Balancing Act - 2001 GMC 2500 HD Crew Cab

The 8-inch suspension lift is a one-off design with a lot of cool tech. It was designed by Mark Turner, and features a number of neat ideas like the non-torsion-bar-drop technology. The secret to this is that the custom front torsion-bar bracketry keeps the torsion bar in the factory position. You'll also notice the lack of support bars protruding from the front suspension. This is possible because the front skidplate acts as a structural support for the taller suspension. Ultimately, eliminating the support bars and keeping the torsion bars mounted high means the GMC has excellent rampover/ground clearance characteristics.

Red and grey leather Katzkins seat covers, custom door panels, and a 1/8-inch Fat Wrap red and grey leather steering-wheel wrap help to accentuate the GMC's interior look. Other interior mods include controls for the rear Firestone airbag system, a trailer brake controller, and a Premier/Phoenix Gold/Infinity/Rockford Fosgate audio system with Pioneer steering-wheel controls.

The rear AAM axle sports the factory limited-slip differential, but it has been regeared with 5.13:1 Precision Gears. These lower gears help offset the big 40-inch-diameter Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radial tires. The axle is bolted to the stock leaf springs, which have been modified with a pair of 1.5-inch-lift add-a-leaf kits and 5-inch lift blocks. Since the truck is routinely used to pull trailers, Felzien added a pair of Firestone airbags that can be inflated to level the truck when towing. Finally, damping duties are provided via a pair of Fox Shox remote-reservoir shocks, and they're bolted in the stock mounting locations.