If there’s one thing you can say about people who love boats and the boating lifestyle, it’s that they have some spare money to spend. While we were out at the recent 2016 Desert Storm and Poker Run in Lake Havasu, Arizona, it was common to hear people walking up to one another and trying to figure out a price on this boat or that truck.

Vendors like US Specialty Vehicles (USSV) were out there as well, showcasing some of the hottest new creations to come out of the diesel world. In this case, it was the Rhino GX, an SUV crafted from a Ford Super Duty chassis and then spruced up to look like something straight out of the U.S. Special Forces. On hand was Ernie Salazar, who was able to give us the lowdown on this black beauty and how it was changing the game for luxury diesel vehicles.

What are we looking at here?

Ernie Salazar: This is the Rhino GX, made by US Specialty Vehicles out of Rancho Cucamonga, California. USSV is all about building vehicles that are different. In the case of the GX, it starts with a two-door, Ford F-450 chassis and we then go to work giving it a military appearance that stands out from the crowd, along with a luxury interior to boot.

How long have these GXs been in production?

ES: They’ve been in production for about four years now. We’ve made close to 300 vehicles to date, a lot of them going overseas to places like China, which is our biggest market. We also have sold these in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Thailand. We just started marketing in the United States and we’ve gotten a great reaction so far. We feel we’re going to do really well with these here.

What does it cost to have the GX treatment done to an F-450?

ES: You’re looking at about $220-240,000 depending on gas or diesel, and some of the options inside. This one here is a 6.7-liter diesel, 2016 model year. It’s got suede headliner, leather seating, and it seats five passengers, with options up to seven. It also comes with TVs and an upgraded Alpine sound system, as well as hydraulic rear suspension. It’s fully loaded and can tow up to 14,000 pounds.

We heard somebody comment on armoring the GX, making it even more like a military vehicle. Is that possible?

ES: There is an option if somebody wants it armored. USSV does not offer that option, but it can be armor-plated, of course. Doing so will add about 1,800 pounds to the vehicle, and it already weighs about 9,800 pounds. But it’s okay to do this because we’re still under the 14,000-pound rating that the chassis will handle. So, yes, it can be armored.

Are there any other add-ons or modifications that USSV offers?

ES: We do coilovers with Fox shocks and a full hydraulic system in the rear, like I mentioned. It’s fully adjustable and has anti-sway, and can elevate or lower the vehicle four to five inches.

Learning more about USSV and its Rhino GX only increased our desire to take one out and play with it here in Southern California. Being somewhat close to their headquarters, it’s possible that might just happen, too. Check out more from USSV on its website, and stay tuned to Diesel Army for more of our coverage of the 2016 Desert Storm and Poker Run.