Overall, the truck has 16 inches of lift. The wheels are 22x14-inch KMC Diesels and were the tallest, widest size available, providing the wide track and aggressive looks Cochran was after. He says the 40x15.50R22 Nitto Mud Grapplers are a little loud, but they provide a great ride and it took less than 2 ounces to balance them.
With gearing strong enough to win any pull-off, Cochran turned his attention to the 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel, equipping it with a K&N air intake, a 4-inch RBP exhaust, and a Hypertech programmer. On the dyno, the programmer added about 100 hp, with the intake and exhaust adding another 15 hp each. Power at the flywheel is claimed to be right around 500 hp, with about 400 hp at the wheels. The Allison five-speed automatic transmission was modified with a Mag-Hytech aluminum transmission pan that holds two more quarts of ATF. It helps keep the transmission cool, and the structural pan adds strength to the case. Cochran says the drivetrain is a dynamite combination, and it's no problem to spin all four of the 40-inch tires.
We told you the truck had surprises in store. The customizing process took an unusual turn for a vehicle this strong. With enough horsepower and torque to tow Gibraltar into the North Atlantic, the truck has a softer side, pampering its occupants with a plush interior and a world-class entertainment system.
Although there were several hundred vehicles at that show we mentioned in Orlando, Cochran's truck was the one that took Best Interior. Once you scale the heights (thanks to the electrically retractable running boards from AMP Research) and arrive in the cockpit, you understand why.
 The cabin in this ultrastrong...  The cabin in this ultrastrong truck is surprisingly luxurious. |  The custom fiberglass console...  The custom fiberglass console runs from the dash to the sub box located in a hole between the cab and bed. All four bucket seats are fully powered, even down to the adjustable lumbar support. |  Open the bed of this rugged...  Open the bed of this rugged truck and you'll see a collection of eight stacked Kicker amplifiers pumping out more than 6,000 watts. |
The first surprise is a thoroughly untrucklike interior with individual bucket seats-two up front and two in the rear-upholstered by Barbara's Bus and Coach in Clermont, Florida. Headrests were eliminated, and the stock seatbelts were removed and replaced with five-point shoulder harnesses. The stereo begins with a Clarion VRX745VD flip-face head unit that controls the system and adds the first monitor. A custom-built center console with free-flowing armrests separates driver and passenger and holds two 8-inch video monitors along with all the electrical switches for the stereo system.
With a Clarion flip-face head...
With a Clarion flip-face head unit controlling the system, mids and highs are handled by 16 Kicker component speakers and four 12-inch Kicker subs. Screens front and back, as well as in the dashboard, provide lots of entertainment options no matter where passengers are seated.
With some help from Audio Performance Solutions in Clermont, Cochran created an extensive package that fills the cab with concert-hall sound. All four doors feature fiberglass enclosures that house multiple component sets. Both front doors have two Kicker 8-inch midbass drivers and two 6-inch component sets with the enclosure itself wrapped in blue suede. The rear doors follow a similar pattern, with three 6-inch component sets upholstered to match. Another pair of 6-inch component sets were mounted in the kick panels. Look over your shoulder at the separated rear buckets, and you'll find another surprise. In the opening between the seats, there are four 12-inch Kicker Solo X subs in a mirrored enclosure, giving the appearance of a wall loaded with a dozen booming subs.
A hole cut between the cab and the bed accommodates the enclosure and is backlit with neon. As unique as the cabin is, the pickup bed continues the surprises. Dropping the tailgate and raising the tonneau cover reveals a collection of eight stacked Kicker amplifiers with four 1200.1 powering the subs and the other four 400.2s energizing the front stage. Five batteries handle the electrical requirements of the system with three Stinger SP1700s located in the bed and two Optima Red Tops under the hood. Dual 240-amp alternators from HO Alternators keep everything fully charged. Even though the sub vent is almost 10 feet from the windshield where sound is measured, the booming bass in this competitive truck registers an awesome SPL number of 155 dB.
With power, suspension, and interior complete, body mods were next. The tailgate was shaved, and the handle was repositioned inside. Door handles were replaced with Escalade units, the factory grille was swapped for a billet unit, and all emblems and moldings were scrapped. The front valance that houses the running lights was painted to match, and the '02 truck uses '03 taillights for a cleaner look. The front turn signals were replaced with clear corners, and 26 police strobes were added to the truck. The factory Dark Metallic Gray is accented with 18 neon tubes at night.