lower control arms along with Slam Specialties RE-8 'bags. At the rear end, 'Big' John Adkins, from Southaven, Mississippi, then attached a Suicide Doors triangulated super pivot four-link to the Chevy's frame. An Oasis XD2000 compressor, two 8-gallon Suicide Doors tanks, four 1/2-inch SMC valves, and 3/8-inch stainless airlines regulate the new suspension system's air pressure with the quickness. To get the truck to lay as low as possible, a stock-floor body drop was deemed necessary and preformed while the 3500 was a temporary resident at Innovative Customs. In order to protect and preserve the frame modifications, Jamey sprayed a few coats of Por-15, which seals the metal from the elements and corrosive road gunk that builds up from everyday driving. A set of 24x81/4-inch Diesel Wheels rollers and 305/35R24 Toyo Proxes ST-II tires have been bolted onto the heavy-duty Chevy. Being tucked up under each fender, the wheels have surely served as competent conversation starters.
To really get onlookers talking, Casey took his truck's Duramax 6.6L V-8 diesel engine and increased its performance by adding dual 12-inch Flex-A-Lite cooling fans, an Edge Performance programmer, a Jamey Jordan original cold air intake system, and a machined turbo mouth, which was skillfully fabricated by Sam Smith. Jamey also fabbed the 3500's 4-inch exhaust system, which boasts a rumbling RBP muffler. Since it was necessary to create new front wheel tubs, the computer and fuse relay box for the Allison transmission were relocated underneath the rear seat and two Optima blue top batteries were mounted to the side of the rear framerails. This seems like somewhat of a chore to undertake for an average daily driver, but to Casey, it made all the sense in the world to do things right with his dual-purpose heavy hauler.