Colin Mecey's 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4

There are those who choose a short-wheelbase 4×4 for the trail, and then there are those who give the nod to a full-size rig. Colin Mecey is the latter, and his 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD may be big, but it has proven its agility on the Rubicon Trail. In fact, Colin reports that the truck had no body damage when it emerged from the trail after the three-day run.

A House Purchase Spurred The Silverado’s Build

The trail-prowling part of the Silverado’s history began with the purchase of a house. Colin says, “I had it as a tow rig and sold my 2020 long-travel Tacoma for a bigger down payment on a new house. I started driving the Silverado as my daily, and after about two weeks, I couldn’t drive a stock vehicle.” Thus began a yearlong build that would transform the truck from a tow rig to a nimble trail truck.

Duramax Power Routed Through A Super Duty Transfer Case

Powering the Silverado is an LB7 Duramax turbodiesel, which has been prodded with several modifications. The 6.6-liter V8 features an AFE Power Momentum HD Cold Air Intake System with a Pro 10R filter, a FASS fuel filter and lift pump kit, and an EFILive tune. Exhaust exits through an MBRP 4-inch-diameter stainless-steel system, and the last few inches of the pipe have been removed with a Sawzall to improve the truck’s departure angle.

Power is routed through the Allison 1000 transmission that is equipped with a Dmax Store five- to six-speed conversion and a Fleece Performance TapShifter. Bolted to the transmission is a Transfer Case Express–modified Ford NP273 transfer case.

IFS No More

Up front is a Ford Super Duty–sourced Dana 60 axle. It features Yukon Gear & Axle 4.88:1 gearing and an ARB Air Locker to ensure power gets to both wheels. The custom suspension is a radius arm setup and includes Fox 2.5 coilovers. Custom PSC Motorsports steering makes it easy to point the big 39-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires mounted on Method Bead Grip wheels.

Out back, the stock AAM 11.5-inch axle has been upgraded with Yukon Gear & Axle 4.88 gears and an ARB Air Locker, just like the front axle. The rear suspension includes Deaver Suspension leaf springs and Air Lift airbags with floating cups.

Body Mods Galore

Colin made some strategic exterior modifications to improve the truck’s off-road capability and reduce the risk of body damage. Up front, he removed the front bumper, which greatly improved the approach angle. A Warn ZEON 12-S winch resides on a custom winch mounting plate, which also holds a quartet of mounts for his aftermarket LED fog lights. Protecting the rocker panels is a set of Solid Fab Works rock sliders.

Out back is a slick flatbed that Colin and Solid Fab Works are building together. These photos show the temporary configuration used for the Rubicon Trail. Hoops served as a mounting point for the CVT rooftop tent, and a canopy helped keep gear and the Dometic CFX fridge-freezer out of the elements. The rear bumper includes a two-inch hitch receiver, and there’s a rear-mounted Warn ZEON 12-S winch.

Inside The Beast

Inside, modifications include an Alpine 10-inch floating screen mounted flush in the dash, along with a stout audio system. There’s also a custom 3D-printed upper console that houses a Rugged Radios two-way radio and an ARB LINX controller.